Taro Milk Tea (Hot or Iced)

This Taro Milk Tea recipe combines sweet, creamy fresh taro with robust black tea for a comforting and refreshing drink that's easy to make at home.

Unlike many bubble tea shop versions that rely on powders and artificial flavorings, this recipe uses real, fresh taro root for authentic flavor and a naturally beautiful lavender hue.

The earthy sweetness of taro pairs wonderfully with brewed tea, creating a balanced drink that's rich, creamy, and not overly sweet. Serve it hot on a chilly day or pour it over ice for a refreshing café-style treat.

If you're a fan of taro bubble tea, this homemade version offers all the flavors you love with the added depth and complexity of tea.

Why you'll love this recipe

Natural: made with real, fresh taro root, and flavored without artificial powders.

Delicious: creamy and lightly sweet, hot or iced.

Customizable: with your favorite tea.

What is taro milk tea?

Taro milk tea is a popular bubble tea drink made with taro, tea, and milk.

While many commercial versions use artificial flavored powders, homemade taro milk tea can be made with fresh, cooked taro root blended with milk and brewed tea for more authentic flavor.

The result is a creamy drink with subtle nutty, vanilla-like notes from the taro and a gentle tannic undertone from the tea.

Taro milk tea vs. taro bubble tea

Although the names are often used interchangeably, they're not always the same thing.

Taro Milk Tea contains:

• brewed tea
• taro
• milk
• sweetener

Taro Bubble Tea may contain:

• taro
• milk
• boba pearls

Some versions contain tea, while others do not. The "bubbles" from traditional Taiwanese bubble tea actually come from the way it's prepared, which is shaking the tea with ice to create the foam on top.

This recipe specifically includes freshly brewed tea, giving it a more traditional milk tea flavor.

Ingredients you'll need

Taro paste: (make it ahead of time)

• cooked mashed taro
• whole milk: or non-dairy alternative
• vanilla extract

Milk tea:

• black tea: Assam, Ceylon, or English Breakfast; or swap in green tea for a lighter flavor
• hot water
• whole milk: or non-dairy alternative

For serving:

• ice: for iced taro milk tea
• cooked tapioca pearls, optional

Best teas for taro milk tea

Strong black teas work particularly well because they balance the sweetness of the taro.

Some excellent choices include Assam, Ceylon, English Breakfast or a Hong Kong-style milk tea blend.

For a lighter flavor, you can use jasmine milk tea.

How to make taro milk tea at home

Prepare the mashed taro paste.

Place the mashed taro into a blender and add ¼ C milk and vanilla extract.

Blend until completely smooth and creamy.

Set aside.

Brew the milk tea:

Steep the tea bags in hot water for 5-7 minutes.

Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool slightly.

Stir in ½ C milk and add sweetener, if desired.

For a stronger tea flavor, steep for a few extra minutes.

Assemble:

For iced taro milk tea:

Fill a serving glass with ice.

Pour in blended taro mixture and top with milk tea.

Stir until before enjoying.

Alternatively, add the taro mixture, milk tea, and ice cubes in a jar with a tight lid and shake until well combined and lightly foamy. 

For hot taro milk tea:

Warm the brewed tea and milk together in a saucepan.

Whisk in the taro mixture until smooth and heated through.

Pour into a mug and serve immediately.

How to store & serve

The taro paste can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Brew the tea fresh and assemble just before serving for the best flavor.

Variations

Replace the black tea with jasmine milk tea for a lighter, floral twist.

Substitute coconut milk for a coconut taro milk tea.

Add a drizzle of brown sugar syrup to the glass before serving.

If desired, add freshly cooked tapioca pearls to the bottom of the glass before assembling.

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