Tiger Milk Tea

Create this indulgent milk tea at home with only 4 simple ingredients! Another popular bubble tea recipe, tiger milk tea is combines the wonderful flavors of rich black tea with brown sugar, and milk, and mixed with boba, cooked to perfection!

Tiger Bubble Tea

Traditional tiger milk tea is a delicious and refreshing beverage that can be enjoyed any time of day. This tea, also known as tiger boba (or bubble) tea, or black tiger milk tea, is made by combining black tea with milk and boba (tapioca pearls), which gives it a unique and flavorful taste. While tiger milk tea may seem like a complicated drink to make, it is actually quite simple to prepare. In just a few easy steps and a few simple ingredients, you can be enjoying a cup of this delectable energizing tea in no time.

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What is Tiger Milk tea? Where did it come from?

The origins of tiger milk tea are unknown, but it has been a popular beverage in Taiwan and other parts of Asia. Broadly defined, Milk tea is a beverage that is made by brewing tea with milk and/or cream. It is popular in many parts of the world, including Asia and Europe. There are many variations of milk tea, including black tiger milk tea.

Tiger boba tea is another variation to try! In general boba tea (also called bubble tea) is a drink made from black tea and tapioca pearls. It is commonly served cold.

It is no wonder this tea became popular so quickly! Variations of tiger milk tea, also known as tiger boba (bubble) tea or black tiger milk tea, are all refreshing and energizing drink that has become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years. With so many customized options, you’ll have to try this one several ways as you perfect your favorite flavor combination of sweet, creamy, and black tea!

What are the benefits of Tiger Milk tea?

There are many purported benefits of tiger milk tea, including increased energy levels. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Instead, tiger milk tea is simply enjoyed for its pleasant aroma and refreshing taste. This tea is a great alternative to sugary soft drinks or coffee. Whether you are looking for an energizing pick-me-up or a soothing cup of tea to wind down with at night, tiger milk tea is the perfect drink for you. So why not give it a try? You may just find that it becomes your new favorite beverage!

Flavor Profile

Tiger milk tea is milky and sweet. It has a complex flavor profile, with hints of wonderful deep tea, caramel, and molasses undertones. It isn’t overly sweet either! It is unique and combines the sweetness of milk with the strong notes of black tea. The addition of boba balls to the drink adds a fun and interesting texture that many people enjoy. Some people also add tigerstripe food coloring to the drink in order to create a tiger-like appearance. This tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on your preference. This recipe is an excellent option if you’re searching for a revitalizing and invigorating beverage. Give it a try today!

Why You will LOVE Tiger Boba Tea

There are many reasons why you will love tiger boba tea. Here are a few of my favorites!

• Unique flavor
• Easily customizable
• Simple to make
• Looks beautiful
• Can enjoy hot or cold

Ingredients

• Brown Sugar Syrup – You can make your own or choose to purchase. Below I detail how to make this super simple but flavor-packed secret syrup!
• Black Tea – I like English Breakfast, but any black tea will work well. Irish Breakfast tea, as well as Assam, are both delicious. 
• Milk – A creamy full-fat milk is popular, but you can also choose plant-based milk. I personally enjoy unsweetened almond milk or oat milk.
• Boba – I used black sugar boba in this recipe. If you have a local Asian market, you might want to try another boba such as golden boba or colored boba.
• Water – I always encourage using your best water. Good water makes good tea. Freshwater contains more oxygen which plays an important role in brewing tea. It results in better flavor and aroma.

How to Make Brown Sugar Bubble Tea Syrup

Making your own brown sugar syrup is incredibly simple and only takes about 5 minutes, or less!

Combine 1 Cup of water with 1 Cup of brown sugar in a saucepan. Cook on low stirring occasionally until sugar is fully dissolved. Turn off the heat and cool. Once it is cool enough to handle it is ready for use. See here for more details on making and storing your own liquid sugar. 

How to Cook Boba

For the perfect cup of tea, it is important to use quality boba. Boba is made of tapioca which is typically used in bubble tea. Boba tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. It has since become popular around the world, especially in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Boba tea can now be found in many cafes and restaurants.

What kind of boba can be used for Tiger Milk tea?

When shopping for instant boba, you will notice a large variety of options. In this recipe, I chose black sugar boba, but you can use what you like best. Golden boba or colored boba are also fun choices.

Cooking Instructions

When cooking boba, it is important to use a large pot of boiling water. This will ensure that the pearls cook evenly and do not stick together. Boba is typically cooked for about 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender but still have a bit of chewiness.

Once the boba is cooked, add it to the tea and stir well to combine. Serve tiger milk tea over ice and enjoy!

• Add 8 cups of water to a pot on the stovetop.
• Bring to a boil.
• Pour in boba and stir gently. (I used black sugar boba)
• Watch for the boba bubbles to rise to the top of the pot.
• Once the boba balls have risen, cook for about 3-5 minutes. (You can adjust the time longer or shorter to the amount of chewiness you prefer.)
• Strain out boba and rinse. Pour into a glass bowl and top with brown sugar syrup. Your boba is now ready to use.

How to Make Tiger Milk Tea

The first step in making tiger milk tea is to brew a pot of black tea such as Earl Grey or English Breakfast. Once the tea is brewed, add milk and boba to taste. For a traditional tiger milk tea, it is best to use whole milk for a rich and creamy flavor. However, you can also use condensed milk or soy milk, or almond milk if you prefer. Once you have added the desired amount of milk, stir well to combine.

1. Prepare tea by bringing 1 cup of water to a boil. Add in 1 heaping teaspoon of black tea. Steep covered, for 5 minutes. Strain out tea leaves and allow the tea to cool.
2. Scoop prepared boba into the cup.
3. Pour tea on top.
4. Spoon in brown sugar and brush the spoon against the sides of the cup to create the tiger stripe effect. 
5. Top with milk.
6. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Tiger Milk Tea vs Thai Tea

Tiger milk tea is a popular drink made with black tea, milk, and boba. It gets its name from the tiger stripe pattern that is created when brown sugar is brushed against the sides of the cup.

Thai iced tea is a similar drink that is also made with black tea, and milk. However, it uses a different flavor of sweetener and typically has a stronger tea flavor. Thai iced tea also contains a few spices such as star anise and cloves. It can also be flavored with a bit of orange blossom. It is often sweetened with sweetened condensed milk and uses richer full-fat milk such as half and half.

When it comes to deciding between tiger milk tea and Thai iced tea, it really comes down to personal preference. If you like a sweeter drink, then tiger milk tea may be your best choice. If you prefer a stronger tea flavor, then Thai iced tea might be more up your alley. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which drink you enjoy more!

What kind of teas can be used for Tiger Milk tea?

Any black tea can be used in this recipe.

More Tea Recipes You Will Love!

• Okinawa Milk Tea
• Rose Milk Tea
• Lady Grey Tea
• Assam Milk Tea
• Coconut Milk Tea
• Cinnamon Milk Tea
• Ginger Milk Tea

I hope you enjoy this tea recipe. I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and if you try this recipe, please come back and leave a 5-star review! And be sure to check out my other blog posts for more great tips and recipes!