This is simple homemade recipe for HK Milk Tea Bubble Tea -- full of strong black tea, rich, creamy condensed milk, and hand-rolled tapioca pearls.
One of my favourite flavours of bubble tea is HK milk tea.
Maybe it's me becoming older, but I've shied away from the fruity teas in favour of more caffeinated versions.
I've covered how to make tapioca/boba pearls in this post, so this is just a post on how to make Hong Kong/ HK Milk Tea since I had a few people ask me for my recipe.
What is Hong Kong milk tea?
It's a drink consisting of black tea and milk or evaporated, sweetened with condensed milk or sugar.
Traditionally, it is made with pantyhose or silk stocking as a filter for the tea leaves. This method has been said to produce a smoother tea.
However, in the interest of simplicity, you don't need to have a silk stocking or pantyhose on hand to make delicious HK milk tea.
Why this recipe works
The tea has a strong, rich flavour.
It's easy to make, with little hands on time (no stocking needed!).
And it's super affordable to make at home!
Ingredients you'll need
- black tea: I like using a strong Ceylon tea
- sweetened condensed milk: or evaporated milk
- granulated sugar: if not using condensed milk
I prefer to use finely ground Ceylon black tea for my milk tea as it gives a strong, concentrated flavour.
Condensed milk is already sweetened and has a richer, creamier feel.
You can use evaporated milk and sugar and adjust to your liking instead if you don't have condensed milk.
Make it the night before
Bring hot water up to a boil.
Add fine tea leaves to a tea pot with mesh strainer.
Pour the water into the tea and let it steep for a few minutes.
Add condensed milk to the tea and give it a stir.
I like to make the tea and mix in the condensed milk the night before so it has a chance to chill in the fridge overnight.
I've found if you add the condensed milk to cooled tea, it won't be as homogeneous and smooth.
How to assemble
It's so easy!
Place in the tapioca pearls at the bottom of the glass, add some ice, and pour in the chilled HK milk tea... then you'll have your very own HK Milk Tea Bubble Tea.
Add your own additions to the tea, such as coconut jellies, grass jelly, or even egg pudding!
Other recipes you may like
Be sure to try these recipes:
CoCo-Inspired Egg Custard Bubble Tea
Hope you'll give the recipe a try and let me know what you think -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Hong Kong Milk Tea Bubble Tea
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon finely ground ceylon black tea
- 3 C hot boiling water
- 3 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ C tapioca/boba pearls
- grass jelly optional
Instructions
- Place the tea into a tea pot with a mesh strainer. Pour the boiled water over top of the tea. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the condensed milk into a clean heat-proof jar. Strain the tea into the jar with the condensed milk and give it a stir.
- Leave to cool and chill in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.
- When ready to serve, add in the tapioca/boba pearls into a glass, add some ice cubes, and pour the HK milk tea over top. Stick in a wide straw and serve.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
heather (delicious not gorgeous)
yum!! i love all kinds of milk tea (although when it's hotter, i find that i want the more refreshing tart/bitterness of fruit tea!), but haven't had an hk style in a while. will have to some time this week when i inevitably crave it!
siftandsimmer@gmail.com
Yea, that's true -- when it's hot outside, fruity drinks definitely hit the spot! Thanks for stopping by, Heather!
Christie
I LOVE HK milk tea with bubbles! One of my favourite drinks in the world! Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe with us! Now I'm totally craving it!
Michelle
HK milk tea is such a classic, great tasting drink! Thanks Christie!
Kimberly
I’m excited to try this recipe, Hong Kong Milk Tea is my favorite Do you have any recommendations of where to purchase finely ground ceylon black tea? I’m seeing mostly the loose leaf form. Thanks!
Michelle
I'm not sure where you're located, but I got my finely ground black tea from a local tea supplier. If you can't find it, you can just use regular black tea bags.
Cathleen
Okay, making this tonight!! Thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
Michelle
You're welcome! 🙂
Michelle Boule
Gorgeous photos! I just moved and have no bubble tea places close to me, can't wait to make this on my own!
Michelle
Yes, hope you enjoy! 🙂
Neli Howard
Lovely! And I think this a healthier option compared to commercialized milk tea as well. 🙂 Gorgeous photos!!!!
Michelle
Indeed, you can control how sweet you like it! 😉
Jessica Formicola
I love bubble tea but I've never made it at home! I can't wait to try it- it looks so delicious!
Michelle
Thank you Jessica! 🙂
Tara
Love Hong Kong milk tea! Yours looks absolutely amazing, especially with the tapioca pearls and grass jelly. So many incredible flavors and textures!
Michelle
Aw thanks Tara! Enjoy! 🙂
Elesa shaws
I lovvvee HK style milk tea!! This is the best recipe i have tryed recently! Thankss
Sasha
Amazing HK tea! One of the best recipes I've tried 🙂
Michelle
Thanks so much for your comment, Sasha!
Helen
I love how easy this is to make - great recipe, thanks!
Toni
This is so fun to make and drink! We had an amazing time! Thanks!
Ana F
I never had this before but I'm so glad I tried your recipe! I made it with condensed milk (no sugar), and it turned out so delicious! Definitely recommend making it the night before as you mentioned. Thanks for the recipe!
Michelle
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, Ana! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Andrea
I've never thought to make my own bubble tea before. Like you, I'm tired of the fruity. This HK Milk tea sounds like my kind of drink. I can't wait to try it.
kushigalu
Bubble tea lover here. This just looks fantastic, Thanks for sharing.