Instant Boba Tea with Condensed Milk (Printable)

Quick and creamy bubble tea made with instant tapioca pearls and sweetened condensed milk. Ready in just 10 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tapioca Pearls

01 - 1/2 cup quick-cook (instant) tapioca pearls

→ Tea Base

02 - 2 black tea bags (or 2 tsp loose leaf black tea)
03 - 1 1/2 cups hot water

→ Sweet & Creamy Additions

04 - 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
05 - 1 cup cold milk (dairy or plant-based)

→ For Serving

06 - 1 cup ice cubes

# How To Make It:

01 - Boil tapioca pearls according to package instructions (typically 3-5 minutes until soft and chewy). Drain and set aside.
02 - Steep tea bags in 1 1/2 cups of hot water for 3-5 minutes, then remove bags and let the tea cool slightly.
03 - In a pitcher or large bowl, combine the brewed tea, sweetened condensed milk, and cold milk. Stir until fully mixed and creamy.
04 - Divide cooked tapioca pearls between two large glasses.
05 - Add ice cubes to each glass.
06 - Pour the milk tea mixture over the pearls and ice. Stir well and serve immediately with large straws.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Ready in 10 minutes, which means you can have boba tea before your coffee even brews.
  • Sweetened condensed milk makes it naturally creamy and rich without any fancy equipment or complicated ratios.
  • You control the sweetness and strength, so no more overpaying for drinks that don't taste like you envisioned.
  • The tapioca pearls give you that satisfying, playful texture that makes each sip feel like a small treat.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling your tapioca after draining, or the heat will turn your milk mixture grainy and separated, ruining the whole vibe.
  • Sweetened condensed milk is thick and concentrated, so don't eyeball it—measure carefully or your drink will either taste like straight sugar or like watered-down tea with regret.
  • The pearls will harden as they cool, so serve immediately after assembly or you'll end up with chewy rubber instead of those perfect tender bubbles.
03 -
  • Chill your glasses in the freezer for five minutes before pouring if you want the drink to stay cold longer and taste even more refreshing.
  • Make a big batch of tapioca pearls ahead of time and store them in the fridge with a little syrup to keep them soft, so you can assemble boba drinks in under two minutes whenever the craving hits.
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