Hokkaido Milk Tea

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclosure policy.

Hokkaido milk tea is a creamy black tea based drink popular in Japan. This recipe uses brewed black tea, Hokkaido milk, and tapioca pearls. This drink is sweet and rich, perfect as an afternoon treat or as an ending to a meal. The addition of boba makes this fun drink filling enough to be enjoyed as a light snack or tasty dessert.

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

NOTE: By saving this recipe, you agree to join our weekly recipes newsletter.

Why we love this recipe

Creamy and refreshing, this drink is easy to make and fun to share!
The addition of boba adds a great texture as the pop in your mouth.
Super simple to prepare in just 5 minutes!
Can be enjoyed warm on a cool fall day, or cold as a refreshing summer drink.

What is Hokkaido milk tea

Hokkaido milk tea is a hot or cold milk based beverage that contains brewed black tea, sugar, and in this case, tapioca pearls. Usually this recipe is made with special Hokkaido milk from Japan which is renowned for its creamy, delicious flavor.

Brewed black tea is mixed with creamy milk, sugar syrup, and softened boba for a fun, refreshing and comforting drink. This authentic Japanese beverage can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Hokkaido milk tea shares many similarities with Okinawa milk tea. Both use black team, milk and sweeteners, but both also make use of specific and unique local ingredients. Hokkaido milk tea specifically uses hokkaido milk, while okinawa milk tea uses a special okinawa brown sugar.

Try my Orange Creamsicle Milkshake!

Variations to try

This recipe is easily customizable from different types of milk, to different sweeteners.

Sweeteners – This recipe can be made with the brown sugar syrup used here, or sweetened with honey, maple syrup, sugar, or alternative sweeteners.

Milk – Hokkaido milk is needed for an authentic milk tea, but instead you can use whatever milk you have available.

Dairy Free – For anyone avoiding dairy, try using your favorite dairy free milk alternative such as nut milk or other plant based milk.

No Boba – Some love boba, some hate it. The choice is your, feel free to make this milk tea without any tapioca.

Tips

Here are some quick tips to master this recipe.

Make the brown sugar syrup in a larger batch. It’s easier to make in large batches and save until you need it.
Don’t let the sugar burn, you want to cook it just until the sugar dissolves and the texture is similar to syrup.
Allow the tapioca to soften fully before adding it to the milk tea.
For cold brew milk tea, let the brewed black tea cool completely before mixing in cold milk. For hot milk tea, add the milk to the hot tea and heat until it’s warmed through.
Check an Asian specialty store for Hokkaido milk. If you can’t find it there is also Hokkaido milk powder you can use.

Leftovers

This recipe is so quick and easy, it’s best made fresh. You can prepare a larger batch of brown sugar syrup and store in the fridge until ready to use. Allow the syrup to warm and soften before use.

Cold brew Hokkaido milk tea can be made 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge ready to enjoy.

Try my The Best M&M Boozy Milkshake Recipe!

Pin this recipe now to remember it later

Pin Recipe