Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea

Ingredients:

For the Boba (Tapioca Pearls):

• 1/2 cup tapioca pearls (available at Asian grocery stores or online)
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar

For the Brown Sugar Syrup:

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water

For the Milk Tea:

• 2 black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose black tea)
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup whole milk (or dairy-free alternative like almond, oat, or coconut milk)
• 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar syrup (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Cook the Tapioca Pearls:
   • Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the tapioca pearls to the boiling water, stirring gently to prevent them from sticking together.
   • Boil the tapioca pearls for 10-15 minutes or according to the package instructions, until they become soft and chewy.
   • Once cooked, remove from heat, cover the saucepan, and let the pearls sit for another 10 minutes.
   • Drain the pearls and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. Prepare the Brown Sugar Syrup:
   • In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup dark brown sugar and 1/4 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
   • Remove from heat and add the cooked tapioca pearls to the syrup, stirring to coat them well. Let the pearls soak in the syrup while you prepare the tea.
3. Brew the Tea:
   • Steep the black tea bags in 1 1/2 cups of hot water for 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired tea strength. If using loose tea, strain the tea leaves after steeping.
   • Remove the tea bags or strain the tea, and let the brewed tea cool to room temperature.
4. Assemble the Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea:
   • Spoon a few tablespoons of the brown sugar-coated boba into the bottom of a glass. Use a spoon to drizzle some of the brown sugar syrup along the sides of the glass to create a marbled effect.
   • Add ice cubes to the glass, filling it about halfway.
   • Pour the cooled black tea over the ice, filling the glass about two-thirds of the way.
   • Top off the glass with milk and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more brown sugar syrup if desired.
5. Serve:
   • Serve the brown sugar boba milk tea with a wide straw for sipping the boba pearls or a spoon to enjoy each chewy bite.

Tips:

• Customizable Sweetness: Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar syrup to your drink.
• Milk Alternatives: Feel free to use any type of milk or non-dairy alternative. Coconut milk adds a rich, tropical flavor, while oat milk provides a creamy texture.
• Pre-made Boba: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought ready-made boba, often found in the freezer section of Asian grocery stores.

Enjoy your homemade brown sugar boba milk tea, a delightful blend of rich caramel-like sweetness and creamy milk tea, perfect for a refreshing treat!