Rose Bubble Tea (Rose Milk Tea with Boba)

5 from 1 vote

A black tea with dried rose buds flavors this sweet bubble tea, plus my secret for the best boba.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Taiwanese

Servings: serving (16 ounces)

Author: Jee Choe

Steep dried rose buds and tea bag in hot water for 5 minutes.
Roughly chop dried rose buds before steeping in water to get a stronger rose flavor.
Set the temperature to 195°F if you're using an electric kettle with a temperature setting. Use filtered water if possible.
Strain the rose buds and tea bag. Stir in sugar.
Stir until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.

Boil ¾ cup of water and brown sugar in a saucepan. Add tapioca balls.
Combine water and brown sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once you see big bubbles (2-4 minutes), add tapioca balls. Keep boiling for 8 more minutes on medium-high heat. Turn off heat and cool slightly, until tapioca balls are quite warm, but aren't too hot to eat.

Put tapioca balls and brown sugar syrup into a cup. Add ice, pour in tea, then top with milk.
Serve immediately and stir before drinking. Use an extra wide straw to drink.

Any black tea can be used, including English Breakfast tea, which is a blend of black teas. Tea sachets or loose tea will work, but tea bags are easier to use and clean up.
White sugar can be used instead of brown sugar if that's what you have.
Whole milk makes the drink creamier but any milk can be used, including plant-based milk like oat milk and almond milk.
Loose tea and tea sachets contain better quality tea than tea bags but since this drink is made with sugar and milk, you don't need to use the more expensive teas. The subtle differences you find with high quality tea will be lost in the drink.
When tapioca balls are still very warm, but not burning hot, they have the perfect consistency. Use warm tapioca balls for a soft and chewy boba.
Tapioca balls will harden as they cool so it's best to make them right before you want to make the drink.
The black tea and dried rose buds can be steeped ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Don't add the sugar until you're ready to make the drink.
Any black tea can be used but avoid Earl Grey tea, which has a citrus note that may not go so well with the rose flavor.
Bubble tea is always served with a wide straw. This allows you to sip the tea with a few tapioca balls at the same time. Make sure to chew the tapioca balls instead of swallowing them whole.