I have an obsession with boba milk teas otherwise known as bubble teas. I remember the first time I heard about them, my brother, Eric, mentioned them to me. He told me about them after a visit with family in either Texas for California (I forget which one). I remember vividly trying to ask him to explain them to me over and over again, I didn't get it. So there's a fat straw and you suck up the tapioca and you chew on it? That's weird. I don't think I'm interested.
Fast forward to when I visited family in California with him and he MADE me try it. It was all over then. He didn't tell me that the chewy tapioca kind of reminds you of chewing a gummy bear. And the drinks, the teas, the slushies and smoothies, you can order…all sorts of great stuff. My avocado smoothie that I love was inspired by one I had a boba tea shop in Orlando!
My best friend, Lindsay, has an obsession with passion fruit…she's posting her version of a bubble tea today too! Passion Fruit Bubble Tea. Now that I want to try!
I use these black dried tapioca pearls you can find at your local Asian grocery store or online. You also need the fat boba straws too!
I did make a video to show you how easy it is to make the boba, it just takes a little bit of patience but it's totally worth it!
That's the boba or tapioca pearls soaking in the sugar water. I like to use all light brown sugar or a half granulated sugar and half light brown sugar.
Funny story about this slotted spoon. We have had it for years and a long time ago, Curtis decided to bend it…it's perfect bent…super ergonomic to use! Ha
While these are not completely authentic Vietnamese Iced Coffees…they are a great stand in and making them into a smoothie…out of this world! I seriously made these smoothies three times and the boba…five million times. To test it, to make sure I got it right just for you. Who am I kidding? I'm addicted!
I have to drive an hour for the closest bubble tea shop and now I make them at home. I still go to the tea shops when I'm out and about but you can't beat being able to make these at home! So tell me, have you tried boba tea or bubble tea before?
Be sure to check out Lindsay's Passion Fruit Bubble Tea while you're at it!
Recipe
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Smoothie with Boba Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 shot of espresso
- 2 Tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 3 cups ice
- 1/2 cup dried black boba, tapioca pearls; if making one drink use 1/4 to 1/3 cup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- First things first, make the espresso and set aside and allow to cool.
- Bring a pot of boiling water (at least 5 cups) and then add boba (tapioca pearls), stir every so often. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow the boba to sit in the pot for about 10 minutes.
- While you're bringing the water to a boil, in a smaller separate pot, add sugar (you can use a mix or all light brown sugar) and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 5 minutes, until reduced. Mix every so often.
- Using a slotted spoon, add the cooked boba to the sugar water and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes.
- Add boba to two glasses.
- Add espresso to a measuring cup and add enough water to make 1 1/2 cups. Add sweetened condensed milk and mix thoroughly. Add to blender with ice and blend until smooth.
- Pour coffee smoothie over boba and serve with boba straws.
Notes
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Joleen says
YESS! Sometimes boba can be so hard to get right, but I’ll definitely remember these directions for the next time I make them!
Ellie Elliott says
WOW I am so excited to try this! I too have to drive quite a distance to get fresh bubble tea! I love the Vietnamese addition too! My favorite flavor at the moment is almond! Thanks for sharing!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
I am SO GLAD you introduced me to this drink. It is such a fun treat. Blake doesn’t quite get the fascination, but the girls are fully on board (they prefer the popping boba rather than the tapioca pearls). Thank you SO MUCH for the recipe and video (awesome!), can’t wait to try this!
Amy @ The Nifty Foodie says
Oh my gosh! I love boba tea!! They closed the place near me a couple of years, and I’ve debated making my own, but it looked intimidating! Thanks for writing this post, Julie!
Amy @ The Nifty Foodie says
Oops! I meant to say a couple of years ago. 😛
Jenny @ BAKE says
This looks amazing! I wish I had a glass right now! i am so glad bubble tea has come over to the UK
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
I love boba tea! I haven’t had Vietnamese iced coffee in a while but I’m craving it now!
Kathleen @ hapanom says
I love bubble tea and I love Vietnamese coffee – I LOVE this recipe! I can’t wait to make my own!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
So I’ve never had bubble tea and I feel like I am seriously missing out!
Amanda says
What a fun recipe!
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
I’ve never made anything with boba before at home! Gotta try this–love the instructional video Julie! 🙂
Jean Sagarese says
check this out you can get glass straws made for bubble tea or as you call it Boba. They make straws for most diameters and you can get them engraved for weddings http://www.glassdharma.com/
Cookbook Queen says
Oh my gosh, I LOOOOOVE bubble tea! Not a coffee drinker, bu I think I could manage this. So good!
Joanne @ Fifteen Spatulas says
Ohhh I can’t wait to make this with the boba you gave me! I’m going to make Pete make me some espresso =)
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Love this! I had boba only once and boy, is it delicious! Pinned!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
Ahhh I love this mash up!!! Vietnamese Iced Coffee is one of my favs!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love this! And that you and Lindsay have similar themes going on today! Pinned 🙂