Easy Strawberry Boba Recipe (Bubble Tea)

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This easy strawberry boba recipe combines chewy tapioca pearls, creamy milk, and sweet strawberry syrup. It’s a perfect drink for summer that’s fun for kids and tastes just like your favorite bubble tea from Asia!

A glass of strawberry boba milk tea with vibrant red syrup swirls, topped with black tapioca pearls and mint leaves.

For more refreshing drinks, try my mango bubble tea made with fresh fruit, my creamy taro milk tea using boba powder, or this grass jelly boba for a caramel-like taste!

Strawberry boba tastes sweet and fruity, with a creamy milk base and chewy tapioca pearls. It’s an eye-catching drink, making it perfect for parties or sharing on your social media!

About this refreshing strawberry drink

This recipe uses evaporated milk for a creamy richness and fresh milk to keep things smooth. I went with strawberry syrup because it’s so easy to find at most supermarkets, making this drink simple to pull together anytime you want.

A refreshing strawberry boba milk tea in a clear glass jar, featuring layers of red syrup and milk, with black tapioca pearls and a garnish of mint.

All the ingredients are blended with ice, which gives the drink a lighter, slushy texture typical of a smoothie, but it still leans toward a creamy, milkshake-like vibe due to the evaporated milk. You could call it a strawberry milk smoothie!

The flavors are fruity, sweet, and totally kid-approved. In fact, the kids might love this one even more than you do!

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the ingredients, followed by step-by-step image instructions.

Ingredient notes

You can find everything you need at Asian markets or Asian grocery stores. Head to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the measurements!

For the strawberry drink

Ingredients for strawberry bubble tea displayed on a banana leaf, including evaporated milk, fresh milk, strawberry syrup, and ice.

Strawberry syrup – You can also use this recipe with other flavored syrups like coconut, mango, or orange. If you’re using strawberry powder, simply stir it into warm water and add it to the blender, then sweeten with sugar to taste.
Evaporated milk
Fresh milk
Ice

For cooking the tapioca pearls

Tapioca pearls, natural cane sugar, and water ingredients for boba preparation, styled on a banana leaf with clay and decorative flowers.

Boba pearls – These pearls made from tapioca starch need to be boiled to achieve their chewy texture.
Water – Used to boil the boba pearls.
Natural cane sugar – Sweetens the cooked pearls. Brown sugar works as a substitute.

How to make strawberry bubble tea

Step 1: Bring water to a boil in a pot over high heat. Slowly pour the tapioca pearls into the boiling water, stirring gently to prevent clumping.

Tapioca pearls being poured from a small bowl into a pot of boiling water on a stovetop.

Step 2: Lower the heat to medium and cook for about 20–30 minutes (or according to the instructions on the package), stirring occasionally, especially near the end to prevent sticking. After cooking, turn off the heat and let the tapioca pearls sit in the pot of hot water with the lid closed for an additional 30 minutes to fully cook through.

A spoonful of shiny, black tapioca pearls lifted from a pot of syrupy liquid.

Step 3: Drain the pearls into a strainer and rinse them under cold running water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.

Cooked boba pearls being rinsed under running water in a metal strainer.

Step 4: Transfer the pearls to a bowl and mix them with natural cane sugar or syrup to add sweetness. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and let the pearls cool to room temperature before continuing.

Cooked boba pearls in a bowl being topped with natural cane sugar on a banana leaf.

Step 5: Mix fresh milk, evaporated milk, and ice in a blender. (For a pink-colored drink, add the strawberry syrup during this step and blend until smooth.)

A thick, creamy milk mixture being blended in a blender.

Step 6: Pour the blended mixture into a glass, then top with strawberry syrup and the cooked tapioca pearls. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Strawberry syrup being poured into a glass of creamy milk tea topped with tapioca pearls, mint leaves, and vibrant red accents.

Delicious flavor variations to try

Matcha Strawberry Boba – Add a teaspoon of matcha powder to the milk for a caffeinated drink.
Vegan strawberry boba milk tea – Use plant-based milk like almond, oat, or soy milk instead of dairy.
Chocolate: Add a tablespoon of chocolate syrup to the mix.
Strawberry fruit: Swap out the syrup for fresh strawberries for a healthier option!

Frequently asked questions

How many calories are in strawberry boba?

A typical serving contains around 250–400 calories, depending on the amount of syrup or powder, milk, and tapioca pearls used.

Does strawberry bubble tea have caffeine?

No, it usually doesn’t contain caffeine unless it’s made with tea. Versions with just milk, syrup (or powder), and boba pearls are caffeine-free.

More favorite drink recipes for summer

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