Vanilla milk tea is comforting, refreshing, and surprisingly easy to make at home. Forget complicated recipes with hard-to-find ingredients—this recipe delivers pure vanilla flavor in a simple, customizable drink you can enjoy hot or iced.
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If you’re a bubble tea drinker, you’re going to love this new recipe! This is based on my jasmine milk tea recipe but with a vanilla twist! It’s so good! I’ve been on a milk tea kick lately and vanilla has become my new favorite.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: No need for expensive vanilla bean pods or fancy powders. We rely on readily available black tea, pure vanilla extract, and your favorite milk.
- Easy to Customize: Whether you prefer almond, oat, coconut, or soy milk, this recipe works beautifully. Adjust the sweetness to your liking with maple syrup, agave, or your preferred sweetener.
- Pure Vanilla Flavor: Real vanilla extract provides an authentic and rich vanilla taste that shines through.
- Can Be Made Hot or Iced: Enjoy it as a warm, comforting drink on a chilly day or as a refreshing iced beverage when the weather is warm.
Ingredients
What I love about making milk teas at home is that it really doesn’t take many ingredients to make it. Here are the key components:
- Black Tea: Using bagged black tea makes this recipe quick and easy. However, you can substitute loose-leaf black tea if preferred. Adjust the steeping time based on the type of tea used.
- Tapioca Pearls (Boba): Pre-cooked or quick-cooking tapioca pearls are recommended for convenience. Follow the package instructions carefully for best results. Different brands may have varying cooking times.
- Maple Syrup/Sweetener: Maple syrup adds a subtle caramel-like sweetness, but agave syrup, honey, or granulated sugar can be used as alternatives. Adjust the amount to your desired sweetness level.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract rather than imitation for the most authentic and intense vanilla flavor.
- Milk: The choice of milk significantly impacts the final flavor and texture. Almond milk provides a light, nutty flavor, while oat milk offers a creamy texture. Coconut milk adds a rich creaminess as well. Choose your favorite!
Variations
- Vanilla Chai Milk Tea: Steep chai tea bags instead of black tea for a warm, spiced twist. Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for extra flavor.
- Vanilla Matcha Bubble Tea: Prepare matcha according to package instructions. Cool, then combine with vanilla extract, milk, and tapioca pearls. It’s a great twist on a regular matcha bubble tea!
- Vanilla Caramel Milk Tea: Add a drizzle of caramel syrup to the prepared tea for a richer, sweeter flavor.
- Vanilla Lavender Milk Tea: Add a few drops of lavender extract or steep a lavender tea bag along with the black tea for a floral twist.
How to Make Vanilla Milk Tea
Steep the Tea: Place the black tea bags in a cup of hot water and steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Tapioca Pearls: Cook the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the maple syrup or sweetener of choice.
Assemble the Milk Tea: Divide the sweetened tapioca pearls into tall glasses. If making iced milk tea, add ice cubes. Pour the cooled vanilla tea over the pearls and ice.
Add Milk and Serve: Pour your milk of choice into the glasses and stir gently to combine. Serve immediately with large straws. For hot milk tea, heat the milk and tea, and leave out the ice.
Tips
- Adjust the steeping time of the tea to your preference. A longer steep will result in a stronger tea flavor.
- For a creamier milk tea, use full-fat coconut milk or dairy milk. Taste and adjust the sweetness to your liking.
- If you don’t have tapioca pearls, you can omit them or substitute with other toppings like jellies.
- If you are making hot milk tea, warm the milk before adding it to the tea.
Storage
It’s best to consume vanilla milk tea immediately. However, you can store leftover milk tea in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The tapioca pearls may become firm, so it’s recommended to consume them as soon as possible.
FAQs
Yes, you can use any tea you prefer, such as green tea, oolong tea, or herbal tea.
Absolutely. You can use any sweetener you like. Coconut sugar is another great option.
Reduce the amount of sweetener used or omit it altogether.
More milk teas to try next
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Vanilla Milk Tea
Ingredients
- 2 bags black tea
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup cooked tapioca pearls
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or sweetener of choice like agave syrup
- Ice cubes for serving
- 1 cup milk of choice I used almond milk
Instructions
- Steep the tea bags in a cup of hot water for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.2 bags black tea, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Meanwhile, prepare the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the boba and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the maple syrup to sweeten.½ cup cooked tapioca pearls, 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Divide the boba pearls into glasses, followed by ice cubes, the cooled vanilla tea, and the milk. Stir to combine and enjoy!1 cup milk of choice, Ice cubes
Notes
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