Red Bean & Black Sesame Milk Tea brings roasted sesame flavor, creamy milk, and soft sweet beans together in a chilled drink.
The tea base adds a gentle black tea note underneath the nutty flavor.
Blending and straining the sesame keeps the texture smooth.
Spoon the red beans over the ice just before serving for a sweet finish.
Why I Love This Recipe
Black sesame gives this milk tea a deep roasted taste without flavored powder. Sweetened azuki beans add a soft bite and a little extra sweetness. Brewing the tea separately makes its strength easier to control, while straining the sesame milk catches coarse seed pieces. It is a lovely choice when you want a creamy drink with more texture than plain milk tea.
- Roasted flavor: Toasted sesame makes the base rich and nutty.
- Smooth base: A blender and fine strainer reduce coarse bits.
- Sweet bean topping: Ready-cooked azuki beans keep the prep simple.
- Easy to adapt: Use unsweetened soy milk for a dairy-free variation.
What You’ll Need
- Servings: 2
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Cooling Time: About 15 minutes
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
- Serving Glass: Two 12-ounce glasses
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 black tea bag, about 2 grams
- 2 tablespoons toasted black sesame seeds
- 1 cup chilled whole milk
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup ready-to-eat sweetened azuki beans, cooled
- 1 cup clear ice cubes, divided
Tools You Need
- Kettle
- Heatproof glass jug
- Blender with a small blending cup
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Clean glass jug
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon
- Serving glasses
How to Make Red Bean & Black Sesame Milk Tea
Prepare the base first, then assemble each glass just before serving.
Step 1: Brew and Sweeten the Tea
Heat 1/2 cup water to 200°F (93°C).
Pour it over 1 black tea bag, about 2 grams, in a heatproof glass jug.
Steep for 4 minutes, then remove the bag without squeezing it.
Stir in 2 teaspoons granulated sugar until fully dissolved.
Let the tea cool for about 15 minutes, until room temperature. A cold-water bath around the jug can help; allow extra cooling time if needed.
Step 2: Blend the Sesame Milk
Add 2 tablespoons toasted black sesame seeds and 1 cup chilled whole milk to a blender cup.
Secure the lid and blend for 45–60 seconds, until as smooth as your blender allows.
Pause and scrape down the cup if needed, then secure the lid before blending again.
Step 3: Strain the Sesame Milk
Pour the blended sesame milk through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean glass jug.
Stir the liquid in the strainer gently with a spoon to help it pass through.
Discard the coarse solids left behind. Fine sesame specks in the milk are normal.
Step 4: Mix the Milk Tea
Pour all the cooled, sweetened black tea into the strained sesame milk.
Stir until evenly blended.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Divide 1 cup clear ice cubes between two 12-ounce glasses, using 1/2 cup per glass.
Divide the sesame milk tea evenly between the glasses.
Spoon 1/4 cup cooled sweetened azuki beans over the ice, using 2 tablespoons per glass.
Some beans will settle into the drink. Serve right away with a spoon and stir gently as you sip.
Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
Water extracts the black tea flavor before milk is added. Toasted sesame seeds release their oils when blended, giving the milk a fuller body and a roasted taste. Straining removes the largest particles, though fine flecks remain. The beans are added last so they keep their soft texture instead of being blended into the base. Ice helps support the topping briefly, but the beans can sink as it melts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using raw beans: Choose fully cooked, ready-to-eat sweetened azuki beans, not dry beans.
- Skipping the strainer: Coarse sesame particles can make the drink feel gritty.
- Oversteeping black tea: A longer steep can overwhelm the roasted sesame taste.
- Adding warm tea to ice: Cool the tea first so the drink does not become watery.
- Expecting the beans to float: Some will settle, so serve with a spoon.
What to Serve With Red Bean & Black Sesame Milk Tea
- Plain mochi
- Butter cookies
- Steamed buns
Pro Tips and Variations
Use sesame seeds sold as toasted. If starting with raw seeds, toast them separately in a dry skillet over low heat until fragrant, stirring often, then cool before measuring. This adds preparation time. For a dairy-free version, replace the milk with 1 cup unsweetened soy milk; the flavor and nutrition will change.
Make-Ahead Tips and Storage
For the best texture, make the sesame milk tea on the day you serve it. Keep the tea base, sesame milk, and beans covered and chilled separately if preparing ahead. Use within a day for best flavor, stir before assembling, and add the ice only when ready to drink.
Macros Information
Estimated per serving, including ice and toppings. Brands, straining losses, and pearl yields will change these numbers.
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does this drink contain caffeine?
A: Yes. The black tea supplies caffeine, and the amount depends on the tea and steep.
Q: Can I leave out the black tea?
A: Yes. Replace the brewed tea with the same amount of cooled water for a milder sesame milk drink.
Q: What kind of red beans should I buy?
A: Use sweetened, fully cooked azuki beans with some whole beans left. Smooth red bean paste changes the texture.
Q: Can I use black sesame paste?
A: This recipe is designed for toasted seeds. A paste can change both richness and sweetness, so it is not an exact swap.
Q: Why is the drink gray?
A: Finely blended black sesame naturally turns milk gray. The shade depends on how finely the seeds blend.
Q: Will all the beans stay on top?
A: No. Spoon them over the ice for serving, but some beans will sink as you drink.
Q: Can I use plant milk?
A: Yes. Unsweetened soy milk or oat milk can replace the whole milk in the same amount.
Q: Is the tea supposed to be completely smooth?
A: Straining removes coarse pieces, but very fine sesame flecks are normal. Stir if they settle.
Q: Can I reduce the sweetness?
A: You can leave out the granulated sugar. The sweetened beans will still add sweetness.
Final Thoughts
Red Bean & Black Sesame Milk Tea makes a lovely homemade treat when the base is cool and the topping is freshly prepared. Assemble each glass just before serving and enjoy the flavors and textures together. Leave a comment with your favorite milk or serving idea. Happy sipping!
