Rose Boba (Bubble) Tea

Refreshing and sweet, this Rose Boba Tea is loaded with floral notes and chewy honey boba.

It makes a great summer drink and will be better than the one at your local Boba place in price and flavor!

The first time I had Boba tea was when a Taiwanese friend brought some for all of us on a trip. She had made some modifications to the classic tea and I have been HOOKED since!

I do enjoy glasses and glasses through Summer. And I do recall gulping down a dozen glasses of Bubble tea on my 3 day trip to Hong Kong. The tea was so refreshing and I totally loved the flavors.

I started making the tea at home a few years ago. After several failed attempts of finding the right Honey boba, I landed on this one and have not changed ever since!

Making bubble tea became EVEN easier when I started using the Instant Pot. I could cook the boba hand-free and then making the tea was a matter of only a few minutes!

Adding different syrups and flavors has been my new passion but I do like the unflavored one all the time!

What is Boba Tea

A popular Taiwanese drink with tea, tapioca boba and a flavor; bubble tea entered the food world a few years ago and has ONLY grown by leaps and bounds.

What was assumed to be 'just' a cold version of tea is now a mainstream drink and there are new variations coming up so often.

From just tea, milk, boba and sugar we now have popping boba, cheese foam, non dairy versions and the brown sugar ones. The dirty boba and coffee variations are slowly picking up too.

Also popularly known as pearl milk tea or boba tea; this drink is now even available in non-tea versions for those who do not want caffeine or for kids.

If you would like to learn more the history of boba tea, head here.

Why you'll LOVE this Rose Boba Tea Recipe

• Rose milk is THE ultimate cooler for Summer. Make it even better by turning it into this tea with honey boba.
• This recipe needs just a handful of ingredients and comes together quickly.
• Soft, chewy honey boba. Once the boba are cooked and cooled, they are super soft and delicious. Combine it with the milk tea and you have a clear winner!
• The light pink hue in the tea is magical. I would totally use the recipe and add some prism powder to make a Unicorn theme drink with it.
• Once you have the boba cooked, the whole thing comes together in under 5 minutes!
• The recipe is super versatile. Add the syrup of your choice to whip a new one. Peach, mango, strawberry, khus; the list is endless!

Using the Instant Pot to cook Boba

The boba used in the recipe can be made in the Instant Pot. While that is my go-to method, I am also sharing the stove top one for those who do not have an Instant Pot.

Making boba using the Instant Pot is hands-free, one step method. All you need to do is mix all the ingredients and cook. If you have the Instant Pot, follow these steps to cook your boba. The other steps remain same.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Boba: The recipe needs boba for sure. I like to use honey boba and this is my go-to brand to buy them. These honey boba always work well with the Instant Pot and stove top.

Honey boba can be made before hand. Store them in sugar syrup to keep them from sticking and becoming gooey.

If you would like to use any other kind of boba like popping boba, crystal boba etc, cook them as per the package instructions and use them in the tea. To buy the BEST honey Boba, head here.

Black tea: Black tea works the best with the flavors of rose. I use Oolong tea bags to make most of my boba teas.

Using jasmine tea or green tea is an option too. However, I find jasmine too floral with the floral notes of rose. Green tea works better.

Dried Rose buds/petals: To get the natural flavor of rose we use dried petals or buds of rose. Both work well.

It might be slightly easier to get the petals versus the buds. Here are the ones I use.

Rose Syrup: Rose syrup gives the tea a light pink color. Plus, it is great for the rose flavor and sweetness. This brand is my childhood favorite.

With the sweet syrup and sweetened boba in the tea, no more sugar is generally needed.

Milk: Whole milk, almond milk or even oat milk works well for the recipe. Coconut milk is too nutty for the floral tea and I generally avoid it.

Milk with more fat content gives a creamy tea. I tend to favor whole milk over the other milks for the recipe.

Step by Step Instructions to make Boba Tea

To make the tea

1- In a cup add warm water and place the tea bags and dried rose petals. Let them steep.

2- Remove the tea bags and rose buds from the steeped tea and discard.

To make the boba on the stove top

3- heat water in a pan and add dried honey boba. Mix well.

4- Bring to a boil and cook for 18-20 minutes. Stir intermittently to avoid it from sticking. Cook till the boba are soft.

5- Turn down the heat and let the boba cool.

6- Drain boba and place them in just enough water to cover them.

7- Add some sugar and mix well. Set aside for a while.

To assemble the tea

8- In a glass add ice.

9- Add half boba and rose syrup.

10- Next add in milk and top with the brewed tea.

11- Decorate with some dried rose petals and serve with wide straws!

Tips and Notes

• Cook the boba through. Test a couple before turning the flame off.
• To store the tea: The tea is best enjoyed fresh. However, it can be refrigerated for upto 4 hours. To keep it longer than that, remove all the boba with a slotted spoon and discard. Add more boba as required.
• To store the boba: Store cooked boba in an airtight container covered in sugar syrup. Refrigerate to keep them from hardening.
• Simply remove the boba to make regular Rose Tea with milk.