Almond Milk Tea Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this Almond Milk Tea because it uses simple ingredients while still having a distinctive flavor. A small amount of almond extract gives me plenty of almond aroma without making the recipe complicated.

I can easily control the sweetness and creaminess as well. I adjust the amount of milk and sweetener depending on whether I want a stronger tea flavor or a richer, more dessert-like drink.

I also like how customizable this recipe is. I can serve it hot or iced, make it dairy-free, add boba, or use different teas to create slightly different flavors.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Almond Milk Tea

• 2 black tea bags
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup whole milk or plant-based milk
• 1–2 tablespoons sugar, honey, or simple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk, optional
• 1–2 cups ice, for serving cold

Optional Boba

• 1/2 cup quick-cooking black tapioca pearls
• Water, for cooking
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions

I start by bringing my water to a boil and pouring it over the black tea bags. I let the tea steep for about 4–5 minutes so it develops a strong flavor that won’t disappear once I add the milk.

I remove the tea bags and stir my preferred sweetener into the warm tea. I add the almond extract and, if I’m using it, the vanilla extract.

I use almond extract sparingly because it has a concentrated flavor. I start with a small amount and taste the tea before deciding whether I want to add more.

For hot Almond Milk Tea, I gently heat the milk without bringing it to a full boil. I combine the warm milk with my prepared tea and stir until everything is smooth and creamy.

For iced Almond Milk Tea, I allow the tea to cool first. I fill a tall glass with ice, pour in the tea, and add cold milk. I stir thoroughly before serving.

If I’m making boba, I cook the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions. Cooking times vary between brands, so I use the package directions as my guide.

While the boba is still warm, I combine the brown sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat until syrupy. I stir the cooked tapioca pearls into the brown sugar mixture and let them sit for a few minutes.

I spoon the boba into my glass before adding the ice, almond-flavored tea, and milk. I serve the drink immediately while the tapioca pearls are soft and chewy.

Servings and Timing

I get approximately 1 large or 2 smaller drinks from this recipe.

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Tea steeping time: 4–5 minutes
• Boba cooking time: about 5–10 minutes, optional
• Assembly time: 5 minutes
• Total time: about 10 minutes without boba
• Total time with boba: about 15–20 minutes
• Servings: 1 large or 2 small drinks

Variations

For Almond Milk Tea Boba, I add freshly cooked tapioca pearls coated in brown sugar syrup. I like how their caramel-like sweetness complements the almond flavor.

For a dairy-free version, I use almond milk instead of dairy milk. This also gives me another layer of subtle nutty flavor.

For jasmine almond milk tea, I replace the black tea with jasmine green tea. I find that its floral notes pair particularly well with the fragrant almond extract.

For a stronger tea flavor, I use an extra tea bag rather than steeping the tea for much longer. This gives me a concentrated tea base without adding unnecessary bitterness.

For a creamier drink, I add a spoonful of sweetened condensed milk. I reduce the other sweetener accordingly so the finished drink doesn’t become overly sweet.

For a warm spiced variation, I add a small pinch of cinnamon. I especially like this version when I serve the milk tea hot.

Storage/Reheating

I can brew and flavor the tea ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I add the milk and ice when I’m ready to serve it.

If I’ve already combined my tea with milk, I refrigerate it and prefer drinking it within 1–2 days. I stir or shake the mixture thoroughly before serving because some separation can occur.

I don’t store the drink with ice because the melting ice can dilute the tea and almond flavor.

I also avoid storing cooked tapioca pearls for long periods. I find that boba has its best soft and chewy texture shortly after cooking and becomes firm when refrigerated.

When I want to reheat Almond Milk Tea, I warm it gently over low heat while stirring. I don’t bring it to a full boil.

FAQs

What does Almond Milk Tea taste like?

I find Almond Milk Tea creamy and lightly sweet with a fragrant, nutty almond flavor. The tea adds depth and keeps the drink from tasting overly rich, while almond extract gives it its distinctive aroma.

Is Almond Milk Tea made with almond milk?

Not necessarily. I can make Almond Milk Tea with dairy milk and almond flavoring, or I can use almond milk for a dairy-free version. When I use almond milk, I may still add a tiny amount of almond extract if I want a stronger almond flavor.

What tea works best for Almond Milk Tea?

I usually choose black tea because its robust flavor pairs well with milk and almond. I can also use jasmine green tea when I want a lighter, more floral drink.

Can I add boba to Almond Milk Tea?

Yes. I add freshly cooked tapioca pearls coated with brown sugar syrup to the bottom of my glass. I then add ice and pour the Almond Milk Tea over the top.

Can I make Almond Milk Tea ahead of time?

Yes. I prefer brewing and flavoring my tea ahead of time and refrigerating it separately. When I’m ready to drink it, I add cold milk and fresh ice. If I’m making boba, I cook the tapioca pearls shortly before serving so they stay pleasantly chewy.

Conclusion

This Almond Milk Tea gives me a creamy and refreshing drink with bold tea and a delicate almond aroma. I love that I only need a small amount of almond extract to transform ordinary milk tea into something distinctive.

I can serve it warm, enjoy it over ice, use almond milk for a dairy-free version, or add brown sugar boba for a bubble tea-inspired treat. Since I can easily adjust the sweetness, tea strength, and creaminess, this is a simple homemade milk tea recipe I can customize exactly the way I like it.

Almond Milk Tea Recipe

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A smooth and creamy milk tea with bold black tea and a delicate almond aroma. Serve it hot or iced, or add brown sugar tapioca pearls for homemade Almond Milk Tea Boba.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 4–5 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 large or 2 small drinks
• Category: Drinks
• Method: Steeping
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 2 black tea bags
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup whole milk or plant-based milk
• 1–2 tablespoons sugar, honey, or simple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk, optional
• 1–2 cups ice, for serving cold
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking black tapioca pearls, optional
• Water, for cooking tapioca pearls
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, for optional boba
• 1 tablespoon water, for optional brown sugar syrup

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Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup hot water over 2 black tea bags and steep for 4–5 minutes. Remove the tea bags.
2. While the tea is warm, stir in 1–2 tablespoons sugar, honey, or simple syrup. Add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and the optional 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
3. If using 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk, stir it into the warm tea until completely dissolved and reduce the other sweetener to taste.
4. For hot Almond Milk Tea, gently warm 1 cup milk without boiling. Pour it into the prepared almond-flavored tea and stir well.
5. For iced Almond Milk Tea, let the prepared tea cool. Fill a large glass or two smaller glasses with 1–2 cups ice, pour in the tea, and add 1 cup cold milk. Stir thoroughly.
6. For optional boba, cook 1/2 cup quick-cooking tapioca pearls in water according to the package directions, then drain.
7. Combine 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon water in a small saucepan. Heat gently until syrupy, then add the cooked tapioca pearls and stir to coat. Let them sit for a few minutes.
8. Spoon the warm brown sugar boba into the bottom of the glass before adding ice, almond-flavored tea, and milk. Serve immediately with a wide boba straw.

Notes

• Almond extract is concentrated, so measure carefully and add more only after tasting.
• For a dairy-free version, use almond, oat, soy, or another plant-based milk and omit or replace the sweetened condensed milk.
• For jasmine almond milk tea, replace the 2 black tea bags with 2 jasmine green tea bags.
• For stronger tea flavor, add an extra tea bag instead of significantly increasing the steeping time.
• Add a small pinch of cinnamon for a warm spiced variation.
• Brewed and flavored tea can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Prepared milk tea can be refrigerated for 1–2 days. Stir or shake well before serving.
• Prepare tapioca pearls shortly before serving because they become firm when refrigerated.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 large drink without optional boba
• Calories: 225 kcal
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg