This beautifully green Matcha Milk Tea with Boba (or Matcha Bubble Tea) is a delicious balance of sweet, earthy, and creamy flavors.
With simple ingredients- matcha tea, simple syrup, half and half, and boba you will have the best matcha drink ever. Plus it is easy, quick, and made in the comfort of your own home.
For more matcha, try my Cherry Matcha Refresher, Dark Chocolate Matcha Cookies, or this Matcha Cheesecake!
What is Matcha Milk Tea (Matcha Bubble Tea)?
Matcha Milk Tea is a delicious and lightly caffeinated drink made with matcha tea, half and half, and simple syrup. It can be made hot or cold and with or without boba bubbles (tapioca pearls made with cassava flour). When milk tea has the addition of boba bubbles it is then referred to as Bubble Tea or Boba Tea. If you love matcha tea, you have to make this!
What Does Matcha Tea Taste Like?
Matcha is a bright green tea that is ground into a very fine powder. It isn’t steeped like traditional teas, instead it is dissolved in warm (not boiling) water. The taste is earthy and slightly bitter, but adding simple syrup and cream to it balances everything.
Ingredients in Matcha Milk Tea
Below are a few key things to note with each of these ingredients.
- Matcha Tea (dissolved in warm water): This recipe uses 1 teaspoon of Japanese culinary matcha for every 1 cup of water. The amount of matcha can be reduced or increased depending on your taste preference.
- Half and Half: This is traditional for milk tea but feel free to substitute it for any neutral flavored milk to fit your needs.
- Simple Syrup: This adds sweetness and flavor to the matcha tea and boba. Feel free to use store-bought or my recipe.
- Boba (optional): There are two types of boba, I recommend using quick cook boba. They require a lot less time and effort to make.
PRO TIP: Use high quality ingredients! Because this recipe only has 4, maybe 5 ingredients, you want them to taste good.
How To Make Matcha Milk Tea
This Matcha Milk Tea can be made with or without boba bubbles. I prefer mine with boba because who doesn’t love those chewy, sweet balls of goodness.
- Make the matcha tea. In a jar add warm water and matcha tea powder, shake until dissolved.
- Cool the tea to room temperature. Warm tea will curdle the milk and make your milk tea chunky. Yuck!
- Cook the boba as specified on the package and then soak them in a syrup tea mixture for at least 10 minutes.
- To a glass add the prepared boba (optional), simple syrup, ice, cooled matcha tea, and half and half.
- Stir well with a boba straw.
PRO TIP: Adjust the amount of simple syrup to your liking. If the matcha is bitter you can add more simple syrup. Or if you want your Matcha Milk Tea to have less sugar in it, reduce the amount of simple syrup.
4 Things You Need to Know About Boba Bubbles
- Boba should always be made right before you are going to make your bubble tea for the best flavor and texture.
- Boba needs to be soaked in something so they don’t taste like flavorless starch balls. In this recipe the boba is soaked in tea and simple syrup so it takes on the same flavors as the Matcha Milk Tea.
- Never store boba in the refrigerator because they will get tough and hard. You need to use them immediately or throw any leftovers out.
- Boba pearls will not go through regular straws, so I recommend having some reusable boba tea straws.
Matcha Milk Tea Variations:
- Try different flavors of simple syrup: Caramel Simple Syrup, Strawberry Simple Syrup, Vanilla Simple Syrup, Cardamom Syrup, Cinnamon Simple Syrup, etc.
- Top it off with whipped cream or sweet cream!
- Drizzle a sauce on the inside of your glass and overtop of the bubble milk tea. You can also use caramel butterscotch, chocolate, strawberry or other fruit flavored syrups too!
- Add a dusting of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Yes because matcha tea has caffeine in it. A cup of matcha tea containers around 70mg of caffeine which is more than green tea but less than a cup of coffee.
Yes, and it is quite simple! Just heat the half and half and simple syrup over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Then add to a tea cup or mug, the warm matcha tea and warmed half and half and simple syrup. Stir and sip carefully!
You can purchase them on Amazon (not an affiliate link to earn money) because it is easy. You can also check your ethnic food aisle for them. Just be sure you are buying quick cook black boba. You will also want to make sure you have reusable boba straws too.
I do not like to tell people what is and is not healthy for them. I will say, Matcha is packed with nutrients that are very beneficial to our health.
Watch Me Make Matcha Boba Tea
More Bubble Tea and Milk Tea Recipes To Try:
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Matcha Milk Tea
EQUIPMENT
- glassware - glass can shaped
- straws - large boba sized
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup warm water - around 170 °F
- 1 teaspoon matcha tea powder - Japanese culinary grade
- ½ cup half and half - or other types of milk
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup - store bought or homemade
For the Boba; optional
- 1 cup boiling water
- ¼ cup bobas - tapioca pearls (quick cook variety)
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup - store bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon matcha tea - taken from prepared amount
INSTRUCTIONS
How to Make Matcha Tea
- Pour warm water into a glass jar and add the matcha tea powder. Place lid tightly on the jar and shake for a few minute (the matcha should be completely dissolved in the water).
How to Make Boba
- Boil the water and add boba. Cook according to package instructions.
- In a small bowl combine the simple syrup and 1 tablespoon of the prepared matcha tea with the boiled boba. Allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes.
COLD Matcha Milk Tea with Boba Bubble
- To a glass add the prepared boba (optional), simple syrup, ice, cooled to room temperature matcha tea, and half and half.
- Stir well with a boba tea straw and drink.
HOT Matcha Milk Tea
- In a saucepan add the half and half and simple syrup. Heat over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Remove from heat.
- To a tea cup or mug, add the hot matcha tea, and warmed half and half and simple syrup.
- Stir and sip!
VIDEO
RECIPE NOTES
Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
I love how creamy, comforting this matcha tea comes out! And the simple syrup is the perfect addition.
This is way better than store-bought milk tea! This matcha milk tea is indeed so rich, creamy and flavorful. And it is super easy to make!
I’ve been wanting to make boba at home forever and I finally gave it a try with this recipe. Such a treat!
I fell in love with this matcha milk tea! It was light, but flavorful. I loved the way the matcha held its own against the delicious milk tea flavor without overpowering it. The perfect balance made for one awesome drink!
This matcha drink was so refreshing! I’d never tried making it at home but it turned out great!