How to Make Thai Tea Boba? Best Thai Milk Tea Recipe
What is Thai Tea Boba?
Thai tea boba, also known as Thai milk tea with boba pearls or Thai iced tea with boba, is one of the most iconic drinks in the world of bubble tea.
With its vibrant orange color, rich aroma, and sweet creaminess, it has become a street-side staple in Thailand and a fan favorite in bubble tea shops across the globe—including those inspired by Taiwan’s legendary bubble tea culture.
At its core, Thai tea is a strong black tea powder blend with sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and sometimes hints of star anise or cardamom.
Add in chewy boba pearls and serve it ice-cold with a wide straw, and you’ve got a drink that’s equal parts refreshing and indulgent—even for those who say milk doesn’t usually pair well with tea, this one proves them wrong.
Whether you’ve had your first sip on a hot Bangkok afternoon or at your local Sharetea store, you know that nothing hits quite like that sweet, creamy, chewy combo of Thai tea boba.
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Thai Milk Tea
To replicate the bold and creamy taste of Thai milk tea at home, you’ll need just a few essential ingredients.
No industrial machines, no mystery formulas—everything you need can be found at home or your local grocery store.
Use a quality tea powder blend for the base, and don’t be afraid to use whole milk for a creamier result if you’re going for richness over lightness.
Thai Tea Mix – We recommend using ChaTraMue, the traditional Thai blend often used by street vendors.
Sweetened Condensed Milk – Adds rich sweetness and creaminess.
Evaporated Milk – Gives it that smooth texture without making it too heavy.
Tapioca Pearls (Boba Pearls) – Cooked to chewy perfection.
White Sugar – Optional, depending on your sweetness preference.
Ice Cubes – Essential to enjoy this as a chilled, refreshing beverage.
Optional: Orange Food Coloring – For that vibrant café-style look.
Optional: Coconut Milk or Almond Milk – For a vegan twist.
Looking for an easier way?
Sharetea’s Thai Pearl Milk Tea is crafted with high-quality ingredients and brewed in-house daily.
It’s a great option when you want authentic taste without the effort—find the nearest Sharetea location here and enjoy your favorite tea made perfectly every time.
The Cultural Craze Behind Thai Bubble Tea
Like its Taiwanese cousin, Thai iced tea boba has risen from a regional street drink to a worldwide cultural phenomenon.
Known for its bright orange color and creamy texture, Thai boba tea has carved out its own loyal fanbase.
It's especially popular at summer markets, food truck festivals, and dessert cafes, where its striking visual appeal and rich tea flavor make it a natural standout.
While the flavor profile is different from traditional black milk tea or matcha drinks, Thai tea boba has earned its place as a menu staple at bubble tea chains around the world—including right here at Sharetea.
From our Thai Tea Ice Blended with Pearl to our Thai Pearl Milk Tea, this bold, comforting drink is a Sharetea signature that brings Southeast Asian charm to every sip.
How to Make Classic Thai Boba Tea at Home: Step-by-Step Guide
Craving the bright, creamy, chewy magic of Thai milk tea?
You don’t need to hop on a plane to Bangkok or wait in line at a café.
Learn how to make Thai boba tea at home with these easy steps that recreate the flavor of your favorite tea shop—minus the long wait time.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
2 tbsp Thai Tea Mix (ChaTraMue preferred) — or substitute with loose leaf tea for a custom version
1.5 cups water
2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp evaporated milk
1–2 tbsp white sugar (optional, based on sweetness level)
1/2 cup cooked boba (tapioca pearls)
1 cup ice cubes
Optional: drop of orange food coloring
Optional: coconut milk or almond milk for a dairy-free version
Step 1: Brew a Strong Thai Tea Base
Make the tea strong and fragrant.
A weak tea base ruins the whole drink.
For authentic flavor, you need strength.
Bring 1.5 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan.
Add 2 tbsp of Thai Tea Mix, stir, and simmer for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and let the tea steep for 10 minutes.
💡 Pro Tip: Want to make your own Thai tea blend?
Use strong black tea leaves with a pinch of star anise, cloves, and crushed cardamom for an aromatic twist.
Step 2: Strain and Sweeten the Tea
No one wants gritty leaves in their cup. Straining is a must.
Strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove leaves.
While still warm, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of white sugar or your choice of sugar or sweetener.
Adjust sweetness to your liking—but remember the condensed milk will sweeten it further.
Step 3: Add Sweetened Condensed and Evaporated Milk
Now comes the creamy part.
Mix in 2 tbsp of sweetened condensed milk and stir until completely dissolved.
Add 2 tbsp of evaporated milk for a silky finish—or go bolder with full-fat milk for extra indulgence.
Want that extra creaminess? Just drizzle a little more on top later when serving.
🥥 Vegan? Use coconut condensed milk and almond milk for a tropical twist that’s 100% dairy-free.
Step 4: Cook the Tapioca Pearls (Boba)
For the perfect chewy texture, don’t rush this part—actual boba pearls need proper timing.
Boil a pot of water (4–5 cups), then add ½ cup of tapioca pearls.
Cook for 5–7 minutes or according to the package instructions.
Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and prevent them from sticking together.
Then, toss in a little syrup or brown sugar to keep your chewy tapioca balls soft and flavorful.
Step 5: Assemble & Serve Over Ice
Now put it all together.
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Spoon in your cooked tapioca pearls (boba)(about ¼ to ½ cup).
Pour the milk tea mixture over the top.
Optionally, add a drop of food coloring to get that classic bright orange café look.
Serve with large boba straw and enjoy!
💡 Shake it in a mason jar with ice if you want a frothy version—great for smoothies too!
You can also toss in a little simple syrup or brown sugar to keep them from sticking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Thai Tea Boba
While Thai milk tea seems simple, a few missteps can turn your dreamy boba drink into a disappointing cup.
At Sharetea, we’ve served millions of cups of boba since 1992.
Here’s what we’ve learned over the decades—the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
| ❗ Issue | ⚠ Description | ✔ Fix |
|---|---|---|
| ❌ Weak Tea Base | Thai tea should be strong and sweet. Skipping the steeping time or using too little tea mix results in a bland, watery drink. | ✔️ Fix: Always steep for at least 10 minutes and use a quality Thai Tea Mix like ChaTraMue for authentic flavor. |
| ❌ Overly Sweet or Cloying | Too much sugar or condensed milk can overwhelm the tea’s natural flavors. | ✔️ Fix: Taste-test after adding the condensed milk. Start light on sugar—you can always add more later. |
| ❌ Curled or Separated Milk | Adding milk to piping hot tea can cause it to curdle. | ✔️ Fix: Let the tea cool slightly before adding condensed or evaporated milk for a smooth blend. |
| ❌ Overcooked or Undercooked Boba | The texture of boba pearls can make or break the drink. Undercooked pearls are hard; overcooked ones fall apart. | ✔️ Fix: Stick to the recommended cooking time and always rinse under cold water. A quick soak in brown sugar syrup helps keep your instant tapioca chewy and flavorful. |
| ❌ Skipping the Ice | Thai milk tea is meant to be enjoyed cold. Serving it warm dilutes the experience. | ✔️ Fix: Use plenty of ice cubes. The melting ice slightly waters down the sweetness, giving the drink perfect balance. |
Healthier Variations of Thai Milk Tea
Worried about sugar or dairy?
You can still enjoy creamy Thai boba tea without sacrificing flavor. Here’s how:
| Strategy | Description | Examples / Options |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Use Plant-Based Milks | Swap out traditional dairy with lower-calorie alternatives that still deliver creamy texture. | Almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk (a dairy milk alternative) |
| ✅ Reduce Sugar Content | Lower the overall sugar load by choosing less processed, natural sweeteners or a smaller portion of tapioca balls. | Coconut condensed milk (naturally sweet), stevia, monk fruit sweetener, agave syrup, other sugar substitutes |
| ✅ Adjust the Boba Portion | Cut back on tapioca pearls or switch to lighter, refreshing toppings for reduced calories and varied textures. | Mini pearls, crystal boba, aloe vera, aiyu jelly (all available at Sharetea with full customization options) |
Many of these toppings are available at Sharetea, where customization is always an option.
💡 Want something even lighter?
Sharetea’s Thai Tea Ice Blended with Pearl delivers the same bold flavor with a refreshing slushy texture—great for hot days and lower in sugar than the traditional version.
Why Make Thai Boba Tea at Home?
While it’s easy to grab your favorite drink from a tea shop, making Thai milk tea at home gives you full control over every detail—from sweetness and milk type to toppings and strength.
Try using whole milk for richness or oatmilk for a lighter twist. Plus, it’s a fun kitchen project that:
Saves you money over timeAllows for customization, and offers a healthier alternative to pre-made options. And it turns you into your own boba master
However, if you're ever in a rush—or just craving that Sharetea-level quality—we’ve got you covered.
🧋 With Sharetea's Thai Pearl Milk Tea, we use freshly brewed black tea, premium milk, and chewy tapioca pearls made in-house.
No boiling, no straining—just order and sip.
Use our store locator to find the Sharetea closest to you and enjoy the best Thai boba tea in town, made by the pros.
Pro Tips from Sharetea for the Best Bubble Tea Experience
At Sharetea, we’ve served millions of cups of boba since 1992. Here’s what we’ve learned over the decades:
🍵 Tea First, Always
Start with a high-quality tea base—the rest of the drink builds on it.
Don’t compromise.
Whether you're using ChaTraMue, strong Assam black tea, or Sharetea’s in-house blend, the boldness of the tea makes all the difference.
🍬 Fresh Boba is Best
The secret to that perfect chew?
Serve boba within 2 hours of cooking.
Want to skip the cooking?
Just visit your nearest Sharetea—our pearls are cooked daily to achieve that signature chewy tapioca texture fans love.
🧪 Experiment with Flavor Add-Ons
Want more fun?
Add a hint of vanilla, star anise, or cardamom for complexity.
Or top off with a spoon of cream foam to create a luxurious finish.
Final Thoughts: Homemade Boba Mastery or Sharetea Simplicity?
Now you know how to make the Thai tea boba and how to mix well for the perfect texture.
Whether you're crafting your own Thai milk tea masterpiece at home or picking up your favorite blend from a trusted tea shop, Thai tea boba is more than just a drink—it’s a moment of comfort, creativity, and connection.
Grab your boba straw, customize your tea and boba, and enjoy every sweet, creamy sip.
Or better yet—skip the prep and treat yourself to a perfectly made drink at Sharetea.
From our bold and creamy Thai Pearl Milk Tea to the icy refreshment of Thai Tea Ice Blended with Pearl, we’ve got your craving covered.
You can also explore our full lineup of handcrafted drinks—including Frut Teas, Fresh Milk Creations, and chewy add-ons like pudding, aloe vera, or crystal boba—all brewed fresh and made to order.
Looking for the Best Boba Tea Near Me?
Find your nearest Sharetea location and experience Thai tea the way it was meant to be—rich, refreshing, and unforgettable.
👉 Find your nearest Sharetea here: https://www.1992sharetea.com/usa
👉 Explore our menu of Thai Tea, Ice Blendeds, Fruit Teas, and Fresh Milk creations: https://www.1992sharetea.com/drinks-menu
