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The Best Brown Sugar Milk Tea Boba Recipe

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4.3 from 70 reviews

  • Author: Mary & Susan
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings

Description

This recipe guides you through making the best brown sugar milk tea boba at home, combining rich black tea-infused milk, chewy tapioca pearls steeped in a sweet brown sugar syrup, and a deeply caramelized brown sugar syrup to coat the cup for an indulgent treat. Perfect for bubble tea lovers craving a homemade version of this popular café beverage.

Ingredients

Milk Tea

  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 black tea bags

Boba Pearls

  • 1/2 cup boba (tapioca pearls)
  • 6 cups water (for boiling boba)

Brown Sugar Boba Bath

  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar or muscovado sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup boiling hot water

Caramelized Brown Sugar Syrup

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water (for caramelization)
  • 1/2 cup water (for dissolving brown sugar)
  • 1 cup brown sugar or muscovado sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Milk Tea: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 3 cups milk and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Heat until it simmers gently, then remove from heat. Add 2 black tea bags and let steep for 20 minutes to infuse the milk. Pour the tea into a large bowl or cup and refrigerate until chilled.
  2. Cook the Boba Pearls: Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add 1/2 cup boba and stir until the pearls float to the top. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and let the boba sit in the hot water for another 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the boba once done.
  3. Steep the Boba in Brown Sugar Bath: In a small heatproof bowl, mix 1/2 cup dark brown sugar or muscovado sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir until sugars dissolve. Add the cooked boba to this syrup and let it steep for 25 minutes, allowing the pearls to absorb the sweetness.
  4. Prepare the Caramelized Brown Sugar Syrup – Part 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water. Whisk gently until the sugar dissolves. Heat over medium-high until it boils, then reduce to medium heat. Let it simmer without whisking, swirling the pan occasionally to prevent burning. Continue until the mixture caramelizes and deepens to a rich brown color, around 15-20 minutes.
  5. Prepare the Brown Sugar Mixture – Part 2: Meanwhile, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil in a second saucepan. Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1 cup brown sugar or muscovado sugar until fully dissolved. Set aside.
  6. Combine Syrups: Once the white sugar caramel syrup has developed a deep brown color, quickly add the brown sugar mixture from step 5 into the caramelized syrup and whisk briskly to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  7. Assemble and Serve: Drizzle the caramelized brown sugar syrup on the inside walls of serving cups. Add the steeped brown sugar boba pearls and some ice cubes. Pour in the chilled milk tea, then add 1-2 tablespoons of the brown sugar boba steeping syrup to taste. Stir gently and enjoy your homemade brown sugar milk tea boba.

Notes

  • Steeping the tea in milk rather than water delivers a richer, creamier flavor.
  • Be patient with cooking and resting the boba pearls; this ensures their signature chewy texture.
  • Do not whisk the syrup while it caramelizes to prevent crystallization and burning.
  • If fresh tapioca pearls are unavailable, substitute with store-bought cooked pearls, but flavour may differ slightly.
  • Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar syrup added to your cup.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Taiwanese

Find it online: https://mysimpledish.com/the-best-brown-sugar-milk-tea-boba-recipe/