This creamy jasmine green milk tea is a sweet, perfumed flavored delicate tea made with fresh jasmine flower pearls brewed to infuse the fragrant aromatic taste. Personally, this is one of my favorite ways to enjoy homemade iced bubble tea. Basically, it's an iced jasmine tea latte with a boba twist, and just pure plant-based magic in a glass.
Why I Love This Jasmine Green Milk Tea
- Ready in just 15 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients
- Way better flavor than store-bought
- Completely vegan and dairy-free, yet still super creamy and satisfying
What Are Jasmine Flower Pearls in Milk Tea?
Jasmine flower pearls are little bundles of rolled green tea leaves scented with real jasmine blossoms. When steeped in hot water, they slowly unfurl, and release their signature floral jasmine aroma. They're ideal for making jasmine green milk tea, jasmine pearl tea, or any jasmine tea boba drink.
Why Jasmine Pearls Make Better Milk Tea Than Tea Bags
- Higher quality than bagged jasmine tea leaves
- Naturally sweet and floral no bitterness)
- Great for multiple steeps (yes, they’re reusable!)
Into floral flavors? Try my cozy, vegan Rose Milk Tea or Iced Lavender Coffee next!
Benefits of Jasmine Flower Tea
- Rich in antioxidants: The catechins in the green tea have shown to have anti-inflammatory effects to help support heart-friendly health and wellness. Learn more on Healthline
- Gentle caffeine lift: With about 20–30mg of caffeine per cup, jasmine green tea offers a mild energy boost without the crash. Check out Mayo Clinic to understand more about caffeine intake, what amount is safe.
- Naturally calming: The delicate aroma of jasmine tea has been shown to help reduce stress and promote relaxation (like giving your body a little spa treatment), according to Danfe tea.
- Digestive support: Jasmine tea can help ease bloating and promote healthy digestion, when sipped after meals.
Pregnancy Tip: Stick with low-caffeine versions like jasmine white tea or decaf green tea. And, of course, always check in with your doctor first.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Jasmine pearl green tea: Jasmine flower pearls are also referred to as jasmine loose leaf tea. Jasmine green tea bags can be used to make this recipe, however tea pearls will yield a significantly more flavorful and enjoyable result.
- Tapioca pearls (boba): You can use uncooked tapioca pearls to prepare yourself, or you can also opt for quick-cooking boba to save time. You should be able to find both kinds at Asian food markets.
- Filtered Water: Make sure you use filtered water for the best flavor! The temperature shouldn’t exceed 175°F.
- Sweetener: I usually use maple syrup. However, brown sugar syrup, agave, coconut nectar, or plain simple syrup all work well too.
- Plant milk: The creamy consistency of soy milk or oat milk accentuates the sweet, floral notes of jasmine tea incredibly well. Other great options include coconut milk, or cashew milk.
- Ice: Optional
Allergy-friendly swaps:
- Soy-free? Use oat, cashew, or almond milk
- Watching caffeine? Go with jasmine white tea or decaf green tea
- Out of boba? Try chia pearls, fruit boba, coconut jellies, or popping boba.
How to Make Jasmine Green Milk Tea with Boba
Step 1: Brew and cool the tea
Heat water to 175°F using an electric kettle. Steep the jasmine green tea pearls in hot water, and brew for 2 to 4 minutes. Then strain, and let the tea cool completely before assembling your drink.
Pro tip: Make the tea ahead of time for best preparation.
Step 2: Prepare the boba
In a small pot, bring water to a boil, then add in the tapioca pearls to cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until they are chewy soft. Then strain, and mix them into maple syrup or simple syrup till they are ready to use.
Step 3: Assembly you drink
Add sweetened boba into the bottom of a tall glass, followed by ice (if you like it cold). Then pour in your cooled jasmine green tea, followed by your favorite non-dairy milk (I love soy or oat). Lastly, drizzle in maple syrup per your taste.
Step 4: Sip away!
Pop in a wide boba straw, give it a good stir, and enjoy your homemade jasmine milk tea!
Common Mistakes (And Easy Fixes)
- Using boiling water will scorch your jasmine pearls and leave you with bitter, burnt tea. Always go with water around 175°F.
- Steeping the tea for too long? That’s the quickest way to turn your floral brew into astringent soup. Two to three minutes is plenty.
- Pouring cold milk into hot tea might sound fine, but it can curdle your drink. Cool your tea first!
- Forgetting to soak the boba in syrup? Don’t do it. Otherwise, they’ll be chewy little blobs with zero flavor.
- Letting your drink sit for too long means sad, soggy boba. This one’s best enjoyed right after assembly.
Variations & Customizations
- Matcha jasmine fusion - For an earthy twist, top your drink off with some matcha.
- Jasmine coconut milk tea - Use coconut milk as your plant milk to make it sweet, creamy, and tropical.
- Jasmine oolong milk tea - Swap in jasmine oolong milk tea for a deep roasted vibe, and slightly toasted finish.
- Fruity Jasmine milk tea - Skip the milk, and add fruit juice like mango, pineapple, peach, or strawberry.
Serving Ideas
- Cold brew version - Instead of brewing in hot water, simply steep the jasmine pearls in cold water overnight for a smoother sip the following day.
- Cozy cup - Use warm milk and skip the ice (a floral hug in a mug).
- Hosting ideas - Set up a DIY boba tea bar with toppings like cooked tapioca pearls, jelly cubes, and flavored simple syrups so everyone can build their own milk tea masterpiece.
- Strong - Prepare frozen milk tea cubes (frozen from extra brewed tea and milk). Toss them in your tea to chill your drink without watering it down with regular ice. Total game changer!
- Frothy - Give the tea and milk a quick spin in a shaker or frother for that fancy milk tea shop texture.
- Sugar-free - You can replace the sugar with stevia or monk fruit, or omit it altogether.
Storage
- Tea base: Keep your jasmine green milk tea in the fridge up to 3 days
- Boba: Best fresh, but lasts 1 day in syrup
- Assembled drink: Drink right away for best texture
- Freezing: Just freeze the tea base (not the boba)
FAQ
It’s light, floral, sweet and slightly grassy from the green tea, and super smooth and calming.
Yes, there is caffeine in jasmine milk tea. Since it’s made with jasmine green tea, there are about 20–30 mg of caffeine in each glass.
Yes, if you go with low-caffeine options and drink in moderation. However, always check with your doc!
Yep! It’s usually green tea leaves scented with jasmine flowers (though white and oolong versions exist too).
Enjoy a good sip?
If you enjoy this fresh, floral, sweet jasmine green milk tea recipe, then check out my other milk tea recipes while you're here.
Jasmine Green Milk Tea
DESCRIPTION
INGREDIENTS
Jasmine Green Tea
- 1 cup 175°F° hot water
- 1-2 tablespoon jasmine green tea pearls or 1 tea bag
METHOD
- Heat water to 175°F using an electric kettle. If you don't have an electric kettle, then simply bring water to a boil and let it sit for a couple minutes to slightly cool off before using.
- Place the jasmine green tea pearls directly into you teapot or infuser. Pour over the hot water, and let the jasmine flower pearls steep for 2-4 minutes. If you are using jasmine green tea bag, then simply submerge the tea bag into the hot water to steep.
- Once the tea has steeped, strain the tea directly into a glass jar. Let the tea cool off completely before using. Note: For best preparation, you can make the tea in advance and keep it refrigerated till you are ready to use it.
- While the jasmine green tea is cooling off, prepare your boba. Simply add the dried tapioca pearls to a pot of boiling water. Stir gently to prevent them from sticking together.
- Cook the tapioca pearls until they start to float to the top of the water, and then cook for another 4-5 minutes till they become chewy soft.
- Drain the boba pearls from the boiling water, and immediately place them in a bowl with maple syrup. Mix the boba with the sweet syrup till properly coated and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- To assemble - Add the sweetened boba pearls to the bottom of the tall glass. Layer with ice and the pour over the jasmine green tea. Lastly, top it off with maple syrup and plant milk.
- Serve with a wide boba straw. Give it a good stir and enjoy!
NOTES
- Equipment: Use a mesh tea strainer or infuser for an easy steep-and-clean setup.
- Don't over-steep: Steep the jasmine pearls for just 2 to 4 minutes to avoid bitter taste.
- Prep Ahead: Make the tea ahead of time and chill it in the fridge for faster assembly later.
- Sweeten your boba: After cooking, let boba soak in maple or simple syrup for 10–15 minutes so they’re sweet and flavorful.
- Serving suggestion: Chill your serving glass before building your drink, it’ll help the tea stay cooler longer.
- Serve immediately - For the best boba texture, and fresh is always best!
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