Say hello to the delicious and trendy world of tiger milk tea! This little tiger tea recipe will be your new go-to when you're craving something super sweet and satisfying.
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What is tiger milk tea?
Tiger tea is an adorable milk tea variation with different names like tiger boba, tiger bubble tea, and tiger tea boba.
It originally started as an iced drink made only with milk, boba, and sugar syrup, which helped create its velvety texture and perfectly balanced sweetness. As more people discovered this delicious little drink, they started experimenting with other variations. Nowadays it's far more common to find a tiger tea recipe with a black tea base, adding some depth, complexity, and caffeine.
And if black tea isn't your cup of... tea, you can always try other types like green, oolong, or chai for a unique twist on the classic. It's all about finding the combination that speaks to your taste buds; get creative in your tiger milk tea adventures!
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Tiger tea ingredients
To whip up an amazing tiger milk tea at home, you'll want to have some high-quality boba pearls and either brown or muscovado sugar on hand. Muscovado sugar, with its deep molasses flavor, lends an extra layer of complexity and sticky goodness, while brown sugar will keep things a bit more subtle and sweet.
If you're ordering your boba- I love WuFuYuan's brown sugar tapioca pearls. If you want to try your hand at making your own, check out this recipe for homemade boba from Foxy Folksy.
- milk
- muscovado sugar
- boba pearls
- black tea (or your choice of tea)
- ice
Tiger tea recipe
Ready to make your own gorgeous tiger milk tea? With just a few ingredients and some easy-to-follow steps, you'll be sipping on this delicious drink in no time.
- First up, let's make the muscovado (or brown) sugar syrup! Grab a saucepan and mix equal parts sugar and water. Heat it up until the sugar melts, then let it simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken a bit. Once it's done, let it cool down.
- (Optional) If you're a fan of black tea, brew a strong cup and let it cool.
- Cook the boba pearls according to the package instructions, then set them aside.
- Drizzle the cooled sugar syrup around the inside of the glass to create those tiger stripes. Let it sit for a minute to really stick to the glass and avoid dissolving too quickly.
- Add the cooked boba pearls to the bottom of the glass and fill the glass with ice.
- Pour in your milk or favorite non-dairy alternative. If you're using black tea, pour it over the milk.
- Give everything a good stir and enjoy your homemade Tiger Milk Tea!
When storing leftover boba pearls, keep them in an airtight container in a bit of sugar syrup to prevent them from hardening and/or sticking together. They can be refrigerated for up to two days; remember to give them a quick reheat before using.
Substitutions
- Dairy-free milk – Swap out cow's milk for almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk for a lactose-free or vegan option.
- Brown sugar – If you don't have muscovado sugar, use brown sugar for a slightly milder sweetness.
- Caffeine-free tea – Opt for rooibos or herbal tea if you're looking for a caffeine-free alternative.
Variations
- Green tea – Use matcha or sencha for a lighter, earthier, and grassier taste.
- Oolong tea – Choose oolong tea to add a distinctive complexity to the drink.
- Chai tea – Try chai tea for a warm, spicy twist with flavors like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
- Rooibos tea – Pick rooibos tea for a naturally sweet, slightly nutty, and caffeine-free option.
FAQ
We can't wait to hear how this tiger tea recipe turned out for you! Swing by the comments section to share your thoughts, tips, or any fun twists you tried. Happy sipping!
Related
Hungry for more tasty treats? Give these a go:
Recipe
Tiger Milk Tea
Print RecipeIngredients
- ¼ cup muscovado sugar or brown sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup boba pearls
- 2 cup milk or non-dairy alternative
- 1 cup black tea optional
- ice as needed
Instructions
- Cook the boba pearls according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a saucepan, mix equal parts sugar and water to make the syrup. Heat until the sugar melts, let it simmer for 5 minutes, then let it cool.
- (Optional) Brew a strong cup of black tea and let it cool.
- Drizzle half of the cooled sugar syrup inside the glass to create tiger stripes. Let it sit for a minute.
- Mix cooked boba pearls with the remaining syrup over low heat for a minute, until sugar coats the boba.
- Spoon sugar-coated boba pearls into the bottom of the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and pour in the milk (or non-dairy alternative).
- If using black tea, pour it over the milk.
- Stir and enjoy your homemade tiger milk tea!
Notes
- Tea options: Feel free to use any tea you like – black, green, oolong, chai, or even herbal.
- Dairy-free alternative: Swap out cow's milk for almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk.
- Sugar substitution: Replace muscovado sugar with brown sugar for a milder sweetness.
Nutrition
kitchenverve.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes on our site. This information is provided as a courtesy from online calculators and should be used only as an estimate. Although we attempt to provide the most accurate nutritional information possible, these figures will vary based on your chosen ingredients and cooking methods.
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