People went crazy over this strange yet orgasmic Asian drink that swept the nation last year and the hype is nowhere near over. Although the drink is most popular in California, chains such as Kung Fu Tea and Come Buy are popping up on the East Coast.
A good bubble tea is never too far away but I was sorely lacking the transportation so decided to make my own using The Boba Guys’ recipe over Spring break.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 3-4
Ingredients:
5 bags green tea
½ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¾ cup dried boba
4 tablespoons honey
1 cup half-and-half (regular, almond, and sweetened condensed milk are viable substitutes)
11 cups water
Photo by Austin Hake
Directions:
1. To make the simple syrup add 1 cup of water, the white sugar, and the brown sugar to a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil while stirring, then let simmer until all the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
Photo by Austin Hake
3. Boil 6 cups of water and then add the dried boba.
Photo by Austin Hake
4. Stir the boba until they rise to the surface, then cover with the lid and let it sit boiling for 5 minutes. (The timing depends on the boba used, so be sure to check the package for instructions)
5. Drain the water and rinse off the boba with cold water.
Photo by Austin Hake
6. Add the boba, 1 cup of simple syrup, and honey in a small bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Photo by Austin Hake
7. To make the tea, heat 4 cups of water, once it starts boiling take it off the heat and add the bags of green tea.
8. Let the tea steep for 8 minutes or to your liking and then cool it in the fridge while you wait for the boba to soak.
9. For the final act, add two ice cubes, 1 cup of tea, ¼ cup of simple syrup, ¼ cup of boba, and ¼ cup of half-and-half to a cocktail shaker (or a cup with a lid) and shake vigorously.
Photo by Austin Hake
10. Pour into a glass, stick in your wide boba straw and enjoy!
Although this recipe is for green pearl milk tea, there are MANY other types such as black tea, oolong tea or any of these cool suggestions.
More info on this heavenly drink: