Here we are going to show you how to make a diy copycat chai tea latte that you would get at starbucks, but the bubble tea version. There is a guide to making a copycat starbucks drink in seconds using the powder if you want a quicker and easier way.
This one is going to be made without using the powder and combining all the spices into the black tea. Of course, the signature tapioca pearls will be added into the drink too.
Chai tea is a tea with both a sweet and spicy flavor to it, that comes with an array of spices. Some describe Chai tea as a healthy soothing drink to have on your spare time.
The drink that we will be making will include a ton of antioxidants and health benefits, plus it will be a rewarding experience to make this drink at home. This diy will be step by step.
How to Make A Starbucks Bubble Tea Chai Latte
The exact ingredients for making the boba tea version of a Chai latte:
- Tapioca Pearls – 2 Ounces
- Black Tea Leaves – 1 Tablespoon
- Cinnamon – 1 to 1½ Teaspoons
- Ginger – 1 Teaspoon
- Cardamom – 1 Teaspoon
- Clove – 1 Teaspoon
- Nutmeg – 1 Teaspoon
- Black Pepper – A pinch
- Sugar – As needed
- Milk (Whole, 2%, Almond, Soy etc..)
These are the ingredients for making a 16 ounce drink. You can add more or less of each of the spices and sugar to adjust it to your liking, but I like an even amount of each.
This is the special equipment needed to make this drink:
- A teapot and a strainer
- A small whisk
- Aeroccino for frothing milk automatically
There isn’t much of anything special besides a teapot and strainer for the spices and black tea. All else are just basic measurement units found in the kitchen. The small whisk is needed if you want to froth the milk before you place it into your tea to give it that signature latte look.
Once you have all the ingredients, then making the actual Chai tea bubble tea is pretty straight forward:
1. Prepare and cook your tapioca pearls.
You always want to start with your tapioca pearls since they take the longest. If you want to go all end and create the best drink that you have ever made in your kitchen, then go with original tapioca pearls. They take an hour to cook, but they will have the best texture and taste. There is a guide to cooking tapioca pearls if you need help. If you want faster cooked boba, then go with Wufuyuan’s instant pearls. They’ll finish cooking in under 10 minutes.
2. Prepare to steep your tea.
Take a tablespoon of black tea leaves and put it into your teapot. Hot water will be placed into the pot of temperatures 200 degrees Fahrenheit and 212 degrees Fahrenheit, but for now just put in your tea leaves.
3. Put in all of your spices.
Put in all of your spices into the teapot with your black tea leaves. Each of the spices have their own benefits, so it is good to use them all. A teaspoon is good, but can be increased for each individual spice if you like one spice more than another.
4. Pour your hot water into the teapot.
Now it is time to put in the hot water. The amount of water should correspond to how much tea you plan on drinking. Pour it into the teapot and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer the tea sits in the hot water, the more intense the flavor will be. It should be noted that there is a limit. You don’t want your tea to sit for too long, else it can make it too bitter. 5 to 10 minutes is recommended.
5. Strain your tea.
Strain your tea to stop the steeping process in a separate cup or container. This is your base for your Starbucks Chai tea. Congratulations.
6. Add sugar to your tea.
Add sugar to your liking into the tea to sweeten it up. 1 tablespoon of sugar per 8 ounces is recommended. Stir the tea.
7. Put your tapioca pearls into your drinking cup.
Whichever cup you will drink your starbucks chai bubble tea from is where you will put your cooked tapioca pearls. Place them in first into the bottom of the cup. This will prevent splash and spillage.
8. Prepare your milk.
A latte consists of frothed milk. If you don’t want to froth milk, then you can skip this step. Frothing milk is not too complicated if you have a small electronic whisk or a microwave. With the whisk, you would heat your milk first, then set your whisk at the bottom of the milk and whisk. The milk will begin to froth. If you want to try another method with the microwave, then watch this YouTube video on frothing it in the microwave.
The whole milk frothing process can be skipped by just simply getting an Aeroccino to froth the milk for you. It will do it with a push of a button in less than 2 minutes.
9. Pour your tea into your drinking cup.
Note: Before you begin, you can add ice to your liking to make it iced, but it will require quite a bit. Pour your Chai tea into the cup with your boba pearls, leaving room for your milk.
10. Pour your milk into the cup.
Pour in your milk last to finish your drink. You can sprinkle spices unto the top of the milk to give it design. You have now finished your Starbucks copycat Chai Boba Tea! Don’t forget your boba straw (or you can save the boba for last).
