Fuzzy Dragon Bubble Tea Smoothie
Dairy Free •Vegan • Gluten Free
This Fuzzy Dragon Bubble Tea Smoothie would be the perfect “before workout” drink to fuel and optimize your exercise sessions. It’s zero fat and high with natural healthy carbohydrates, along with turmeric to reduce inflammation. The tapioca pearls are an added chewy bonus to make it feel more like a meal while adding extra fuel.
Bubble tea was my inspiration for this smoothie. What is 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.) As a smoothie lover (I drink about 5-7 smoothies a week,) I always look for unique ways to enjoy them and adding the boba pearls made this smoothie extra special and fun!
Using a ginger peach turmeric tea as my base, I also added peaches (the fuzzy) and pink pitaya dragon fruit, along with ground turmeric, raw honey, and a splash of organic vanilla extract. A simple recipe, yet a flavorful and energizing boost. This recipe makes two 9oz servings.
Let’s begin!
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup tapioca pearls
1/2 cup Bigelow Ginger Peach Turmeric Tea, brewed and cooled
1 cup peach slices
1 cup frozen pink pitaya dragon fruit, cubed
2 tbsp honey (plus a drizzle more for tapioca pearls)
1/2 tsp Origine Organic Ground Turmeric
Optional garnish: Peach slices and extra tapioca pearls.
Instructions:
How to cook tapioca pearls (or boba pearls):
(The tapioca pearls are optional and do not add any flavor to the smoothie itself, so if desired, you can skip this part)
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.
Add a small drizzle of honey to a bowl, then strain water out of pearls and add them to the bowl of honey drizzle. Give them a gentle stir to coat and let them sit for about 20 minutes. (but up to 8 hours.)
To a blender or smoothie cup, add all remaining ingredients (not tapioca pearls) and pulse a few times, then blend on high for 50-60 seconds or until smooth.
Divide tapioca pearls and add to the bottom of each glass, then pour smoothie mixture into each glass and garnish, if desired.
Use a wide straw to drink or enjoy by spoon.
Optionally, you can pour mixture into a bowl, then add tapioca pearls and garnish to top.
For a smoothie bowl, you will want to use all frozen fruit. Add a small banana or yogurt for extra creaminess and sweetness.
For another fun bubble tea creation, check out this Green Apple Matcha Bubble Tea by clicking HERE.
Enjoy!
💜Julie
Fuzzy Dragon Bubble Tea Smoothie (Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten-free)
Ingredients
Instructions
- 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.
- Add a small drizzle of honey to a bowl, then strain water out of pearls and add them to the bowl of honey drizzle. Give them a gentle stir to coat and let them sit for about 20 minutes. (They can soak up to 8 hours.)
- To a blender or smoothie cup, add all remaining ingredients (not tapioca pearls) and pulse a few times, then blend on high for 50-60 seconds or until smooth.
- Divide tapioca pearls and add to the bottom of each glass, then pour smoothie mixture into each glass and garnish, if desired. Use a wide straw to drink or enjoy by spoon. (Optionally, you can pour mixture into a bowl, then add tapioca pearls and garnish to top.)
Notes
- For a smoothie bowl, you will want to use all frozen fruit.
- Add a small banana or yogurt for extra creaminess and sweetness.
- Tapioca pearls are optional and do not add to the flavor. If excluded, it will reduce calories by 100 and carbs by 23 (per serving.)
Nutrition Facts
Calories
213Carbs (grams)
54Sugar (grams)
25Protein (grams)
1.25Sodium (milligrams)
16Nutritional values are based on a 9oz serving size and may differ with brands or fruits used.
Tapioca pearls are optional and do not add to the flavor. If excluded, it will reduce calories by 100 and carbs by 23 (per serving.)
