Iced Thai Milk Tea with Boba Pearls
Chilled Thai milk tea brewed strong and sweetened, poured over chewy black tapioca pearls for a refreshing and textural drink. This thai-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 35 minutes brings together Thai tea leaves, boiling water, sweetened condensed milk 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 300 calories and feeds 1, 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
- 3 tbsp Thai tea leaves
- 2 cups boiling water
- 3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup black tapioca pearls
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: Steep 3 tablespoons of Thai tea leaves in 2 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes until the tea is dark and aromatic, then strain into a pitcher.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and 1/4 cup evaporated milk into the hot tea until fully combined and smooth.
- Step 3: Prepare 1/2 cup black tapioca pearls according to package instructions, usually boiling for about 20 minutes until soft and chewy, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- Step 4: Fill a tall glass with 1 cup of ice cubes and scoop in the cooked tapioca pearls.
- Step 5: Pour the cooled Thai milk tea over the pearls and ice, stirring gently before serving with a wide straw to enjoy the chewy pearls with the sweet tea.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Iced Thai Milk Tea with Boba Pearls take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Iced Thai Milk Tea with Boba Pearls?
Refrigerate any leftover iced thai milk tea with boba pearls in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Iced Thai Milk Tea with Boba Pearls?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Iced Thai Milk Tea with Boba Pearls for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Iced Thai Milk Tea with Boba Pearls?
Thai cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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