Brown Sugar Boba Recipe

Brown sugar boba iced coffee combines two of my favorite things. Most of the local boba shops sprouting around me offer brown sugar boba milk tea, which is delicious. After trying a few, my mind started to wander and I needed a way to combine my two favorite things: iced coffee and boba.

As boba shops began popping up around south Florida and the popularity for brown sugar boba spread, I knew I had to use the knowledge I gained in culinary school to recreate this drink at home. After dozens of recipe tests, I came up with the most delicious and accurate brown sugar boba iced latte recipe. This recipe is perfect every single time and just as good as your local boba tea shop.

The secret to perfect brown sugar boba

I've researched hundres recipes and have gone to dozens of bubble tea shops to try their brown sugar boba. The ones with a strong molasses flavor were the best. So to my brown sugar slurry, I add 2 tablespoons of molasses for the perfect flavor.

Boba Brown Sugar Ice Coffee Ingredients

• Instant brown sugar boba
• Molasses
• Brown sugar
• Water
• Brewed espresso
• Your choice of milk
• Whipped cream 

What kind of coffee to use

For this brown sugar boba iced coffee recipe, I used a strong espresso. However, you could use your favorite cold brew or iced coffee.

How to Make Brown Sugar Boba Coffee

• Prepare your espresso shots and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, add about a cup or 2 of water and set to high heat. Once boiling, add the chewy tapioca pearls. Cook for a few minutes, once the boba floats to the top it has fully cooked.
• While your boba cooks, make your homemade brown sugar syrup. In a small sauce pan add your molasses, brown sugar and water. Set to medium heat. Stir occasionally until your sugar melts. I typically allow the sugar mixture begin to simmer before removing from the heat.
• Strain your cooked boba out of the boiling water and add it to your brown sugar slurry. Stir the boba around to make sure they are well coated, otherwise they will clump up and stick to each other.
• In a 16 oz glass, add ¾ of your boba using a spoon to the bottom of the glass. You can strain out as much slurry as you'd like depending on how sweet you want your drink.
• On top of your boba, add ice to your glass and then pour in your milk of choice.
• Lastly, pour in your espresso.
• You can top your drink with some whipped cream and extra boba for garnish.

Tips and variations for this brown sugar boba latte

Looking for a non-dairy version of this drink? Use your favorite milk instead. Coconut milk, oat milk and almond milk all work great with this drink and is a perfect alternative. Omit the whipped cream if desired.

Don't want to use brewed coffee? You can opt instead for instant coffee

Not a coffee drinker? Swap the coffee for your favorite black tea making this a brown sugar milk tea

How to control this drink's sweetness for this boba coffee recipe

For this brown sugar boba iced coffee, I do not add any additional sweetener to the coffee or milk. I also don't add all of the brown sugar slurry to the drink.

If you like your iced coffee to be on the sweeter side, you can add extra brown sugar slurry or your sweetener of choice.

How to store Boba Coffee

Uncooked Boba Pearls:

• Sealed Package: Unopened, commercially packaged boba pearls have a long shelf life. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, ideally in a pantry or cupboard. They can last for months or even years depending on the expiration date.
• Opened Package: If you've opened the bag but haven't used all the pearls, transfer them to an airtight container to prevent moisture exposure. They'll stay fresh for 1-2 days in a cool, dry place.

Cooked Boba Pearls:

• Short-Term Storage (within a few hours): Leave cooked boba in the molasses syrup at room temperature for up to 4 hours. This will keep them soft and chewy.
• Refrigerate: Transfer them to an airtight container with the molasses syrup to prevent drying. They'll last 2 days in the fridge, but the texture might become slightly firmer. Reheat them before serving.

Check out these other coffee recipes