Boba Cocktails: A Complete Guide To Making And Enjoying Them

If you’re wondering who we have to thank for the delicious tapioca treat that is the bubble or boba tea, it is the late Lin Hsis Hui, a Taiwanese teahouse owner who started adding tapioca balls to her iced teas in the 1980s. Over the years, boba tea has evolved tremendously and become popular the world over with a plethora of flavours and combinations available. The beverage also has the American sitcom Fresh Off The Boat to thank that tremendously boosted its popularity in the country. 

In recent times, mixologists even started experimenting with recipes that incorporate boba tea in cocktails. It’s exact and origin and not documented and we’ll never really know whom to thank. Regardless, this pearly drink is such a delight with most spirits and liqueurs that you’ve got to try them whenever you get the chance… or you can make them for yourself with the help of these delicious recipes! 

First, you’ll have to ace the recipe for making boba tea. For this, you’ll need 50 gms of dried tapioca pearls, 15 gms of brown sugar, 2 black tea bags, 300 ml of hot water, 150 ml of milk or dairy alternative, and ice cubes. First, cook the tapioca balls in 500 ml of boiling water for 20 minutes. Remove them from the heat and sweeten with the brown sugar. Then boil the tea bags in 300 ml of water and allow it to cool and then chill for an hour in the fridge. Then, add some ice in a glass, add the pearls, pour in the tea, and then add the milk or dairy alternative. And there you go! Your base is ready. Now, the cocktails. 

Bourbon Boba Iced Tea 

For this, you’ll need 30 ml of bourbon, 20 gms of brown sugar, 150 ml of classic boba tea, 30 ml of simple syrup, and a few dashes of orange bitters. In a highball glass, add some ice. Follow it up with boba tea, bourbon, brown sugar, simple syrup, and orange bitters and stir well. 

Blue Skies Boba Pina Colada 

For this recipe, you’ll need 30 ml of pineapple-infused white rum, 60 ml of coconut milk, 50 ml of coconut cream, 20 ml of blue curaçao, 20 ml of fresh lime juice, and 60 gms of blueberry boba. In a cocktail shaker, add everything except the boba and shake well. Then, in a highball glass filled with ice, strain the mixture, add the boba and give it a good stir. 

The Raspberry Boba Tea 

For this recipe, you’ll need 20 ml of raspberry liqueur, 20 ml of Aperol, 20 ml of freshly squeezed lime juice, 100 gms of boba pearls, 50 ml of prosecco, 50 ml of club soda, and fresh raspberries for garnish. In a highball glass, add some ice and add the raspberry liqueur, lime juice, and Aperol. Then add the boba, and prosecco. Top it off with club soda, Finally, garnish with fresh raspberries. 

Irish Boba  

For this recipe, you’ll need 30 ml of bourbon, 30 ml of Bailey’s Irish Cream, 150 ml of iced coffee, 60 gms of boba pearls, and whipped cream for garnish. In a highball glass filled with ice, add the bourbon, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and iced coffee and stir well. Then add the boba pearls and garnish with whipped cream. 

Boba Passion Fruit Tea 

For this recipe, you’ll need 30 ml of passion fruit-infused vodka, 150 ml of boba iced tea, 30 ml of simple syrup, and passion fruit puree for garnish. In a highball glass filled with ice, add the vodka and simple syrup and still well. Then, pour in the boba tea and garnish with passion fruit puree.