Name: Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 625 g dairy or non-dairy milk (preferably oat milk); 4 Earl Grey tea bags; 100 g tapioca pearls; 50 g brown sugar; 1-2 tablespoons water (for syrup adjustment); Ice (as needed)

If you're a fan of tea with a twist, this Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe is a wonderful treat to enjoy anytime you want a cozy yet refreshing drink. Combining the fragrant notes of bergamot in Earl Grey with chewy tapioca pearls, it's perfect for warm afternoons or a delightful pick-me-up. You'll love how easy it is to make at home, with simple ingredients and a calm brewing process that feels like a quiet moment just for you.

A clear glass filled with three layers: at the bottom, a layer of small, round black tapioca pearls; above that, a creamy light brown milk tea with ice cubes visible near the top; a woman's hand holds a silver metal straw inserted into the drink from above. The glass sits on a white square coaster, which rests on a wooden board. In the background, a small white cream pitcher is slightly blurred, and the scene has a white marbled surface beneath. The lighting is soft, highlighting the textures of the drink and tapioca pearls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 — Earl Grey Bubble Tea, homemade bubble tea, tapioca pearl tea, bergamot tea drink, easy bubble tea recipe

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Why You'll Make This on Repeat
Ingredient Highlights
Step-by-Step for Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe
Kitchen Notes I Rely On
Serving & Sides
Make-Ahead & Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Printable Recipe

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Why You'll Make This on Repeat

This recipe is a delightful balance of fragrant tea and the playful texture of tapioca pearls, giving you a comforting drink that's also fun to sip. It's a simple way to impress yourself with homemade bubble tea that doesn't rely on complicated equipment.

Reliable Texture: The pearls cook up perfectly chewy every time without getting mushy.
Balanced, Cozy Flavor: The bergamot in Earl Grey adds a citrusy lift to the creamy tea base.
Pantry-Friendly: Uses easy-to-find ingredients like tapioca pearls and your favorite milk.
Weeknight Simple: Prep and cook under an hour with steps that fit around your schedule.

Ingredient Highlights

A clear glass filled with three layers: at the bottom are black tapioca pearls, the middle layer is light brown milk tea with a smooth texture, and the top layer has ice cubes. The tea is being poured from a white pitcher into the glass, creating a light brown stream. The glass sits on a white marble coaster over a wooden board on a white marbled surface. In the background is a beige wall, a small white cup, and a white bowl with black tapioca pearls in the lower left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 — Earl Grey Bubble Tea, homemade bubble tea, tapioca pearl tea, bergamot tea drink, easy bubble tea recipe

Choosing the right ingredients really makes a difference in your Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe. Opt for quality tea and tapioca pearls to get that signature flavor and texture that we all crave.

Earl Grey Tea Bags: Go for loose-leaf or high-quality bags for a more pronounced bergamot aroma.
Milk (dairy or non-dairy): I always use oat milk for its creamy, naturally sweet profile that complements the tea beautifully.
Tapioca Pearls: Fresh or premium pearls that cook up chewy without sticking together work best.
Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that enhances the syrup coating the pearls.

Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.

Step-by-Step for Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe

Step 1 - Prep & Season

Start by gently warming your milk in a small pot over medium heat-aim just for a simmer, not a boil. Add the Earl Grey tea bags and turn off the heat, covering the pot to steep for about 10 minutes. You'll notice the milk takes on a soft amber hue and a fragrant bergamot scent fills the air. Press the tea bags against the pot's side using the back of a spoon to squeeze out every drop of that infused milk before discarding them. Transfer this milky tea to a container with a spout, cover it, and pop it in the fridge to chill while you prepare the pearls.

Step 2 - Build Flavor

Next, clean your pot and fill it with about an inch of fresh water. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then add the tapioca pearls all at once. Give them a quick stir immediately so none of the pearls stick together. You'll want to boil them uncovered for about 15 minutes. The pearls will slowly transform from opaque to a deliciously glossy, chewy texture. This step is truly satisfying to watch if you've never cooked tapioca pearls before!

Step 3 - Finish for Best Texture

Once your pearls have boiled, remove the pot from heat but keep it covered for another 15 minutes. This resting period perfects their chewiness. In a small bowl, add the brown sugar. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the still-warm pearls right into the sugar, letting their heat dissolve it to create a luscious syrup. Stir gently, and if the mixture seems too dry, splash in a tablespoon or two of water to loosen the syrup. This syrup is the magic that coats each pearl with sweetness, making your bubble tea irresistible.

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Kitchen Notes I Rely On

Throughout my experience making this Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe, I've found that patience really pays off when cooking the pearls. Rushing leads to pearls that are overly soft or clumpy.

Doneness Cue: The pearls should be glossy and chewy, not mushy or hard in the center.
Temperature Trick: Keep the tea warm but not boiling for steeping to avoid bitterness.
Make-Ahead Move: Prepare the tea base and pearls separately a day ahead to save time and mix fresh before serving.
Skip This Pitfall: Don't add tapioca pearls too early-overcooking will ruin their bite.

Serving & Sides

Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe - Recipe Image — Earl Grey Bubble Tea, homemade bubble tea, tapioca pearl tea, bergamot tea drink, easy bubble tea recipe

Finishing Touches

To assemble, scoop about 100 grams of the brown sugar-coated tapioca pearls into your serving glass. Fill the glass generously with ice-this chills your tea quickly and keeps the pearls lively. Pour in roughly 300 grams of your chilled Earl Grey milk tea. Stir well and taste; add any reserved brown sugar syrup if you want it a touch sweeter. I love how the glossy pearls suspend in the smooth, aromatic tea-it's a treat for all the senses.

Pairs Nicely With

Light pastries like almond cookies or a simple buttery scone go beautifully alongside this drink. The slightly floral tea and molasses notes of the brown sugar pearls balance the buttery richness perfectly. You could also enjoy it as a standalone afternoon indulgence-sometimes, that's all you need!

Simple Plating Upgrades

I like serving this Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe in clear glasses to show off the pearls' glossy sheen nestled in ice and creamy tea. Add a wide straw so the pearls can glide up easily, and perhaps a little fresh mint sprig for an added pop of color and freshness.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store any leftover brewed milk tea in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days-give it a gentle stir before serving to reincorporate flavors. Tapioca pearls are best enjoyed fresh but will keep in syrup at room temperature for a few hours. Refrigeration makes them toughen, so avoid long storage.

Freezer Tips

Tapioca pearls don't freeze well; freezing makes them hard and brittle. The tea base, however, can be frozen in a sealed container for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge and stir before mixing with fresh pearls.

Reheating Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe Without Drying Out

If you want to warm your milk tea, gently heat it on the stove or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Avoid overheating since it can taste burnt or separate. Tapioca pearls are best served at room temperature or chilled rather than reheated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use loose-leaf Earl Grey tea instead of bags?

Absolutely. Use about 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea and steep it in the warmed milk with a fine mesh infuser or strain after steeping to get that same bright bergamot flavor.

How do I prevent tapioca pearls from sticking?

Stir pearls immediately after adding to boiling water and avoid overcrowding the pot. Also, stirring gently during cooking helps keep them separate.

Can I substitute the brown sugar syrup with honey or maple syrup?

You can, but brown sugar gives a richer, caramelized taste that complements the pearls and tea best. Honey or maple syrup will create a different, lighter sweetness.

How long do tapioca pearls keep their texture once cooked?

They're best enjoyed within a few hours after cooking. Over time, they can harden or become too soft, which affects the chewy experience bubble tea is known for.

Final Thoughts

This Earl Grey Bubble Tea Recipe is a comforting blend of aromatic tea and playful texture that you'll find yourself craving again and again. I love how approachable it is-no need for specialized tools, just a bit of patience and some simple ingredients. Next time you want something special that feels like a cozy moment in a cup, give this recipe a try. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.

Printable Recipe