I might have found a new obsession and no one is stopping me from having more and more bubble tea recipes popping up here! Simona is glad I joined the club, so I can’t wait to share this Strawberry Milk Tea because it’s a bomb! Rest assured, it’s the best pick-me-up for summer and also the most delicious way to use strawberries. 

You know we are huge Strawberry fans over here, call it the best flavour around or because it’s one of those fruits we can’t get enough of. The good thing is that if you are lovers of strawberries as much as we are, you will find plenty of recipes from mini strawberry cakes to strawberry lemonade, sorbet and even delicious strawberry pie. Therefore this homemade strawberry boba tea recipe is only adding to a legacy over here. 

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What is boba tea? 

Boba is now a term that is used widely to both names the drink and the tapioca pearls that are the distinguishing element of this drink that originates in Taiwan. In recent years, both drink and boba shops are widely spread in almost every country. Tapioca balls, also known as pearls, come from the spongy part of the cassava root and when cooked, it gives them their typical chewy texture.

Boba tea, also known as Milk tea, consists of tapioca pearls, steeped tea – it can go from black tea to green tea or oolong tea,  milk – usually dairy milk, condensed milk, powdered milk or plant-based, plus any toppings you can think of. From the most popular matcha milk tea to brown sugar milk tea and another popular flavour is sweet strawberry milk tea, which is what we will make today. 

Are strawberries good for you?

They are indeed! As usual, they need to be eaten in moderation, but this aggregate fruit contains a lot of good things. Between the many strawberries are:

• a great source of vitamin C;
• a great source of manganese;
• rich in antioxidants and plant compounds;
• may lower blood sugar levels;
• may help with heart health;
• may imp[rove vascular function;
• may reduce inflammation;
• may help prevent cancer. (Healthline)

What ingredients do I need for this homemade strawberry milk tea recipe?

This bubble tea recipe requires simple ingredients but it’s packed with flavour and sweetness for sure! You will need homemade syrup to give your boba tea a distinctive strawberry flavour, which is made with strawberries, water and sugar. So nothing too complicated to find! Then you will need boba pearls, we went for black tapioca pearls, green tea bags, water, ice and milk.

Can I substitute anything in this easy strawberry milk tea recipe? 

 We opted for whole milk which is what we had in hand, but this would work wonderfully with oat milk, almond milk, soy milk or coconut milk. Any plant-based milk will work well with this. Just pick any type of milk you prefer and it will make this drink even more delicious. We used black boba pearls, but there are plenty of kinds of tapioca pearls you can use.

 You could try the strawberry-flavoured ones, which you will find at any Asian grocery store. Or white ones, smaller ones or popping boba, it very much depends on what you can find or if you have a favourite in this instance.

We used fresh strawberries to make the syrup, but you could also opt for store-bought strawberry milk if you want, but we only tried it with real strawberries, so it might be different from what the picture shows. We used green tea bags, but you could also use black tea, oolong or even earl grey gets used in some recipes. 

How do I make the homemade strawberry syrup?

I think making simple syrup has become my forte and one of my favourite parts of recipes right now! We have made so many different ones like lavender simple syrup, chocolate simple syrup, brown sugar simple syrup, mint simple syrup and blueberry simple syrup to mention some. You will start off with water, sugar and strawberries. In a small pan add 3/4 cup of sliced strawberries, 2/3 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of cold water. 

I usually do equal parts of everything, but this strawberry syrup needed a much thicker consistency for this recipe. Mash the strawberries with a fork and take everything to a boil on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Turn it off the heat, strain it and pour it into an airtight container. You can store it for up to two weeks in the fridge. 

What equipment will I need for this strawberry bubble tea recipe? 

You won’t really need much for this recipe. You will start with the syrup, so you will need a small saucepan, a fork and a strainer. Some recipes call for a potato masher, so use whatever makes it easier for you. Then you will need a large glass and a boba straw. In case you don’t have one or want to wait before investing in one, you can use a spoon to enjoy the chewy boba pearls. 

How do you make strawberry bubble tea?

You will start off by making the strawberry syrup and cooking your boba pearls following the package instructions. Different boba pearls require different timings, you can find quick cooking boba around, but in any case, make sure to follow the recipe you are given. 

Next steep two green tea bags for three minutes in 2/3 of a cup of water, then get rid of the bags and let the liquid cool to room temperature. When everything is cooked, you are ready to assemble your easy strawberry bubble tea.

In a tall glass add 1/4 of a cup of black tapioca pearls, the ice and the tea. Then add the strawberry syrup to your glass and lastly add the milk. As our glass was quite big, you might need more or less milk, so taste before adding any more. Pop a boba straw in there and enjoy your homemade strawberry boba tea! 

What does strawberry milk tea taste like? 

Sweet! The first note you will get in this strawberry milk tea recipe is the sweetness of the strawberries and then the intense strawberry flavor that is the main character of this drink. It’s a refreshing and delicious choice for summer or when you need a pick-me-up. The chewy tapioca pearls with their brown sugar syrup add another layer to the drink and make it the best fruity drink with added texture.  But thanks to the tea and milk, the whole drink is well-balanced and not overpowering.

Does strawberry milk tea have caffeine?

It does indeed! Green tea still contains caffeine, even if it’s a common myth that green tea is completely decaffeinated. So unless stated on the packet you are using, it will contain caffeine. If you are after a decaf option, swap the tea, you could get a black, green or oolong tea that is decaf and still get a delicious strawberry boba tea!