Ube recipe · Drinks
Ube Milk Tea Recipe (Easy Ube Boba Tea)
Creamy ube milk tea with chewy boba pearls — the purple bubble tea, made at home with real ube.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook / chill
- 10 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Serves
- 1 large drink
This ube milk tea recipe recreates the purple bubble tea from boba shops: strong tea, creamy ube milk and chewy tapioca pearls. It is made with real ube powder, so the color and flavor are the real thing.
Ube milk tea vs taro milk tea
They look similar but are different roots. Taro milk tea is starchy and nutty, and often colored purple with dye. Ube milk tea is sweeter and creamier, with vanilla notes and a natural violet color. Learn more in our guide: what is ube.
Which tea to use
A strong black tea (like Assam) gives a classic milk tea taste; jasmine green tea makes it lighter and floral. Use Kapsoo ube powder for the ube layer.
Instructions
Step 1
Cook the tapioca pearls according to the package. Drain and toss with the brown sugar.
Step 2
Steep the tea bag in ½ cup hot water for 5 minutes, then remove the bag and let the tea cool.
Step 3
Whisk the ube powder with 2 tbsp hot water and the condensed milk into a smooth paste.
Step 4
Add the pearls to a tall glass, then ice. Pour in the ube paste, the milk and the cooled tea.
Step 5
Stir well, add a wide boba straw and serve.
Tips & variations
- Caffeine-free ube milk: skip the tea and use 1 cup of milk.
- Make a batch of tea ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Swap condensed milk for our homemade ube syrup for a stronger ube taste.
Ube Milk Tea: FAQ
What is ube milk tea?
A bubble tea made with tea, milk and ube (purple yam), usually served with tapioca pearls. It is naturally purple and creamy.
Is ube milk tea the same as taro milk tea?
No. Taro is a different root with a starchier, nuttier taste. Ube is sweeter, with vanilla and coconut notes.
Does ube milk tea have caffeine?
Yes if you use black or green tea. For a caffeine-free version, skip the tea and use only milk.
Can I make ube milk tea without boba?
Yes. It is just as good without pearls, or with coconut jelly instead.
