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
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
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
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
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
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.
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