Strawberry Milk Tea Recipe

Cook strawberries

Combine chopped strawberries, 3 tablespoons sugar and 4 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Bring to a gentle simmer, stir occasionally, and cook 6–8 minutes until strawberries break down and the mixture becomes syrupy.

Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice to brighten flavor.

For a smooth syrup: allow to cool slightly, then carefully blend with an immersion blender or in a countertop blender until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove seeds and pulp, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Yield: about 3/4 cup syrup.

Let syrup cool to room temperature before using; refrigerate any extra in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

Bring 2 cups water to a boil, remove from heat, and add 2 black tea bags (or 2 tablespoons loose black tea) to steep.

Steep 4–5 minutes for a medium-strength brew (steep longer for stronger flavor). If using, stir in 1 tablespoon sugar while the tea is hot so it dissolves completely.

Remove tea bags or strain leaves, then let the brewed tea cool to room temperature or chill in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to speed the process.

If using boba pearls: prepare according to package instructions, then rinse under warm water and set aside in a sugar simple syrup or honey to keep them soft (about 1/2 cup cooked pearls).

Fill two tall serving glasses with about 1/2 cup ice each (total 1 cup ice used).

Divide cooked boba (if using) between the glasses, placing them on the bottom.

Spoon 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) of the prepared strawberry syrup into each glass. Adjust to taste — for a sweeter, stronger strawberry flavor use 3 tablespoons.

Pour 1/2 cup chilled brewed black tea into each glass over the syrup and ice.

Top each glass with 1/2 cup milk (or milk of choice). For a layered look, pour the milk slowly over the back of a spoon.

Stir gently before drinking to combine. Taste and add more strawberry syrup or a splash of sugar/simple syrup if desired.

Garnish with fresh strawberry slices on the rim and serve with a wide straw if using boba.