Dragon Fruit Iced Milk Tea Recipe

Cook fruit

Place the peeled and chopped dragon fruit, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Let simmer 5–7 minutes until the fruit breaks down and the liquid becomes vividly colored and slightly thickened.

Use a fork or potato masher to mash any remaining large pieces, then remove from heat. For a smooth syrup, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Reserve the strained pulp separately if you want texture in the drink.

Cool the syrup to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. Yield: about 3/4 cup syrup.

Bring 2 cups hot water (just off boil, ~95–100°C) and steep 2 black tea bags for 3–5 minutes depending on desired strength. Remove tea bags and gently squeeze out excess. Chill the brewed tea in the refrigerator until cold, about 15–20 minutes, or use an ice bath to speed cooling.

If you want the tea sweeter, stir in 1 tablespoon honey or simple syrup while tea is still warm so it dissolves completely. Chill thoroughly before assembling the iced drink.

If using tapioca pearls, prepare according to package instructions (usually boil pearls 5–8 minutes until translucent, then rinse and sweeten lightly). Place cooked pearls into the bottom of serving glasses (optional).

Fill each serving glass about 2/3 full with ice (approximately 1/2 cup ice per glass if making two servings).

Divide syrup between glasses. For 2 servings use roughly 2–3 tablespoons syrup per glass for vivid color and flavor; adjust to taste. If you reserved pulp, add a spoonful to each glass for texture.

Pour chilled black tea over the syrup and ice, filling each glass about halfway (about 3/4 cup tea per glass if making two servings).

Pour milk (about 1/2 cup per glass) slowly over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass to create a layered look, or mix thoroughly for a uniform color. Add 1/2 teaspoon lemon or lime juice per two servings now if using to brighten the fruit notes.

Stir gently to combine before drinking, unless you prefer the layered presentation.

Garnish each glass with a small dragon fruit wedge on the rim and a few mint leaves on top. Serve with a wide straw if using tapioca pearls.

Serve immediately while cold.