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Easy wintermelon milk tea is a refreshing, sweet bubble tea made with fresh wintermelon, jasmine tea, brown sugar, and chewy tapioca pearls! Serve this fruity beverage for a quick pick-me-up or mid-afternoon treat. Vegan, gluten-free and easily made kid-friendly too!
Boba drinks are my fave! I love the combination of boba tea with chewy tapioca pearls soaked in a brown sugar syrup. And this wintermelon milk tea recipe has a subtle sweetness and slight floral flavor from the Jasmine tea.
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If you love boba tea, this fruity drink with a homemade syrup will make you swoon. It's light and refreshing, plus you get an added boost of health benefits from the wintermelon. It takes a little bit of time to make, but trust me, it's so worth it!
🍈 What Is Wintermelon?
Wintermelons, also known as ash gourds, wax gourds, or scientifically Benincasa Hispida, are large green fruits with white flesh and a neutral flavor. This versatile fruit is native to Southeast Asia, harvested during the summer and autumn months, then enjoyed in soups, sweets, and stir-fries.
They are a member of the gourd family along with cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins! Wintermelon's cool name is due to the fact it's picked in the summer, but has a long shelf life and can be stored until the cooler months of winter. Small winter melons have fuzzy hairs on the fruit's surface that give way to a waxy sheen once they mature.
👩🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect drink for boba enthusiasts & bubble tea lovers
- This winter melon milk tea recipe is a sweet refreshing drink!
- Great for the hot summer months, but delicious year round too.
- High antioxidant content
- Naturally gluten free
- Vegan and dairy free
- Unique drink with subtle flavors
- Best wintermelon milk tea recipe ever!!
🥘 Ingredients
You only need seven ingredients for this easy recipe! Wintermelon milk tea ingredients are as follows:
- Wintermelon: Find wintermelons at Asian grocery stores or well-stocked specialty grocery stores. They boast a vegetal appearance that resembles a large cucumber or oblong watermelon. Cooking it intensifies the wintermelon flavor!
- Brown Sugar: To sweeten the fruit syrup and the tapioca pearls! Sugar encourages the wintermelon to release its juice and helps thicken the mixture. Note: with the brown sugar added, this drink does have a high sugar content. For a lower sugar option, see the variations below.
- Rock Sugar: If you can't find rock sugar, coconut sugar or more brown sugar works fine too.
- Jasmine Tea Bags: Green jasmine tea has a light, floral flavor that doesn't overpower this subtle tasting fruit. Any type of green tea or black tea can be subbed in its place though.
- Tapioca Pearls: Tapioca or boba pearls are chewy tapioca balls that sit on the bottom of your drink for a sweet and fun surprise!
- Maple Syrup: For additional sweetness, if desired. Light agave nectar works great too!
- Oat Milk: Milk, hence the name milk tea, makes the drink creamy! I used unsweetened oat milk, but cashew, almond, or whole milk are good options too. Just keep in mind, if you use whole milk this winter melon drink recipe won't be vegan.
- Ice: Plenty of ice cubes to keep it ice cold!
📖 Variations
Winter melon bubble tea is easy to customize! Try swapping the tea, milk, or flavoring for something new.
- Tea: Feel free to swap the Jasmine tea with another type of green, black, oolong, or white tea.
- Milk: Creamy milk is an essential part of any boba tea. Feel free to use regular milk or your favorite plant-based version. Soy, coconut, and almond milk are great options.
- Low Sugar Option: Replace the brown sugar with powdered monk fruit, and feel free to replace the maple syrup with a sugar free syrup!
- Flavor: The flavors and opportunities are endless! Try flavored syrups and fruit purees such as mango, strawberry, peach, or coconut. For less sugar, cut back on the brown sugar or use artificial sweeteners instead.
🔪 How To Make Wintermelon Milk Tea With Boba
Macerate Wintermelon: Peel and dice the watermelon and place it into a bowl. Sprinkle winter melon cubes with a little bit of brown sugar, then stir well. Let it sit for an hour.
Boil Wintermelon: Pour the wintermelon and its juices into a pot and bring to a boil.
Simmer Wintermelon: Add the rock sugar, reduce the heat, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir at least every 5 minutes to prevent the bottom of the pot from burning.
Make Wintermelon Syrup: Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour the melon into a high-speed food processor and blend until smooth.
Strain: Strain the watermelon puree, set it aside, and let it cool.
Make Tea Base: Bring 2 cups of water to a simmer and remove it from the heat. Add the tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool.
Boil Boba Pearls: While the tea cools, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the tapioca pearls, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Strain pearls, transfer to a small bowl, and stir in the brown sugar. Set aside to cool.
Assemble Jasmine Milk Tea: Divide the tapioca pearls and syrup between two glasses. Top with ice.
Add wintermelon juice, tea, and milk.
Enjoy winter melon boba immediately!
❓Recipe FAQs
Is wintermelon milk tea healthy?
Wintermelon milk tea is a healthier option because it contains winter melon, a type of gourd with medicinal properties. It carries a high amount of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. It may ease gastrointestinal distress and high blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and protect your body against cell damage. If you make this winter melon tea with monk fruit instead of the brown sugar, it's a much healthier option than what you'd find at your local boba tea shop!
What does wintermelon milk tea taste like?
Winter melon green tea has a mild but refreshing flavor similar to a cucumber. It's slightly grassy and tastes delicious paired with brown sugar and jasmine tea.
Should I use syrup or milk tea powder?
Homemade milk tea tastes better than the pre made powder, but the powder is helpful if you're in a hurry. It already contains the tea, milk, and sweetener. All you have to do is mix it with hot water then refrigerate and add ice.
Can I make winter melon boba tea ahead of time?
It's best to enjoy milk tea fresh, but you prepare the elements ahead of time then assemble before you plan to drink it. Make the Jasmine tea and the wintermelon puree up to 3 days ahead of time and refrigerate in an airtight container. Mix and add the milk right before you plan to drink it!
How Much Caffeine is in Winter melon boba tea?
Wintermelon milk tea caffeine content will depend on what type of tea you use and how long it's steeped. A cup of tea typically contains around 25 mg per 8 ounce cup.
💭 Expert Tips
- Try to dice the winter melon into small cubes so they cook evenly.
- If you want the drink to be even sweeter, stir in more maple syrup or agave. You can always add more, but you can't take it out.
- If you want to sweeten the drink with honey instead of maple syrup, be sure to do it while the tea is hot. Otherwise the honey won't dissolve. Also keep in mind that if you use honey, the tea will no longer be vegan friendly.
- Don't forget to add ice!! It's essential to giving you a cool, balanced drink.
