Looking for a refreshing and delicious drink to welcome warmer weather? Look no further than this Easy Strawberry Milk Tea recipe! With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a sweet and creamy strawberry boba tea that will have your taste buds singing all season long.
Why this strawberry boba tea recipe works:
I don’t know about you, but here in Oregon, there are buds on the trees, gorgeous swaths of colorful spring flowers popping up in garden beds, and the vibrant yellow-green hue of new growth. In other words, spring has sprung! But, why should our eyes get all the benefits of this happy new season??
There’s nothing like a tall glass of strawberry milk tea to give your tastebuds a taste of this springtime paradise. With just a few simple ingredients — homemade simple syrup infused with juicy strawberries, your choice of milk, some chewy boba pearls, and a sachet of green tea — you can create a drink that’s both sweet and refreshing.
If you’re looking for a simply delicious and relatively virtuous midday treat, this easy recipe is a must-try. Imagine taking a sip of creamy milk tea and being hit with a burst of fresh strawberry flavor — it’s a match made in beverage heaven!
Whether you’re a lover of all things boba or are a fruit fanatic, this berry-licious strawberry milk boba is sure to satisfy your cravings. Whip up a batch for your next backyard BBQ or lazy afternoon picnic — everyone you serve it to is sure to fall in love with this irresistible and easy-to-make treat.
Jump to:
What is strawberry milk tea?
Strawberry milk tea is a sweet and creamy drink that combines sweet and juicy berry-flavored simple syrup, creamy milk, and green or black tea. I also like to include boba pearls, which are chewy balls or “bubbles” that add a fun texture and element of playfulness to the drink.
What does it taste like?
One sip of my strawberry bubble tea is like taking a magical journey through a whimsical wonderland of fruit and flowers. The delicate jasmine flavors blend with the sweet, juicy strawberry notes to create a drink that’s as refreshing as it is enchanting.
As you take your first quaff, your taste buds are transported to a bountiful garden where the soft, floral perfume of jasmine wafts through the air and rows upon rows of juicy red berries hang heavy on the branches. The sweet boba pearls tickle your tongue and burst with chewy, flavorful goodness, like tiny orbs of happiness popping in your mouth.
In short, this strawberry green tea boba is a creamy drink that’s sure to put a smile on your face and a skip in your step. It’s a delightfully playful treat that’s perfect for sipping on a sunny day, or any time you need a little bit of magic in your life.
Ingredients
As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this strawberry boba tea:
- Dry Boba Pearls – While adding chewy boba pearls is a no-brainer for me (I can’t get enough of them!!), you are welcome to omit them if you prefer. They’re sold at Asian markets or here on Amazon!
- Jasmine Green Tea – This delicate and fragrant tea combines the grassy notes of green tea with the floral and slightly sweet aroma of jasmine flowers. The flavor is light and refreshing with a smooth finish that’s perfect for sipping on a warm day. Jasmine green tea typically has less caffeine than black tea but more than herbal teas, making it a good choice for a midday pick-me-up without the jitters.
- Water – If possible, opt for filtered water for the best possible flavor.
- Strawberry Simple Syrup – I love using my homemade strawberry syrup recipe (it’s so simple!), but you’re welcome to use storebought to save on prep time.
- Whole Milk – Rich, creamy, and packed with protein, full-fat milk makes this strawberry boba recipe something to remember.
Substitutions
As much as I love this recipe for boba strawberry milk tea, I want YOU to love it just as much. Feel free to make any swaps or substitutions needed to make this cheerful sipper work for your needs and preferences.
- Dry Boba Pearls – If you love the chew of black tapioca pearls but want to switch things up, consider swapping in white tapioca pearls soaked in some of the strawberry syrup for added flavor. You can also swap in any flavor of popping boba, fruit jelly cubes, or aloe vera cubes instead.
- Jasmine Green Tea – Not a fan of floral flavors? Use plain green tea. More of a black tea fan? Try a rich, dark Assam. Prefer a decaf option? Use your favorite herbal tea blend instead. Feel free to mix and match different varieties of tea or tisanes with strawberry milk to find your favorite!
- Strawberry Simple Syrup – Spring is for fresh strawberries, but you’re welcome to switch things up by adding some tart rhubarb to the mix. I also encourage you to try making different simple syrup infusions using other berries or fruits to keep things fresh and interesting all the way through the summer.
- Whole Milk – You can also use lighter dairy milk like 2% for a less calorically dense treat. Alternatively, feel free to swap in your favorite plant-based milk like oat milk or soy milk instead.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
- Vegan – Use your favorite plant-based milk like oat or almond milk. Coconut milk is also great for more of a tropical twist!
- Caffeine-Free – Use your favorite herbal tisane in place of jasmine green tea.
- Strawberry Matcha Milk Tea – Use Japanese matcha powder instead of a green teabag for a fun twist.
- Assam Strawberry Milk Tea – Swap in dark, toasty Assam black tea for a different but delicious take.
- Boba-Free – If you’re looking for a lower-calorie alternative to boba pearls, try adding diced fruit or chia seeds to the drink for a fun texture.
Instructions
Making this strawberry milk tea boba is as easy as 1-2-3.
Step 1: Steep. Prepare the Jasmine green tea by boiling 1 cup of water, then steep the tea bag for 5-6 minutes. Remove the tea bag and set the infusion aside to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the dry tapioca boba pearls according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Drain, transfer to cold water, and set aside until ready to use.
Step 3: Assemble. Divide the prepared chewy tapioca pearls evenly between 2 glasses. Add ice, then top each glass with ½ cup of green tea, ⅓ cup of strawberry syrup, and ¼ cup of whole milk. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & FAQ
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Opt for fresh tea bags or loose-leaf tea and use filtered water.
- Steep to perfection. Green tea should actually be brewed at *just* under boiling (around 175F) for the best flavor. Depending on the strength of tea you like, consider pulling the teabag out after 2-3 minutes for a milder flavor, or 5-6 minutes for a more robust flavor.
- Be a boba boss. Follow the package instructions carefully when cooking the boba pearls, as each brand has their own cook times. Rinse the cooked pearls in cold water and consider storing them in your strawberry simple syrup to keep them moist and flavorful if you have any leftover. ALSO, make sure you have wide boba straws on hand so you don’t miss out on the chewy goodness.
- Taste the drink as you go and adjust the amount of strawberry syrup or sugar to your liking. If the drink is too sweet, you can balance it out with a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of salt.
Strawberry milk tea is a tasty and satisfying treat, but it’s not typically considered “healthy” per se.
That said, there are ways to make strawberry milk tea a bit healthier. In this recipe, I omit any cream or sweetened condensed milk for a more balanced beverage. You can also make other changes like using non-dairy milk alternatives to cut down on saturated fat and calories.
You can also use natural sweeteners like honey or agave instead of sugar for a lower-GI treat. Finally, you can choose to skip the boba pearls or opt for smaller amounts to reduce the overall calorie and carbohydrate content. Ultimately, like most treats, it’s all about moderation and balance.
I personally love the light, delicate flavor of jasmine green tea, but at the end of the day, it’s all about your personal preferences. Black tea has a bold, robust flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the strawberry and the creaminess of the milk. Herbal teas like hibiscus can add a lovely, tart flavor and enhance the pretty in pink image. Plain green tea is also a great option if floral flavors aren’t your favorite.
Storage Instructions
- Homemade strawberry simple syrup is best stored in a lidded squeeze bottle (for easy pouring) in the fridge. Since sugar is a natural preservative, it should last upwards of 3-4 weeks.
- Prepared boba pearls are best served the day they are made, but you can extend their life by keeping them in an airtight container in the fridge covered with simple syrup for up to 3 days.
- Brewed tea is best served fresh (i.e. within a few hours of making it), but it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Any leftover prepared boba strawberry deliciousness can likewise be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
Nutritional Info
A single serving of this boba tea strawberry milk contains 263 calories, which is a moderate amount for a beverage. It’s not quite a meal replacement, but keep in mind that it IS enough to impact your total daily intake.
The total fat content is only 2 grams, which is relatively low, and the protein content is 3 grams. These aren’t particularly significant amounts, but they do contribute to making this a more filling drink than plain tea.
The carbohydrate content is 60 grams, which is a bit high, mostly due to the added sugar in the strawberry syrup and the boba pearls.
So, while this drink is not the healthiest option out there, it can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. I suggest you be mindful of the calorie and sugar content and consider it a treat rather than a daily beverage.
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 263 calories
- Total Fat: 2 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Sodium: 28 mg
- Carbohydrates: 60 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Pricing Info
This is what I personally paid to make this recipe:
- ¼ cup dry boba pearls: $0.16
- 1 Jasmine green tea bag: $0.19
- ⅔ cup strawberry simple syrup (I used homemade): $1.21
- ½ cup whole milk: $0.09
The total cost for this recipe was: $1.65 or $0.83 per strawberry boba tea!
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Recipe
Easy Strawberry Milk Tea
Equipment
- boba tea straws (if using boba)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dry boba pearls optional
- 1 jasmine green tea bag
- 1 cup water
- ⅔ cup strawberry simple syrup homemade or storebought
- ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
- If using, prepare the dry tapioca boba pearls according to the manufacturer's instructions (instructions will differ based on brand). Drain, transfer to cold water, and set aside until ready to use.
- Prepare the Jasmine green tea by boiling 1 cup of water, then steep the tea bag for 5-6 minutes. Remove the tea bag and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the strawberry milk tea. Divide the prepared tapioca balls evenly between 2 glasses. Add ice, then top each glass with ½ cup of green tea, ⅓ cup of strawberry syrup, and ¼ cup of whole milk. Serve!
Nutrition
If you end up making this and loving it, take a photo and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your versions of my recipes! And feel free to rate it down below in the comment section. I would really appreciate it!
xoxo Megan
Beth says
My mouth is watering just looking at this! It’s so pretty, and the flavors are so good. I love it.
Ali says
Looks delicious and so much cheaper than buying the store bought version!
gunjan says
Totally loved this idea! My kids enjoyed this strawberry milk for their breakfast and I am making this frequently now.
Justine says
We are big boba tea lovers in this house! This recipe was fantastic – so creamy and sweet. Will definitely be making it again, it was super easy!
Jen says
I love this variation of milk tea. The strawberry makes it a special treat!