Did Anyone Say Boba Latte? Here is a Simple Recipe
The latest craze is the boba latte and trust us when we say, boba with an iced latte is a match made in heaven!
This is not to be confused with boba coffee, which is different yet kind of similar...
People all around the world are obsessed with sweet boba tea drinks with different boba tea flavors popping up constantly!
In this article, we will cover what it is and what it tastes like.
Also, if you are one of the fanatics who wants some, but dreads standing in long lines waiting to get your favorite beverage, then fret not!
We are here with a solution.
We come bearing a simple recipe for your soon-to-be favorite drink. Follow the recipe and make your favorite drink at home!
PS: You might not be able to order this boba tea at your local bubble tea shop, as they may not have this variation. Yes, this may be a misnomer but nowadays people refer to milk tea as bubble tea, boba and any drink with pearls at the bottom, even if they do not contain tea!
What is Boba Latte?
This drink is a bubble tea spin with coffee, perfect for coffee & boba lovers. Trust me when I say that drinking a boba latte in a proper boba cup is one of the most satisfying things you can do!
You will definitely love this take on the traditional latte if you are a coffee drinker. The drink is infused with shots of espresso. Someone once rightly said, “Espresso is a miracle of chemistry in a cup.”
Boba is usually associated with milk tea in the conventional sense, or sometimes fruit, but rarely does it contain coffee!
It is always fun to experiment, and someone apparently did, hence the birth of the boba latte!
What Does it Taste Like?
Umm… HEAVENLY!
It’s like delicious coffee with milk and hints of sweet molasses thanks to the tapioca pearls! And it’s quite refreshing!
Texture and Color
We all have to agree that it is the super addictive texture of boba balls that has brought you here. Similar to most boba drinks, the texture of this latte is also chewy and soft thanks to the tapioca pearls.
The color features appealing shades of brown, thanks to the coffee and brown sugar boba.
What it’s Made of
Typical ingredients include tapioca pearls, espresso shots, milk, ice, and some brown sugar or sweetener.
Some might opt for some of the other popular boba toppings, such as cheese foam, sea salt crema, pudding, etc…
How to Make Boba Latte at Home?
It is time to test your cooking skills...
If you want to taste this delicious drink, then here is a quick recipe for you. Try this at home and make the perfect drink with your friends and family.
I would recommend purchasing tapioca pearls in advance. In this recipe we have assumed so, otherwise check out our post about how to make golden boba at home!
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Recipe Information
- Preparation Time: 5 mins
- Boba Cooking Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Servings: 1
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Espresso machine or coffee maker
- Strainer
- Tall latte glass
Ingredients
- Two shots espresso or ½ cup of strong brewed coffee
- 8 oz of milk
- 2-3 tbsp of boba pearls (see our recommendation below)
- 1/4 cup water
- Ice
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Directions
- Brew two shots of espresso. If you don’t have an espresso machine you could use a French Press or AeroPress. Otherwise, brew ½ cup of strong coffee with your regular drip coffee maker.
- Add 1 tsp of brown sugar to the hot coffee and stir.
- Let the coffee and sugar mixture cool down.
- Cook the tapioca pearls. Follow the instructions on the packaging as this varies from brand to brand.
- Once you have cooked the boba pearls, you can add honey to prevent them from sticking to each other.
- Add the pearls to the glass.
- Add some ice to your glass.
- Add a sweetener of your choice.
- Add the milk and cooled coffee/espresso.
Voila! You’re done and now you can enjoy your first home made Boba Latte!
Tip #1:
Prepare a simple brown sugar syrup to make your brown sugar boba even more delicious. Use a 1:1 ratio of brown sugar and water (start with ½ a cup).
- Stir the water and brown sugar on low heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Set aside and let cool.
- Add your boba pearls!
You can store your brown sugar boba pearls in the fridge, perhaps in a boba mini fridge?
Tip #2:
Use the best espresso beans and grind them fresh to ensure the best possible flavors. The coffee should be the main star of this drink.
Tip #3:
Add a small pinch of salt. This will bring out the coffee flavor.
Tip #4:
You can also buy bubble tea kits, have them delivered home for an easier way to make different boba tea flavors!
Boba Latte Variations
Why stick to just one classic flavor when you have so much to try? Here are some variations of boba latte that are worth mentioning.
Caramel Boba Latte
Rich, sweet, and deeply satisfying are the words that we give the caramel boba latte!
A few shots of salted caramel can do wonders to your drink. Boba pearls are versatile because they easily absorb flavors, and so you can use them creatively. You can purchase clear tapioca boba pearls without flavor and infuse them in salted caramel syrup.
Other Variations and Toppings
There is no doubt that boba pearls give you the freedom to experiment with your drink. You can bring a twist to your drink by adding chocolate syrup, mint extracts, nutmeg or even cinnamon!
You can also experiment with some of the many bubble tea toppings available. Our favorite is sea salt crema and caramel!
What is the Difference Between Boba Latte vs. Milk Tea?
The main difference is pretty obvious as implied in the name!
Milk tea usually consists of black tea, milk, sugar, ice shavings, and brown sugar tapioca balls. The latte version is almost the same except that the tea is replaced with coffee.
Both drinks have various variations, depending on what toppings and which type of boba pearls you choose to use!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put boba in hot coffee?
Yes, you can add boba to hot coffee. The chewy boba tapioca pearls can be used in fresh iced, hot, or cold brew coffee. To make a hot boba latte, all you have to do is skip the ice and steam the milk.
However, boba pearls can get a little gooey in hot drinks. So, we would recommend an iced latte instead.
Does boba latte have caffeine?
Yes, boba latte has caffeine. However, you can always opt to use decaffeinated coffee, if you are a caffeine hater or must absolutely have a boba latte late at night!
How many calories does a boba latte have?
A typical boba drink uses 25-50 tapioca pearls. Once you factor in all the ingredients, a boba latte probably contains around 230 calories per serving (1).
However you could use crystal boba made from konjac that has significantly less calories!
Bottom Line
I hope that you enjoyed the recipe for the boba latte. Try this simple and easy recipe at home, and let us know how your experience was in the comments!
Also let us know what variations you tried, and if you added any boba toppings to enhance the drink!
I hope you have a fantastic time in the kitchen while trying out this recipe.
Make sure to try the honeydew milk tea (one of my favorites), the jasmine milk tea, the hojicha milk tea, the dalgona boba coffee, or the classic milk tea!
This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace professional medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Do not consume any type of tea if you are allergic to it. The information in this article is not intended to treat serious medical conditions. Please seek professional medical advice before using home remedies