• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Littlest Crumb
  • Seasonal Fall Cocktails
  • Cocktails
  • Shots & Shooters
  • Mocktails
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Seasonal Fall Cocktails
  • Cocktails
  • Shots & Shooters
  • Mocktails
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Seasonal Fall Cocktails
  • Cocktails
  • Shots & Shooters
  • Mocktails
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Drinks » Bubble Tea

Almond Milk Tea

Published: Feb 5, 2023 · Modified: Jan 28, 2024 by Ali

Jump to Recipe

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This refreshing almond milk tea is an easy & healthy homemade bubble tea recipe. Save money and time making this copycat drink at home!

A glass of almond milk tea on a white marble table.

If you love bubble tea but don’t love paying to buy it at the boba tea store, then it is much easier to make it at home yourself. 

Plus, stores often use packaged and artificial flavoring that is not as healthy as making it yourself. For example, this strawberry milk tea, this blueberry milk tea and this mango milk tea are all made from real fruit!

You can also make the copycat versions of the classic flavors, such as this taro milk tea or this brown sugar milk tea.

Or, try some different, creative flavors like this oreo milk tea or this chocolate milk tea.

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Step By Step Instructions
  • Storage
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This bubble tea is made with both almond milk and almond extract which gives the tea a delicious, slightly nutty flavor.
  • Making this version at home is much less expensive than buying it from the bubble tea store.
  • This version is made with almond milk, making it a lot healthier than store bought options that use cream (however, you can easily substitute it for cream if you want a creamier bubble tea).
  • The recipe is fully customizable so you can adjust the creaminess and sweetness to your liking.
  • This almond bubble tea is both dairy-free and vegan, so it can accommodate all dietary needs!

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients needed to make the almond bubble tea.
  • Almond Milk: Use a high quality brand of almond milk. Since the brown sugar syrup acts as a sweetener, choose an unsweetened almond milk. If you use vanilla almond milk, you will have a slightly sweeter flavor with a hint of vanilla, but it is still delicious. For a creamy milk tea, replace half of the almond milk with heavy cream.
  • Tea: You can use whichever type of tea you like. This recipe works with both black tea, such as Assam, English Breakfast, or Earl Grey tea. For a more mild taste, try Oolong tea or a green tea such as Jasmine or Sencha. You can even make a variation of this almond milk tea with matcha.
  • Brown Sugar & Water: Brown sugar and water are used to make the brown sugar syrup that coats the boba pearls and sweetens the tea. Any type of brown sugar will work, but a dark brown sugar will add a richer flavor.
  • Tapioca Pearls: I prefer quick cooking black tapioca pearls since they save a lot of time making the bubble tea. However, you can use whichever type of tapioca pearls you like, as long as you follow the cooking instructions on the package.

Equipment

Here is the equipment you will need to make the almond boba milk tea:

  • A small saucepan to make the brown sugar syrup as well as to cook the boba pearls in.
  • A kettle to boil the water to make the tea.
  • Bubble tea straws to drink the bubble tea with and a bubble tea travel mug to drink the milk tea in.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Heat the brown sugar and water together on a pan until the brown sugar fully dissolves. Remove the syrup from the stovetop and let it cool for a few minutes.

A process photo illustrating step 1.

Step 2: Boil the water and add in the tapioca pearls. Cook the pearls according to the instructions on the packet. Once chewy, strain out the boba pearls and immediately mix them into the brown sugar syrup.

A process photo illustrating step 2.

Step 3: Add the boba pearls with their syrup to a glass filled with ice.

A process photo illustrating step 3.

Step 4: Add the steeped black tea.

A process photo illustrating step 4.

Step 5: Pour in the almond milk and dash of almond extract. Stir to combine.

A process photo illustrating step 5.

Storage

For the best results, store each ingredient separately in an airtight container in the fridge and mix them together right before serving. 

The tea and brown sugar syrup will last up to a week in the fridge. 

I don’t recommend storing boba pearls once they are cooked — always make them fresh. Boba pearls will only last a couple hours before they start to harden. 

If you happen to have leftover almond milk tea, remove and discard any leftover boba and ice. Then, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 days.

Expert Tips

  • Add the cooked boba to the syrup right away. The brown sugar syrup prevents the boba from sticking together. As soon as you strain the boba from the syrup, mix them into the syrup, making sure they are fully covered.
  • Always make the boba fresh. Cooked boba hardens quickly. “Quick cooking” boba cooks within 5 to 10 minutes, but it hardens faster than other types. Plan to consume your bubble tea within a couple hours of preparation for best results.
  • Use a bubble tea straw. Regular straws won’t work for sipping up boba pearls. You can buy reusable boba tea straws made specifically for bubble tea.
  • Add in some cream. This almond milk tea is less creamy (but healthier) than store bought bubble tea. If you want an extra creamy version, replace half (or all) of the almond milk with heavy cream.

Recipe FAQs

Does this almond bubble tea taste like almonds?

This almond milk tea has a subtle, nutty almond flavor. The almond extract helps to bring out the almond flavor without it overpowering the rest of the tea.

Can you serve this almond milk tea hot?

Yes. To serve this bubble tea warm, don’t let the tea cool down after brewing. Warm the almond milk in the microwave for 30 seconds. Don’t overheat the almond milk or it will curdle. Mix the ingredients together and serve warm.

Does almond milk tea have caffeine?

Yes. Tea contains some caffeine so the bubble tea will also contain caffeine.

Can I cold brew the tea?

Yes. If you want to cold brew the tea, add the tea bag to cold water and let it sit in the fridge overnight.

A glass of almond bubble tea with boba, on a white marble table.
Print

📖 Recipe

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A glass of almond milk bubble tea on a white marble table.

Almond Milk Tea


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 1 bubble tea 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This refreshing almond milk tea is an easy & healthy homemade bubble tea recipe. Save money and time making this copycat drink at home!


Ingredients

Scale
  • Brown Sugar Syrup:
    • 2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
    • 2 tbsp water
  • Tapioca Pearls: 
    • 2 cups water
    • ¼ cup tapioca pearls
  • Almond Milk Tea:
    • ½ cup water, boiling
    • 1 black tea bag
    • ½ cup almond milk*
    • dash of almond extract

Instructions

  1. Make the brown sugar syrup: Heat the brown sugar and water together on a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the sugar has completely dissolved, remove the syrup from the stove and let it cool to room temperature.
  2. Make the Tapioca Pearls: Bring a medium sized pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the tapioca pearls and cook according to the package instructions. Once chewy, strain out the boba pearls and immediately add them to the brown sugar syrup, coating them in the mixture.
  3. Make the Almond Milk Tea: Steep the tea bag in ½ cup of boiling water for 5 minutes. Then, remove the tea bag and let the tea cool to room temperature. Stir in the almond milk, dash of almond extract and boba pearls in the brown sugar syrup. Serve over ice.

Notes

  • *For a creamier drink, replace half (or all) of the almond milk with heavy cream.
  • The brown sugar syrup prevents the boba from sticking together. Add the cooked boba to the syrup right away.
  • Regular straws won’t work for sipping up boba pearls. You can buy reusable boba tea straws made specifically for bubble tea.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Bubble Tea
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Taiwanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bubble tea
  • Calories: 246
  • Sugar: 25.9g
  • Sodium: 11mg
  • Fat: 1.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 59g
  • Fiber: 0.6g
  • Protein: 0.6g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

More Bubble Tea Recipes

  • Overhead view of a lychee bubble tea with brown sugar syrup and black tapioca pearls.
    Lychee Bubble Tea
  • Oreo milk tea topped with whipped cream and Oreo crumbles, sitting on a white marble serving board.
    Oreo Milk Tea
  • A spoon stirring the matcha milk tea to mix the green matcha and white almond milk together.
    Matcha Milk Tea (Matcha Bubble Tea)
  • A glass of brown sugar milk tea with tiger stripes down the side of the glass.
    Brown Sugar Milk Tea (Brown Sugar Boba Bubble Tea)

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Primary Sidebar

Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

Trending

  • Slice of billy miner pie drenched in caramel and chocolate sauce.
    Billy Miner Pie Recipe
  • RumChata french toast topped with fresh raspberries and rumchata whipped cream.
    RumChata French Toast
  • Close up view of 3 pieces of crispy pan fried gnocchi covered in garlic parmesan sauce on a wooden spoon.
    Crispy Pan Fried Gnocchi
  • A glass of iced oat milk latte topped with frothed oat milk and garnished with a cinnamon stick.
    Iced Oat Milk Latte

Summer Cocktails

  • A pineapple mimosa in a champagne flute, garnished with a pineapple slice.
    Pineapple Mimosa
  • Overhead view of a pina colada with coconut milk, garnished with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry.
    Piña Colada With Coconut Milk
  • A blue hurricane drink garnished with maraschino cherries and a lime slice, on a marble table.
    Blue Hurricane Drink
  • A pink guava margarita on the rocks, garnished with lime and a salted rim.
    Guava Margarita

Summer Drinks

  • A strawberry basil mocktail garnished with fresh basil leaves and strawberry slices.
    Strawberry Basil Mocktail
  • Up close photo of banana watermelon smoothie, surrounded by ice cubes and watermelon slices.
    Banana Watermelon Smoothie
  • Overhead view of a spicy margarita garnished with sliced jalapenos.
    Spicy Margarita Mocktail
  • Overhead view of a lychee bubble tea with brown sugar syrup and black tapioca pearls.
    Lychee Bubble Tea

Footer

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions

Newsletter

  • Subscribe for the latest recipes.

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 The Littlest Crumb