Bubble Tea-Inspired Tapioca Pearl Milk Tea
A sweet, creamy milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls, infused with black tea and a touch of vanilla for a refreshing treat. This Asian Fusion-inspired recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, brings together tapioca pearls, water, black tea bags for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 2, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tapioca pearls
- 4 cups (for boiling pearls) water
- 3 black tea bags
- 2 cups (for brewing tea) hot water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup ice cubes
Bar tools worth buying for drinks like this → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth Buying
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a rolling boil in a medium pot. Add 1/2 cup tapioca pearls and stir gently until they float. Boil uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: Remove pot from heat, cover, and let the pearls sit for 15 minutes to finish cooking. Drain and rinse pearls under cold water, then toss with 2 tbsp brown sugar to keep them sweet and sticky.
- Step 3: Brew 3 black tea bags in 2 cups hot water for 5 minutes until strong and fragrant. Remove tea bags and stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar while tea is still warm.
- Step 4: In a large glass, add half the tapioca pearls, then fill with 1/2 cup brewed black tea and 1/2 cup whole milk. Stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and add ice cubes.
- Step 5: Repeat for a second serving. Serve with a wide straw to enjoy the tapioca pearls along with the creamy milk tea.






