Lychee bubble tea
The lychee bubble tea is fragrant, sweet, and smooth milk tea served with tapioca pearls. Tea flavor gives the depth, lychee gives the sweet fragrant taste, milk imparts smoothness, boba balls give a texture and the bubbles give a unique mouth feels to this drink.
Ingredients
For cooking boba:
- ⅓ cup mini clear boba or any standard boba (tapioca pearls)
- 1 ½ cups water for boiling or more depending on the type of boba (retain ¼ cup for syrup)
- 6 tablespoon white or brown sugar
For brewing tea:
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
- 2 green tea bags or 2 teaspoons of leaves
For making lychee juice:
- 8-9 fresh lychees (or canned lychee)
For assembling the bubble tea:
- ¾ cup milk
- Ice
Instructions
Step 1 cooking boba
- Boil water in a saucepan and add tapioca pearls once the water starts to boil. Now, cook boba as per the packaging instructions. Let the water come to a boil first. When the water is boiling, add boba slowly and let them cook. It may take a minute or 2 more than the suggested time on the package. So, check a pearl to ensure that they are all cooked through.
- Now strain them and retain ¼ cup of water and add white sugar or brown sugar to it. Cook until it forms a thin syrup.
- Let it cool a bit and then pour over the cooked boba to sweeten them and prevent them from sticking together.
- Based on the type of boba, cooking time will vary. ( Read the instructions on the boba package carefully)
Step 2 Brewing tea
- Brew the tea, the way you like it. You can either use teabags. Take boiling water to steep the tea bags. Steep for 3 minutes and then remove the tea bags. Set aside and let the tea cool and then refrigerate.
- Now if you are brewing tea leaves, boil water to the level of a constant boil. Maintain the heat and steep the tea leaves for about 2 minutes in boiling water. Strain and let the tea cool before putting it in the refrigerator.
Step 3 Making lychee juice/ puree
- If you are using fresh lychees, take 8-9 lychees. Remove the skin and the pit. Put them in a food processor and blend to form a smooth puree.
- Then strain the puree to get rid of any pulp chuck if left.
- Let the strained syrup chill in the fridge. ( if you are using canned lychee, see the notes)
Step 4 Assembling the lychee bubble tea
- In to the glasses first, add the tapioca pearls. Now, pour in the sugar syrup. Further, add the tea and lychee juice. Mix everything well. Now add in the ice cubes and pour in the milk. Close the lid and give it a shake. Shaking will create bubbles.
- Grab a wide boba straw and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe will make two glasses of lychee bubble tea. You can double or triple the recipe as per your family's needs. Also, adjust the sugar syrup according to your liking.
- All boba are different. Some are quick to cook than others. Follow the cooking instructions on the package. Also, check a pearl by pressing in between the hands to ensure that they are cooked thoroughly, before turning off the flame.
- You need to prep all the ingredients ahead of time and chill them, before assembling the tea.
- Straining the lychee puree is optional, you can use the puree as such also.
- If you are using the canned lychee for making the bubble tea, use some more as the flavor in the canned lychees is not that fresh and refreshing. You can even use the lychee syrup to sweeten the tapioca pearls.
- Adjust the quantity of sugar syrup based on your liking and the need. You might not need it if you are using a coffee creamer.
Nutritional Facts
Nutrition
Calories: 214kcal
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