Brown Sugar Milk Tea

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This brown sugar milk tea (also called tiger milk tea), is easy to make with just a few ingredients at home. Not only does this bubble tea taste delicious, but it also looks amazing— perfect for Instagram.

Up close of a glass of brown sugar milk tea with the brown sugar dripping down the sides as it mixes in with the milk and cooked boba pearls.

With the brown sugar and milk combo, this bubble tea is definitely more on the dessert side of boba teas, kind of like this taro milk tea or this chocolate milk tea.

But if you do like “healthier” milk teas as well, then you’ll love this blueberry milk tea or this strawberry milk tea.

What is tiger milk tea?

Tiger milk tea is another name for brown sugar milk tea. It is one of the most popular bubble tea flavors — partly for its creamy, caramel taste and partly for its photo-worthy appearance.

It originates from Taiwan, and although most bubble tea drinks do contain tea, this one doesn’t.

The special ingredient for this drink is the brown sugar syrup, which is used to soak the boba and drip down the sides of the glass. Mixed with milk, it creates the look of tiger stripes, which is how this boba tea got its name.

Overhead photo of tiger milk tea on grey marble board, next to a small creamer and spoon of brown sugar.

Why this is the best brown sugar milk tea recipe:

It looks fancy but it’s easy to make. This might be the fanciest looking boba tea recipe but it’s also the simplest to make.
It can be made vegan and dairy-free. Replace the milk with your favorite dairy- free milk for a bubble tea that everyone will enjoy.
It’s way cheaper than buying it from the store. There’s no need to spend $7 on a bubble tea that you can easily make at home.

Ingredient Notes:

The ingredients needed to make this bubble tea recipe - ice, boba, milk, and brown sugar syrup.

Brown sugar syrup: This homemade syrup is very easy to make with brown sugar and water. For this drink, use muscovado brown sugar if you can find it. If not, use regular brown sugar. You may be able to find this flavor of syrup premade, but it is much less common than other syrup flavors.
Milk: 2% milk works best. You can add a dash of cream if you want your drink to be extra creamy. You can substitute this milk for oat milk or almond milk if you prefer.
Boba: Use quick cooking black tapioca pearls. If you can’t find this type, cook the boba according to the package directions.

How to make the brown sugar syrup:

For detailed instructions, see the full brown sugar syrup recipe.

Heat equal parts brown sugar and water on a stove over low to medium heat (ie. 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup water). Stir occasionally.

Once the sugar dissolves, increase the heat slightly to reach a gentle simmer. Continue to very gently simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool to room temperature before using. It will thicken up a lot as it cools. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a few weeks.

FAQ:

What’s the difference between tiger bubble tea and brown sugar boba milk tea?

Nothing! They are the same drink.

Is tiger boba tea vegan?

No, but it is very easy to make this recipe vegan. Just substitute the regular milk for oat milk or almond milk.

Large glass of tiger bubble tea, with brown sugar dripping down the sides as it blends in with the milk, on a light grey background.

Expert Tips:

Use bubble tea straws. The wide straws are perfect for sipping up boba.
Don’t boil or overheat the syrup. Boiling the syrup or heating it for too long can create a super sticky syrup that clings to anything and is very difficult to clean. Only bring it to a gentle simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. This syrup will thicken up a lot as it cools.
Make the boba fresh. Once cooked, boba doesn’t stay fresh for long. Make the boba right before you want to drink your bubble tea.
Coat the boba in syrup right away. Once the boba are cooked, mix them in the syrup right away. This prevents them from sticking together in a large clump.
The “tiger” look fades quickly. Wait to add the milk until you are ready to serve. The tiger effect will fade fairly quickly as the milk mixes in with the brown sugar syrup.

Author: Alejandra
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 1 bubble tea 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This brown sugar milk tea is easy to make with just a few ingredients at home. Not only does this bubble tea taste delicious, but it also looks amazing!

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons quick cooking black tapioca pearls (boba)
3 tablespoons brown sugar syrup
1 cup milk
Handful of ice

Instructions

Cook the boba: Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the boba to the boiling water. At first they will sink to the bottom, and then after 20-30 seconds, they should float to the top. Continue to boil the boba for another 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, strain the boba and run them under cold water for a minute until they are cool.
Add the boba in syrup: As soon as the boba are cooled, coat them in about 1 teaspoon of the brown sugar syrup. This will prevent them from clumping together.
Make the bubble tea: Add the boba and ice to your serving glass. Drip the brown sugar syrup down the sides of the glass. Add the milk and enjoy!

Notes

The tiger stripes effect doesn’t last long! If you want to take pictures, be ready as soon as you add the milk.
If you happen to have made a slightly thinner brown sugar syrup and it isn’t sticking as well to the sides, add the milk to the glass first, then drip the syrup down the sides of the glass.
You can use a ready-made brown sugar syrup if you can find one.
Drink your bubble tea with wide bubble tea straws to sip up the boba.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Bubble Tea
Method: Mixed
Cuisine: Taiwanese