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    Home Β» Recipes Β» Nonalcoholic Beverages

    Caramel Milk Tea

    Published: May 2, 2023 Β· Modified: Sep 16, 2023 Β· by Puja Verma

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This caramel milk tea is cool, creamy, and indulgently sweet! Steeped black tea is combined with oat milk, crushed ice, and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a refreshing drink made with all vegan ingredients. Enjoy it with or without tapioca pearls!

    Iced caramel milk tea with in a tall glass with boba and stirrer in it.

    This caramel milk tea requires just a handful of ingredients and no fancy equipmentβ€”perfect for a quick, budget-friendly treat. If you love homemade bubble tea, try myΒ chocolate boba for another rich and creamy drink!

    Why I Love This Recipe

    This iced caramel milk tea has the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and refreshing flavorsβ€”and it's so quick to make at home! Everything is done in 3 simple steps and under 10 minutes.

    It’s the perfect treat when you're craving bubble tea but don't love the expensive price tags at tea cafes. Black tea adds a bold, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet caramel, while the oat milk makes it ultra-smooth and creamy. Plus, it’s completely vegan and gluten-free!

    You can customize the sweetness to your liking and even make it with or without boba. Whether you’re looking for a cozy tea moment or a refreshing summer drink, this caramel milk tea hits the spot!

    Ingredient Notes

    Here's a breakdown of everything you'll need to make this milk tea recipe.

    Caramel milk tea ingredients individually laid out with labels.
    • Boba: These chewy tapioca balls add a chewy textural component to milk tea. Feel free to omit them if you prefer!
    • Brown Sugar Syrup: Homemade brown sugar syrup sweetens and adds depth of flavor to the boba.
    • Black Tea: Provides a strong, robust caramel milk tea boba flavor base. If you have access, use loose-leaf black teas like Assam or Ceylon.
    • Caramel Sauce: Adds a rich, indulgent sweetness to the drink. Make your own vegan caramel sauce or use your favorite store-bought dairy-free caramel.
    • Oat Milk: I suggest oat milk as a creamy, dairy-free alternative as it complements the tea and caramel flavors well. Feel free to use other plant-based milk, like cashew or soy.

    Substitutions

    • Boba: You can substitute tapioca pearls with popping boba or fruit jelly.
    • Brown Sugar Syrup: Try agave, simple syrup, or maple syrup as alternatives.
    • Black Tea: You can also try Earl Grey, chai, or jasmine tea for a floral or citrus twist. For a caffeine-free option, use decaffeinated black tea or rooibos tea.
    • Oat Milk: If you can't find oat milk, use soy, coconut, or cashew milk instead.

    How to Make

    This homemade milk tea is super easy to whip up whenever a bubble tea craving strikes! Just follow my tips and tricks for the best results.

    Preparation

    Heat water to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and steep the black tea bag for 5 minutes. Strain and let cool completely before using. I suggest making the tea ahead of time and storing it in the fridge for at least an hour.

    A half full mason jar with tea and tea bag in it.

    Cooking

    Step 1
    Bring the water to a boil and add tapioca pearls. Once they float, cook for another 4-5 minutes until soft but chewy. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Mix with brown sugar syrup and let sit until ready to use.

    A saucepan with water and cooked tapioca boba pearls.
    Cooked boba pearls and brown sugar syrup in bowl.

    Step 2
    Add the boba pearls to the bottom of a glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice, then pour in the black tea, oat milk, and a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce. Enjoy your caramel milk tea with a wide straw if using boba!

    A tall glass with boba and brown sugar syrup at the bottom.
    A tall glass with boba, brown sugar syrup, caramel and crushed ice in it.
    A tall glass with boba, crushed iced and tea in it.
    A tall glass of caramel milk tea.
    A tall glass of caramel milk tea with caramel sauce pouring over it.

    Expert Tip

    For extra creamy caramel milk tea, froth the oat milk before pouring it into the glass. This creates a light, airy texture that makes the drink feel more indulgent.

    If you want to take the flavor to a new level, serve it with a dollop of oat milk whipped cream or coconut whipped cream on top. Also, let the boba sit in the brown sugar syrup for at least a few minutes to enhance their flavor and give them that classic bubble tea taste!

    A tall glass of iced caramel milk tea topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce and boba straw in it.

    Recipe Tips

    • Use Strong Tea: Use good-quality loose-leaf or tea bags for a rich, full-bodied flavor that stands up to the caramel and oat milk.
    • Chill the Tea: Ensure the black tea is completely cooled before assembling the caramel milk tea to avoid melting the ice.
    • Don't Overcook: Keep an eye on the tapioca pearls as they cook (they can quickly become too mushy). They're done when they float in the water!
    • Use a Bubble Tea Straw: For the full bubble tea experience, use a wide-mouthed straw to slurp up the boba and caramel milk tea simultaneously.
    A tall glass of iced caramel milk tea topped with caramel and a boba straw in it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How can I make less sweet caramel milk tea?

    Reduce the caramel sauce and brown sugar syrup until it suits your preference.

    How do I keep boba soft?

    Keep the cooked boba pearls in brown sugar syrup until you're ready to use them. Don’t refrigerate them, as they will harden and become grainy.

    How can I make this drink caffeine-free?

    To make this drink caffeine-free, use caffeine-free or decaffeinated tea as the base of your milk tea.

    Storing

    Bubble tea is best consumed right away for the ideal flavor and boba texture. If you have a little extra milk tea leftover, just follow these tips.

    • Fridge: Store the fully prepared caramel milk tea in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. Strain the tapioca pearls out and keep them in a separate container.
    • Freezer: To chill your next batch, you can freeze caramel milk tea without boba in ice cube trays. I don’t recommend freezing the pearls (it will affect their texture too much).
    • Prep Ahead: Feel free to steep the tea and cook the boba beforehand, then store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble the drink. I suggest keeping boba in the fridge for a maximum of 1-2 days.
    Top view of caramel milk tea topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce and boba straw in it.

    More Vegan Bubble Teas

    • Iced jasmine milk tea with boba in two tall clear glasses next to tapioca and jasmine pearls.
      Jasmine Milk Tea
    • A tall glass of oreo milk tea boba topped with whipped cream, oreo cookie and cookie crumbs.
      Oreo Milk Tea Boba
    • Iced matcha bubble tea in a tall glass with stirrer in it.
      Matcha Bubble Tea
    • Rose milk tea with boba in a serving glass garnished with dried rose petals.
      Rose Milk Tea
    Iced caramel milk tea with a stirrer in it and drizzled with caramel sauce.

    Caramel Milk Tea (Only 5 Ingredients)

    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 10 minutes mins
    Serving Size: 1 person
    Author Puja Verma
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    DESCRIPTION

    This caramel milk tea is cool, creamy, and indulgently sweet! Steeped black tea is combined with oat milk, crushed ice, and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a refreshing drink made with all vegan ingredients. Enjoy it with or without tapioca pearls!

    INGREDIENTS
      

    • ΒΌ cup boba pearls
    • 3 tablespoon brown sugar syrup
    • 1 cup hot water
    • 1 bag black tea
    • 2 tablespoon caramel sauce (vegan)
    • ΒΌ cup oat milk
    • ΒΎ cup crushed ice

    METHOD
     

    • Steep the tea bag in hot water - 180Β°F for 5 minutes. Then strain the tea and cool it down completely.
      Note: Make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using it.
    • To cook boba - In a saucepan, submerge tapioca pearls in boiling water. Cook until pearls float to the top and then cook about another 4-5 minutes. Scoop out one and taste test the texture to make sure they are ready before draining. Next drain and transfer into a bowl.
    • Combine brown sugar syrup with the boba pearls and let it sit till ready to assemble.
    • To assemble: Pour in the boba pearls and brown sugar syrup into the bottom of the glass. Then add the crushed ice, followed by the tea. Next pour in the milk and drizzle over the caramel sauce.
      Optional: Froth the milk before pouring over.

    NOTES

    • Use quality tea: Use good-quality loose-leaf or tea bags for a rich, full-bodied flavor.
    • Adjust the sweetness: You can adjust the brown sugar syrup and vegan caramel sauce to suit your preferences.
    • Cool the tea: Ensure the black tea is completely cooled before assembling the caramel milk tea to avoid melting the ice.
    • Stir before serving: Stir the drink well before sipping it. This will evenly distribute the caramel sauce and oat milk.
    • Bubble tea straw: Use a wide-mouthed straw to slurp up the boba pearls and milk tea at the same time.
    • Don't overcook: Keep an eye on the boba pearls, as they can quickly become mushy. They are done as soon as they float in boiling water.
    • Drink immediately: Enjoy your caramel milk tea boba right away for the best taste and texture.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Course: Beverages
    Cuisine: Taiwanese
    Keyword: Caramel Milk Tea, caramel milk tea boba
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