Try strawberry boba for a juicy, refreshing, and fruity twist on classic bubble tea. It showcases homemade strawberry simple syrup, fresh berries, chewy tapioca pearls, and creamy oat milk. Whether you're a boba enthusiast or just looking to cool off, this recipe always hits the spot!
Why youβll love this recipe
- Budget-friendly: Skip the high price tag of bubble tea shops and make an equally delicious version at home!
- Versatile serving options: This strawberry boba is perfect as a cool summer drink or a fun party beverage.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness or swap out the plant milk to suit your taste.
- Healthier choice: Compared to traditional bubble tea shop drinks, this strawberry boba tea contains much less added sugar and is made with dairy-free oat milk.
What is strawberry boba?
Iβm highlighting my love for boba today with a new, fresh, and flavorful strawberry boba tea! This drink combines the tart, sweet flavors of strawberries with creamy oat milk, freshly brewed tea, and chewy boba pearls.
I honestly think this may be my new favorite boba, although I probably say that for every boba tea recipe β theyβre just way too much fun to make! Strawberry boba makes the perfect midday pick-me-up since you can brew it with green or black tea for a slight caffeine boost.
Not only is this recipe extremely straightforward to make, it only requires five ingredients! Cook the boba, steep the tea, and build your drink. Thatβs all there is to it! You can also customize it further by mixing and matching different fruits or even trying a sugar-free sweetener.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Boba: Also known as tapioca pearls, boba add a unique chewy element. I recommend quick-cooking boba, which can typically be found at any Asian food market or online.
- Strawberry simple syrup: Adds sweetness and a hint of flavor. Maple syrup or agave are good alternatives if you donβt have strawberry simple syrup on hand.
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are best for flavor and color, but frozen strawberries can be used if fresh aren't available.
- Oat milk: Provides a rich, creamy texture that complements the strawberries well. If you donβt have oat milk, swap in any plant milk like almond, soy, coconut, or cashew.
- Tea: You can use either green or black tea depending on your preferences or availability. Alternatively, skip or replace it with herbal teas for a caffeine-free version.
How to make strawberry boba
- Step 1: If you're adding tea to your strawberry boba, steep the tea bag in hot water for about 3-5 minutes. For a stronger tea flavor, let it steep for the full 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Boil the pearls until they float to the top and become soft. The time will depend on the type of boba you purchase. For quick-cooking boba, itβs about 3-5 minutes. When ready, then drain the pearls and mix them with strawberry simple syrup or maple syrup. The syrup not only sweetens the boba but also keeps them from sticking together.
- Step 3: Once the tea has steeped and cooled, blend it with oat milk and fresh strawberries until itβs smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Build your strawberry boba with a scoop of pearls at the bottom, followed by crushed ice and the strawberry milk tea blend. Top it with oat milk whipped cream for an extra indulgent drink!
Storage
Although strawberry boba is best served right away, donβt let your leftovers go to waste by following these simple storage tips:
- Fridge: Store the strawberry milk blend in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. I suggest straining the boba and keeping them in a separate container.
- Freezer: Freezing tapioca pearls is not recommended as it makes the texture grainy. However, you can strain and freeze the strawberry boba tea mixture in ice cube trays.
- Prep ahead: You can brew the tea, make the strawberry simple syrup, and even blend the strawberry milk a day ahead for quicker assembly. Cook the boba at the time of serving for the best texture.
Variations
- Tropical twist: Add mango, pineapple, or papaya chunks for a tropical blend.
- Chocolate: Blend in chocolate syrup for a chocolate-dipped strawberry version.
- Herbal tea: Use chamomile, rooibos, or hibiscus tea for a caffeine-free option.
- Spiced: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warming flavor.
- Sugar-free: Use stevia or sugar-free syrup for a healthier variation.
Top tips
- Fresh is best: I recommend using fresh strawberries for the best results, especially when theyβre in season.
- Chill the tea: Cold tea prevents the ice from melting and the boba from cooking further. Let it cool completely before blending it with the berries and oat milk.
- Perfect pearls: Remove the boba from the pot soon after they begin to float to prevent overcooking them. You still want them to be slightly chewy.
- Serve immediately: Strawberry boba tea tastes best when itβs fresh, so serve it immediately after assembling it.
FAQ
If your boba is still hard in the middle, this usually means theyβre undercooked. Try boiling them for a few more minutes. Always try one before you finish cooking to ensure theyβre properly cooked all the way through.
Itβs best to consume them fresh since they have a much better texture immediately after theyβre boiled. Once cooked, they donβt store well in the fridge.
Absolutely! To make a strawberry boba without tea, just leave it out and add a little extra milk, or use water for a strawberry milk-only version.
More tea recipes
If youβre looking for more recipes like this strawberry boba tea, youβll have to try some of my favorites like these:
- Rose Milk Tea: A delicate, floral, and creamy drink.
- Mango Boba Tea: Full of sweet, floral, and vibrant notes.
- Lychee Bubble Tea: Tropical-flavored lychee combined with creamy bubble tea flavors.
- Boba Smoothie: Three flavors to choose from for a fun new breakfast option.
- Caramel Milk Tea: Tea house-quality flavor in the comfort of your own home.
Strawberry Boba
DESCRIPTION
INGREDIENTS
Boba
- ΒΌ cup boba pearls
- 2 tablespoon strawberry simple syrup or maple syrup
Strawberry Milk
- 1 cup strawberries
- β cup oat milk or preferred plant milk
- β cup ice
Optional: Brewed Tea
- 1 bag black tea or green tea
- β cup hot water
METHOD
Optional: Brewed Tea (if adding tea to you strawberry boba)
- Steep the tea bag in hot water (180β) for 5 minutes in a mason jar. Then use a spoon to scoop out the tea bags and discard them. Screw a lid over the mason jar and refrigerate the brewed tea for at least an hour till it's completely chilled.Note: It is best to refrigerate the brewed tea overnight.
To cook boba
- In a saucepan, submerge tapioca pearls in boiling water. Cook until pearls float to the top and then cook about another 3-4 minutes. Scoop out one and taste test the texture to make sure they are ready before draining. Next drain and transfer into a bowl.
- Immediately mix in the syrup and the boba pearls, and set aside.
Strawberry milk tea blend
- Place brewed tea, oat milk, and strawberries in a blender. Blend till you achieve a smooth consistency.
To assemble
- To assemble in a tall glass - Add boba along with syrup to the bottom of the glass. Then add crushed ice, followed by the strawberry milk tea blend. Optional: In the inside of the glass, swirl some strawberry jam along the sides before you start to assemble.
NOTES
- Fresh is best: I recommend using fresh strawberries for the best results, especially when theyβre in season.
- Chill the tea: Cold tea prevents the ice from melting and the boba from cooking further. Let it cool completely before blending it with the berries and oat milk.
- Perfect pearls: Remove the boba from the pot soon after they begin to float to prevent overcooking them. You still want them to be slightly chewy.
- Serve immediately: Strawberry boba tea tastes best when itβs fresh, so serve it immediately after assembling it.
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