If you love matcha and boba, this homemade matcha bubble tea is about to be your new favorite treat! It’s creamy, sweet, earthy, and packed with chewy tapioca pearls that make every sip so fun.
The best part?
You can make it in under 15 minutes with just a few simple ingredients. No need to spend extra money at a boba shop when you can whip up this delicious drink at home!
Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
For the Bubble Tea:
- ¼ cup black tapioca pearls
- 2 teaspoons matcha powder
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 tablespoon honey (or sweetener of choice)
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- ½ cup ice cubes
For Cooking the Tapioca Pearls:
- 2 cups water
Pro Tips for the Best Matcha Bubble Tea
✔ Use high-quality matcha – Ceremonial-grade matcha gives a smoother, less bitter taste. If using culinary-grade, add a bit more sweetener.
✔ Serve immediately – Tapioca pearls harden as they cool, so enjoy your drink right after making it.
✔ Sweeten to taste – Adjust honey or use alternatives like brown sugar or maple syrup.
✔ Shake for extra frothiness – Mix everything in a shaker or jar for a café-style texture.
✔ Don’t overcook the pearls – Follow the package instructions and rinse them with cold water to keep them chewy.
Tools You’ll Need
✔ Small pot
✔ Strainer
✔ Whisk or milk frother
✔ Measuring spoons and cups
✔ Tall glass
✔ Wide straw (for the boba)
Substitutions & Variations
✨ No tapioca pearls? Use aloe vera cubes, jelly, or fruit bits instead.
✨ Different sweeteners? Swap honey for maple syrup, simple syrup, or agave.
✨ No milk? Try oat, almond, or coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
✨ Iced or hot? Skip the ice and use warm milk for a cozy, hot matcha latte.
Make-Ahead Tips
🕒 Cook tapioca pearls ahead of time, but store them in simple syrup or honey water to keep them soft.
How to Make Matcha Bubble Tea
1️⃣ Cook the Tapioca Pearls
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot.
- Add the tapioca pearls and cook according to package instructions (usually about 5 minutes).
- Once they float to the top, drain and rinse with cold water.
- Transfer to a bowl and mix with 1 tablespoon of honey to keep them sweet and chewy.
2️⃣ Prepare the Matcha Mixture
- In a small bowl, whisk 2 teaspoons of matcha powder with 2 tablespoons of hot water until smooth and frothy.
- Add 1 tablespoon of honey and stir until dissolved.
3️⃣ Assemble the Bubble Tea
- Add the cooked tapioca pearls to the bottom of a tall glass.
- Fill the glass halfway with ice cubes.
- Pour in 1 cup of milk.
- Slowly pour the matcha mixture over the milk for a beautiful layered effect.
- Stir or shake to combine before drinking.
Leftovers & Storage
❄ Best enjoyed fresh! Tapioca pearls harden if stored too long.
❄ If you need to store leftovers, keep the tea separate from the boba and assemble when ready to drink.
❄ Cooked boba can be stored in sweet syrup for a few hours but will lose chewiness over time.
Enjoy Your Homemade Bubble Tea!
Now you’ve got a creamy, dreamy matcha bubble tea that’s just as good (if not better!) than your favorite boba shop. Give it a stir, grab a wide straw, and sip away! If you try this recipe, let me know how it turned out in the comments. Got any fun variations? I’d love to hear them! 💚
