This vegan bubble tea recipe is inspired by Dubai’s favorite hot drink, Karak tea! You only need vegan karak and tapioca pearls to make the best cold karak boba tea!
It is the perfect bubble tea recipe to enjoy this summer—a refreshing, easy-to-prep, and delicious twist on a traditional recipe!
Ingredients:
The ingredients have two parts: one for the vegan karak mix and the second is ingredients to prepare the vegan karak bubble tea:
Vegan Karak tea ingredients:
- Red Label black tea: To prepare traditional karak tea, choose loose black tea leaves, such as Red Label black tea or any other brand you prefer. Alternatively, you can use black tea bags.
- Water
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: I used sweetened condensed coconut milk (from Nature’s Charm) in this recipe. It was sweet enough that you didn’t need to add any more sugar.
- Ginger: I have used fresh ginger slices, but you can use ginger powder instead.
- Cinnamon powder
- Cardamom: the star ingredient in any Karak recipe! If you would choose only one spice to make your karak tea, I suggest you use only cardamom! It is basically what makes Karak tea, a karak tea 😉
Vegan Bubble Tea Recipe Ingredients:
- Plant-milk: Oat barista milk was used in this recipe, but opt for any available plant-milk.
- Tapioca pearls: I’ve used black sugar tapioca pearls from Amazon. You can choose any tapioca pearl. You can find it at Asian supermarkets or order it online.
- Vegan Karak tea mix
- Ice cubes
How to make this vegan bubble tea recipe?
- Gather all the ingredients for karak tea: tea leaves, condensed milk, and spices. Crush the cardamom pods to release their flavor into the tea.
- Add two cups of water to a pan or big teapot. When the water bubbles, add two tablespoons of Red Label tea leaves, half a tablespoon of fresh chopped ginger, 1.5 tablespoons of slightly crushed cardamom pods, and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Let it simmer for two minutes.
- Add one cup of the condensed coconut milk and stir.
- Let the tea simmer for another 1 – 2 minutes.
- Strain the tea leaves and place them in the fridge to cool.
- Next, prepare the tapioca pearls as per package instructions.
- It is time to prepare your boba karak tea. Add the tapioca pearls to the bottom of your glass cup. Next, add the ice cubes and milk, and pour the karak tea. Enjoy!
Storing leftover:
To store the Karak tea mix, transfer it into an airtight container, preferably a glass container/ bottle. Store it in the refrigerator, lasting up to 2-3 days. The tapioca pearls, once prepared, must be used immediately. They won’t last in the fridge; they will become sticky and hard to separate. It is best to prepare the quantity you need and use all of it.
Recommended Recipes:
If you love boba tea, then you should try this delicious banana boba tea recipe next!
More plant-based recipes to explore next on VBA:
- Healthy Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe.
- Classic Iraqi jajik recipe, plant-based version!
- Nut-free energy balls recipe, perfect for a snack any time of the day!
- Delicious coleslaw recipe.
If you make this recipe, I’d love a comment and a rating. Please make sure to tag me in re-creation on Instagram @veganbilaraby. I love to see your take on my vegan recipes 💚
Vegan Bubble Tea Recipe
Equipment
- pot
- Strainer
Ingredients
Ingredients to make Karak tea mix
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoon Red Lable tea leaves
- ½ tablespoon fresh ginger roughly chopped
- 1½ tablespoon cardamom pods slightly crushed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 cup Nature's Charm sweetened condensed coconut milk
Ingredients to me Karak Boba Tea
- ½ cup tapioca pearls see note
- 5 cups water
- 1½ cups Oatly Barista oat milk
- ¾ cup Karak tea mix
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Add water to a pan or big teapot. When the water bubbles, add tea leaves, ginger, cardamom pods, and cinnamon powder.
- Let it simmer for two minutes. Add condensed coconut milk and stir
- Let the tea simmer for another 1 – 2 minutes. Strain the tea leaves and place them in the fridge to cool.
- Add water to a pan and bring to a boil. Add the pearls and stir to prevent them from sticking to the pan.
- After all the pearls come to the surface, switch to medium heat and cook for 25 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it stand for 25 minutes. Drain the pearls and start assembling the bubble tea.
- Add the tapioca pearls to the bottom of your glass cup. Next, add the ice cubes, then milk, and pour karak tea. Enjoy!
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