Mango Boba Tea

Mango boba tea is a fruity beverage bursting with sweet, floral, and tropical flavors. This irresistible blend features chewy boba, a luscious frozen mango purée, and aromatic black tea. Serve it chilled with a wide-mouth bubble tea straw for the ultimate way to cool off this summer!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Tropical vibes: If you’re looking for sunshine in a cup, this mango bubble tea is it! Both the color and flavor of mango will make you feel like you’re sitting poolside in the tropics.
• Allergy-friendly: This recipe utilizes oat milk, making it suitable for those following a plant-based diet or with dairy allergies.
• Chewy boba pearls: The irresistibly chewy texture of tapioca pearls makes this drink a special way to cool off during the summer months.
• Easy to make at home: With how expensive coffee and tea shops are these days, it’s nice to have a delicious boba tea recipe you can make in the comfort of your own home.

What is mango boba tea?

Originating from Taiwan, boba tea is a popular beverage made from a base of tea, milk or fruit juice, tapioca pearls, and other mix-ins. I love the combination of robust black tea and sweet, tropical mango in this recipe.

Chewy tapioca pearls add such an intriguing texture, making every sip refreshing and unique. Plus, the bright colors of the mango purée will lift your spirits, even on the gloomiest of days!

This mango boba tea is perfect for hot summer days or anytime you need a refreshing pick-me-up. Serve it plain or add a dollop of oat milk whipped cream on top for an extra indulgent treat!

Is mango boba tea vegan? 

Traditionally, creamy bubble teas often contain non-vegan ingredients like milk or honey. Here’s a quick breakdown of some simple vegan swaps:

• Milk: Instead of cow’s milk, I like to use oat milk. It’s equally as creamy and has a mildly sweet flavor that complements the mango incredibly well.
• Sweeteners: Some boba tea recipes use honey or white sugar as a sweetener, which is not strictly vegan. In this recipe, you can use maple syrup or brown sugar syrup.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Black tea: Provides a bold, aromatic base for the drink. You can substitute it with green tea or jasmine tea for a different flavor profile.
• Boba: I recommend quick-cooking tapioca pearls to save time. You should be able to find them at any Asian food market or online. Alternatively, try fruit jelly or popping boba.
• Syrup: You can use either maple syrup or brown sugar syrup to sweeten the boba and the drink. If you don’t have either, try agave nectar.
• Oat milk: Creates a rich and creamy consistency and a sweet, slightly nutty flavor. Almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk are also good options.
• Frozen mango: Adds a tropical flavor and a creamy texture. If you only have fresh mango, make sure to add some ice. Or, substitute it with other frozen fruits like pineapple, peaches, or strawberries.

How to make mango boba tea

• Step 1: Steep your black tea bag in hot water first, then strain the tea and let it cool down completely. I suggest steeping the tea ahead of time and refrigerating it until you are ready to make boba tea.

• Step 2: Submerge the tapioca pearls in a saucepan of boiling water, cooking them until you see the pearls floating to the top. For reference, this takes about 5 minutes. Then, drain and transfer the pearls into a bowl and mix them with maple/brown sugar syrup.

• Step 3: Let the frozen mango chunks sit out at room temperature to thaw slightly, then add them to a blender with the oat milk. Blend into a smooth and creamy consistency.

• Step 4: To assemble your mango bubble tea, add a scoop of pearls along with syrup to the bottom of the glass, followed by crushed ice. Then pour over the tea, and then blended mango purée. Give it a good stir before enjoying it.

Storage & Reheating

A fresh, ice-cold glass of mango boba tea offers the best taste. But if you find yourself with leftovers, here’s what to do:

• Fridge: Leftover mango bubble tea can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a day. If you can, separate the boba from the tea mixture and store them in different containers.
• Freezer: Freezing cooked tapioca pearls isn’t ideal as they turn grainy and mushy once thawed. However, you can freeze the mango tea mixture in ice cube trays, then move the cubes into a freezer bag or container for future use.

Variations

• Pineapple: Add pineapple juice in place of oat milk for a full-on tropical mango boba tea that’s reminiscent of a beach vacation.
• Lychee: Include some lychee juice, lychee syrup, or fresh lychees for a subtly sweet, floral touch that complements the mango beautifully.
• Spice: For those who are adventurous, sprinkle a dash of chili powder into your mango boba tea. This Mexican-inspired addition creates a unique sweet-spicy experience.
• Chai: Blend your mango with chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. The resulting mango chai boba tea is a warming, aromatic drink perfect for cooler weather.

Top tips

• Adjust the sweetness: Adjust the sweetness of this mango bubble tea according to your preferences. Start with a little and add more slowly.
• Chill the tea: Make sure the black tea is chilled before assembling the drink.
• Blending: It’s best to use a high-speed blender to achieve the smoothest and creamiest mango purée texture.
• Wait to add the pearls: Add the tapioca pearls just before serving to prevent them from turning too soggy.

FAQ

More tea recipes

If you enjoyed this mango boba tea recipe, take a look at some more of my favorite tea beverages like these:

• Matcha Bubble Tea: The perfect blend of rich, earthy matcha with creamy oat milk.
• Jasmine Milk Tea: Delicate, floral tea, creamy plant milk, and chewy pearls.
• Lychee Bubble Tea: Sweet, tropical flavors combined with creamy bubble tea.
• Matcha Chai Latte: An unexpected fusion that's surprisingly irresistible!
• Oat Milk Chai Latte: A rich and spicy latte made entirely dairy-free.
• Caramel Milk Tea: A twist on traditional milk tea with an ultra-creamy consistency and caramel-infused flavors.