As bubble tea shops continue to grow in popularity in the US, the coffee shop is the next frontier for the tea-based treat.  With the giants of the coffee industry already testing bubble tea recipes on their menus, now is the time to consider how your café can introduce exciting interpretations of this drink. 

What is Bubble Tea?

Bubble milk tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. Through the 1990s it rapidly spread throughout Asia and eventually reached California in 1997.  The base recipe is simple but delicious: brown sugar and tapioca starch for the boba, with condensed milk and strong black tea.  Black tea can easily be swapped out for green, oolong, and herbal options.  Some popular choices are Assam, Ceylon, jasmine green, matcha, and rose.  Teas with robust flavors work best.

You’ll often hear the names bubble tea and boba tea used interchangeably. Boba is the name for the tapioca balls that are added to the drink. Boba is a vital element, however, bubble tea is the official name of the finished drink!

How to incorporate Bubble Tea in your café menu

As the bubble tea industry has expanded, so have the number of customizations that shops offer.  Jellies, custards, foams, fruits, and flavors mean that each drink can be as unique as the customer ordering it.

Top sellers like Earl Grey, Masala chai, and matcha are all fantastic bases for a delicious milk tea!  If you’re planning a spring/summer menu, fruity and floral teas like jasmine green and hibiscus berry will look beautiful with sliced fruit and colorful popping boba.  Coffee customers only?  Iced coffee and brown sugar are a match made in heaven!

See below for some of the recipes we put together using Royal New York tea and coffee. Give these a try or use them as inspiration for your own creative bubble tea recipes!

Bubble Tea Recipes for your café menu

Papaya Pineapple Lemonade with Mango Popping Boba

Ingredients:

4 oz Royal New York Papaya Pineapple Punch Tea

4 oz lemonade

1/4 to 1/2 cup mango popping boba

How to make:

Add boba and ice to cup, then pour in lemonade and Papaya Pineapple Punch tea. Stir to combine, add sweetener/additional boba to taste and enjoy!

Iced Milk Coffee with Brown Sugar Boba

Ingredients:

8 oz Royal New York brewed coffee – we recommend RNY # 48302

2 tbsp condensed milk

1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar tapioca pearls

How to make:

Add boba and ice to cup, then pour in condensed milk and brewed coffee. Stir to combine, add sweetener/additional boba to taste and enjoy!

Golden Oat Milk Bubble Tea with Peach

Ingredients:

2 oz Royal New York Organic Turmeric Ginger Tea

4 oz Oat Milk

6 g pureed peaches (you can use frozen, canned or fresh!)

Brown sugar tapioca pearls

How to make:

Add boba and ice to cup, then pour in pureed peaches, organic turmeric ginger tea and oat milk. Stir to combine, add sweetener/additional boba to taste and enjoy!

Matcha Coconut Milk Tea with Lychee

Ingredients:

2 g Royal New York matcha

8 oz coconut milk

Coconut water ice cubes

1/4 to 1/2 cup of lychees

How to make:

Add lychees and coconut water ice to cup, then pour in matcha and coconut milk. Stir to combine, add sweetener/additional lychees to taste and enjoy!