Bubblegum Hibiscus Boba Tea (Bubble Tea)

What is boba or bubble tea?

Basically, it’s sweetened tea and milk along with cooked tapioca pearls that have been soaked in a sugar, syrup or honey. (Also called pearl milk tea, milk tea, boba tea or tapioca milk.) I modified a basic recipe and for the fraction of the price, so I can create several cups of bubble tea at home. Flavor syrups are the best way to easily add a fun flavor twist. I had a few flavor syrups in my fridge to choose from and decided to use my Nature’s Flavors Organic Bubblegum Flavor Syrup and some Seelect Hibiscus Tea and create this Bubblegum Hibiscus Boba Tea that has a deliciously fun flavor and lovely color along with some healthy benefits from the hibiscus tea. This one-serving recipe makes approximately 15 ounces (including the tapioca pearls.)

Nature’s Flavors Organic Bubblegum Flavor Syrup is vegan, gluten-free and corn free. Use coupon code: APRNT3N to receive 20% off all Nature’s Flavors orders, no expiration!Seelect Hibiscus Tea has a wonderful berry like flavor with a lovely ruby red color when brewed and contains antioxidants, bioflavonoids and vitamin C for healthy benefits.

Let’s begin!

Ingredients:

For Tapioca Pearls:

• 2 1/2 cups water (plus extra water for rinsing)
• 1/4 cup black tapioca pearls

For the Beverage:

• 3 tbsp Nature’s Flavors Organic Bubblegum Flavor Syrup (divided)
• 3/4 cup Seelect Hibiscus Tea, brewed and chilled
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Optional Garnish:

• Bubblegum balls
• Plant milk froth

How to make bubble tea

Instructions:

How to cook tapioca pearls: Add water to a pot and bring to a boil. Gently add tapioca pearls and stir lightly. When tapioca pearls float to the surface, cover with lid, reduce heat to low and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Next, turn heat off and leave on burner for another 2-3 minutes.

Next, strain out water and add tapioca pearls to a bowl with cold water and let sit for 20 seconds.Strain tapioca pearls again and add them to a bowl with one tablespoon of the bubblegum flavor syrup and let soak for at least 20 minutes, but up to 5 hours.

While tapioca pearls are soaking, you can mix together milk, tea and 2 tablespoons of the bubblegum flavor syrup. I used my electric frother to mix mine, but you can just stir together until well blended.

Note: I honestly thought that the red tea and white plant milk would create a light pink color, but as you can see this drink has more of a purple hue. It is still a very lovely color and very delicious though.

When ready to assemble bubble tea, strain tapioca pearls and add to the bottom of a tall glass.

Pour milk tea mixture over top of the boba pearls, then garnish with frothed milk and bubblegum balls, if desired. Use a large straw for enjoying the boba pearls.

Should I add ice to bubble tea?

You can certainly add ice to boba tea if you desire, but not necessary.

How to add ice to boba tea: Add ice on top of tapioca pearls before adding your milk tea mixture, or optionally, you can use a shaker filled with ice to mix together mixture then strain on top of pearls for a cold bubble tea.

This bubble tea has a very enjoyable flavor, healthy benefits from the hibiscus tea along with delicious and chewy tapioca pearls for a satisfying and fun drink.

Enjoy!