Vietnamese Iced Jasmine Tea with Tapioca Pearls
A refreshing cold beverage featuring fragrant jasmine tea brewed strong, sweetened lightly, and served over chewy tapioca pearls for a delightful boba drink. This vietnamese-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 25 minutes brings together jasmine tea leaves, boiling water, tapioca pearls (boba) 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 180 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
- 3 tbsp jasmine tea leaves
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1/2 cup tapioca pearls (boba)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups water (for pearls cooking)
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups boiling water to a boil, then steep 3 tbsp jasmine tea leaves in the water for 5 minutes until strong and fragrant. Strain tea leaves and let tea cool to room temperature.
- Step 2: In a separate pot, bring 4 cups water to a rolling boil. Add 1/2 cup tapioca pearls and cook according to package instructions, usually about 5-7 minutes until pearls float and are soft but chewy.
- Step 3: Drain tapioca pearls and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Toss pearls with 1 tbsp granulated sugar to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan, combine the cooled jasmine tea and remaining 2 tbsp granulated sugar. Warm gently over low heat until sugar dissolves completely, then chill tea in refrigerator.
- Step 5: To serve, spoon cooked tapioca pearls into glasses over 2 cups ice cubes. Pour sweetened jasmine tea over pearls, then drizzle 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk on top. Stir gently before drinking.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese Iced Jasmine Tea with Tapioca Pearls take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Vietnamese Iced Jasmine Tea with Tapioca Pearls?
Refrigerate any leftover vietnamese iced jasmine tea with tapioca 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 Vietnamese Iced Jasmine Tea with Tapioca 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 Vietnamese Iced Jasmine Tea with Tapioca Pearls for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Vietnamese Iced Jasmine Tea with Tapioca Pearls?
Vietnamese 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.
