Chocolate Bubble Milk Tea (Boba)

Name: Chocolate Bubble Milk Tea (Boba)
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ½ uncooked boba pearls (quick-cooking tapioca pearls); 1 bag of black tea (optional, see notes); ½ cup boiling water (optional, to steep the tea if using); 3 tbsp raw cacao powder (cocoa powder works too); 3-4 tbsp maple syrup (or to taste, other sweeteners work too); 2 cups oat milk; ice cubes (for serving)

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Treat yourself to this rich and delicious chocolate milk tea. It is a refreshing drink that combines oat milk, raw cacao powder, boba pearls and sweetener of your choice. You can also include black tea (or not) for a little extra kick of caffeine. The ingredients needed are easy-to-find and making a homemade chocolate boba is actually so simple and quick! This version is naturally vegan and dairy-free.

View on a tall glass of chocolate milk tea filled with ice cubes with dark tapioca pearls at the bottom.

Do you love boba tea, but think it is too hard or complicated to make it yourself at home? Well, follow this guide to learn all about homemade milk tea and make them yourself in a simple and easy way.

And what's better than making a chocolate milk tea to get started?

We get chocolate bubble tea at our local bubble tea shop, but my kids always want more of it, so I decided to start making it myself and it doesn’t disappoint at all. It is actually so much easier to make than it seems and just as good as the one made by the barista.

This version combines creamy oat milk with the rich flavors of black tea, antioxidant-rich raw cacao powder and tons of chewy boba pearls, which makes this drink so amazing and satisfying.

Although you can decide to prepare it without black tea to lower its caffeine content and make it more kid-friendly, we absolutely fell in love with the combo of chocolate + black tea and I urge you to give it a try if you can.

Also, I used oat milk to make it for its intense creaminess and rich flavor, which also makes it naturally vegan and dairy-free, but you can use any kind of milk you prefer.

This chocolate bubble tea should be ready within 15 minutes and is made with simple and budget-friendly ingredients that you will be able to find quite easily. Makes for such a tasty homemade refreshing drink that's healthy yet feels like a treat. Such a perfect chilled drink to enjoy on a hot day!

And the best part is that you can easily whip up this amazing drink right at home, without a fuss and in no time at all. Making it yourself saves so much money and also, you will be able to tweak the ingredients as you wish. This chocolate boba is so versatile and very forgiving!

So whether you have little chocolate fans in your house or you want to indulge yourself with a healthy drink that still feels like a special treat, I hope you give this recipe a try! ❤️

Overhead view on a glass of chocolate milk tea with a straw and showing the raw cacao powder topping.

What is bubble tea?

Bubble tea, also known as boba tea or milk tea, is a popular drink that originated in Taiwan in the 1980's, but that has gained such a worldwide popularity since then. Today, you can find a wide variety of bubble tea options in cafes and tea shops across many cities.

It typically combines tea, milk, sweetener and chewy tapioca pearls (made out of cassava root), which gives it such a unique and pleasant texture. Nowadays though, bubble tea is made with all sorts of ingredients, including fruits, chocolate, spices, etc and it is enjoyed by people of all ages.

Why you will love this recipe

Bubble teas are so fun and easy to make!
Cheaper than buying bubble tea at the store
Quick to prepare, all you need is 15 minutes!
Fun drink to make for kids, but also loved by adults
Made using simple ingredients
Rich in chocolatey and caramel-like flavors, perfect for the chocolate-lover!
Boba pearls are actually easy to find!
Very versatile: can be sweetened to your taste and omit the black tea if needed
Healthier and lower in sugar than store-bought
Fits many diets: vegan, dairy-free, naturally gluten-free and perfect for those following a plant-based diet

Ingredients you'll need

Boba pearls: also called quick-cooking tapioca pearls or bubble tea pearls. You will need ½ cup for this recipe, which will give you 2 milk teas. I found black bubble tea tapioca pearls in my local Asian grocery store, but you can also find them online: Black tapioca pearls from the brand E-Fa Brand.
Plant-based milk: I love oat milk in drinks (I use the oat milk from the Brand Oatly) for its ultra creamy and rich texture, but you can use any kind of milk you like, such as soy or almond milk. Feel-free to use a vanilla-flavored milk too, although you will likely have to add less sweetener to your drink in that case.
Raw cacao powder: super high in healthy antioxidants and provides such a rich chocolatey flavor, but if you only have cocoa powder, then use this instead!
Black tea bag: totally optional, but adds such an amazing background of malty and earthy flavors that are not overpowering, but complements the chocolate. It also provides extra caffeine, which is something you might be looking for as a pick-me-up in the afternoon.
Sweetener: I used maple syrup as I find liquid sweeteners to work better in drinks. You can swap for agave nectar or brown rice syrup. Granulated sugar is also an option, but make sure to stir it well into the milk so it dissolves completely.

Showing are the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How to make chocolate boba at home

Follow this simple step-by-step guide to make the BEST chocolate milk tea right in your kitchen within 15 minutes!

Brew the black tea (optional)

If you are making this drink for kids, want to avoid caffeine or simply don't want the extra flavor of black tea, then skip this step!

Place the bag of black tea in a small mug and then pour ½ cup of hot water over. Let it sit for about 5 minutes while moving the bag around in the water once in a while top help extract the tea. Then, remove the bag and set aside to allow it to cool down until ready to use.

Cook the boba pearls

Bring a small pot of water to a boil (about 3 cups) and then, add the boba pearls. Let them simmer uncovered for about 5-7 minutes. Then, let them rest in the hot water for an extra 2 minutes before draining the pearls.

I highly recommend to taste the tapioca pearls to check for doneness. For a chewier tapioca, cook them less and for a softer texture, then cook them longer.

Transfer the pearls to a small bowl, add a little maple syrup to the pearls (about 1 teaspoon, optional but recommended) and stir. Let them cool down while making the chocolate milk.

Make the chocolate milk

In a blender, combine the oat milk, brewed tea (if using), cacao powder and sweetener. Blend on high until smooth, which should take only a few seconds.

Then, taste and adjust sweetness to your preference. I like to start with 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, but the amount of sweetener will differ depending on your taste, type of cacao/cocoa powder you used and your milk too.

Combine and serve

Divide the boba pearls in between 2 large serving glasses. Fill with ice cubes almost to the top and then, pour the chocolate milk over.

You can decorate your milk tea with more cacao powder if you want. Enjoy!

In process picture: cook the boba pearls.

Helpful tips

As mentioned above, feel-free to omit the black tea completely, which is what I do when I share it with my kids. But also, if including the tea, then you can make it as strong as you want! You could double up on the bags or let it steep for longer to strengthen the taste.
You don't absolutely need a blender to make the chocolate milk: you could simply stir all the ingredients together in a jar. BUT, using a blender will make the consistency so smooth + light and I love how blenders create a light froth when blending liquids for drinks. This is what I do when making a quick vanilla matcha latte, I blend everything instead of whisking and the froth is unbelievable!
You will need a bubble tea straw to enjoy this drink so the pearls can go through. Regular straws don't work! You can easily find bubble tea straws online.
Boba teas are best when really cold, so make sure to serve with plenty of ice cubes!
I encourage you to add a little sweetener to the boba right away once done cooking to boost their sweet taste, but also to help prevent them from sticking to each other.

View on a tall glass of chocolate boba with a straw and milk in the background.

Serving suggestions

I like serving with plenty of ice cubes and sprinkle some extra raw cacao powder over.

Also, as seen in my oat milk hot chocolate, you could garnish with some vegan whipped cream for such a nice treat. You can make your own whipped cream using coconut milk or simply use a store-bought brand, such as this oat whipped cream from the brand 365. Add a few mini chocolate chips over or shaved dark chocolate for a nice touch. A drizzle of vegan chocolate sauce would also be perfect!

If you are making it for a few people, especially during a gathering, then it would be nice to make a boba bar with a wide array of different toppings, such as syrups, cream and extra sweetener for everyone to adjust their drinks to their taste.

If enjoying as an afternoon snack, then pair with cookies or any baked goods for such nice a treat! Here are a few ideas that would go great with the chocolate flavor:

Variations to the recipe

There are a few ways you can change up the recipe, boba teas are so versatile!

You can swap raw cacao powder for prepared hot chocolate powder. It is less healthy, but would definitely work out well too. In that case, omit the maple syrup all together and also, adjust the amount of powder you need to add (you will have to taste along the way).
Spice it up by including a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, pumpkin spice mix or chai spice mix.
Chocolate goes well with vanilla, so don't hesitate to add about 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the blender.
For an ultra creamy drink, then use coconut milk instead (not the can, use the coconut milk in the fridge section).
To add a boost of plant-based protein, then add some protein powder to the blender as well. A chocolate or vanilla pea powder would be a good match for this recipe. Don't add too much though so the flavor isn’t too chalky!

Overhead view on a glass of chocolate milk tea (boba) garnished with raw cacao powder and with a hand holding it.

Storage tips

This drink is best when enjoyed right away. The tapioca pearls will change in texture while resting in the liquid and the drink might separate over time.

That being said, you can definitely make the chocolate black tea milk ahead of time. Simply keep in a large jar and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When ready to enjoy your tea milk, then cook the boba, shake the chocolate milk vigorously and combine in a large glass with ice cubes.

FAQ's

What does chocolate bubble tea taste like?

Black tapioca pearls have an outstanding flavor of sweet caramel, which pairs beautifully with the dark chocolate flavor in this case.

What if I don't have a bubble tea straw?

In that case, then use a regular straw to drink the chocolate milk and scoop out the pearls once in a while using a spoon!

Can I drink it hot?

Yes you can! Boba is traditionally enjoyed cold, but in the colder months of winter, then try drinking it warm for a change. Simply omit the ice cubes and warm up the chocolate milk before pouring over the cooked tapioca pearls.

Are boba pearls considered healthy?

Boba doesn't really bring any interesting nutritional value, but they add such a fun and unique twist to your drink! I like to think of them as a bonus flavor and texture that complement the overall yumminess of the drink, which is healthy and packed with antioxidants.

Close up on a glass of chocolate black tea boba.

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I hope you enjoy this chocolate boba tea as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

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