Get in on the Latest Trend: Boba Cocktails

Tea has been making strides into the bar market for the past few years, and one of the most popular tea items may make an interesting non-alc addition to your cocktail menus: boba tea.

Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, is made of tea, milk (some varieties are made without milk), water, sugar and tapioca pearls. The tea is given a good cocktail-style shake, after which tapioca pearls are added. These tapioca pearls (the boba or bubbles) are chewy and often found at the bottom of the drink. Typical versions use black, green or oolong tea, although recently more flavors and types have appeared. Boba tea is commonly served cold.

We've rounded up a collection of boba tea recipes for you to consider adding to your menu. And if you want to make these boozy, liquors that mix well with the teas include bourbon, rum, and even some liqueurs.

 

Bolted Boba

boba tea cocktail recipe baba cocktail
(Photo & recipe courtesy of Monin)

Ingredients:

1/2 oz. Monin Coconut Purée

1/2 oz. Monin Energy Boost

Top with:

5 oz. club soda

1 oz. Popping Boba

Directions:

Combine ingredients in shaker in the order listed, except sparkling beverage. Cap and shake vigorously. Pour into a  Collins glass and add any needed ice. Top with sparkling beverage and popping boba garnish.

 

 

Portlandia

Ingredients:

Portlandia Syrup
½ cup black sesame powder (or black sesame seeds ground up with a food processor)
½ cup cane sugar
½ cup water


Drink
2 cups ice (cubed ice works best)
2/3 cup (160 ml) almond milk
¼ cup (60 ml) purified water

boba recipe boba tea cocktail baba cocktail
(Recipe & photo courtesy of MILK+T)

To make the syrup: In a saucepan, combine the black sesame power and water, stirring until nicely mixed. Add the sugar and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and let cool for 2-3 hours. Add the corn. To make the drink: To a shaker or blender, add your desired amount of black sesame syrup:

  • 4 tablespoons (60 ml) for “normal” sweetness
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) for 75 percent sweetness
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) for 50 percent sweetness

Add the ice, followed by the almond milk. If using a shaker, shake until the syrup is combined with the almond milk. If using a blender, briefly pulse the drink (do not blend!) until all ingredients are nicely combined. Add the toppings (if using) to your serving glass. Pour the drink into the glass.

 

Passion Melon Boba

baba cocktail boba recipe boba cocktail recipe
(Photo & recipe courtesy of Monin.)

Ingredients:

1 oz. Monin Watermelon Syrup

2 pump(s) Monin Passion Fruit Concentrated Flavor

6 oz. oolong tea

1 scoop(s) tapioca bobas

Garnish: watermelon, mint

Directions:

Fill serving glass full of ice. Pour ingredients into a tall pint glass in order listed. Add watermelon and mint garnish and serve.

 

 

 

Boosted Berry Boba Smoothie

baba cocktail boba recipe boba cocktails
(Recipe & photo courtesy of Monin.)

Ingredients:

6 oz. Monin Wildberry Fruit Smoothie Mix

1/2 oz. Monin Total Immunity Boost

1/2 banana

1 oz. coconut water

Tapioca bobas

Garnish: mint sprig

Directions:

Fill tall pint full of ice. Pour ingredients into blender cup in order listed. Add ice from pint glass, cap, and blend until smooth. Pour back into pint glass, add garnish and serve.

 

 

Mango Milk Tea

boba tea recipe boba cocktail
Boba cocktail recipe (Recipe & photo courtesy of Monin.)

Ingredients:

1 oz. Monin Mango Syrup

4 oz. fresh brewed tea

2 oz. cold milk

2 tbsp. tapioca pearls

 

Directions:

Fill tall pint glass full of ice. Pour ingredients into pint glass in order listed. Pour mixture into mixing tin and back into pint glass to mix. Add garnish and serve.

 

 

 

 

 

Plan to Attend or Participate in Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023

To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com. The event will once again be co-located with the World Tea Conference + Expo.

To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:

Veronica Gonnello​(for companies A to G)​ e: [email protected] p: 212-895-8244

​Tim Schultz​(for companies H to Q) ​e: [email protected]​ p: 917-258-8589

Fadi Alsayegh​(for companies R to Z)​ e: [email protected] p: 917-258-5174​

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