As a dedicated milk tea lover, I absolutely adore this Caramel Milk Tea. It’s every bit as delightful as the ones from my favorite milk tea shops, and the cherry on top? It’s super simple to whip up at home!

An enticing photo of a steaming cup of caramel milk tea sitting on a sunlit windowsill. The sunlight streaming through the window casts a soft glow, highlighting the rich, inviting colors of the beverage.

Why you’ll love this Caramel Milk Tea

Indulgent Caramel Flavor: The rich combination of sweet black sugar and creamy milk creates a luscious base that reminds you of delicious dulce de leche.
Quick and Easy: You only need four simple ingredients—Earl Grey tea, black sugar, full cream milk, and water—to whip up this delightful drink in just 15 minutes.
Healthier Choice: Making your own milk tea gives you control over the ingredients! This recipe uses black sugar and milk, which have fewer calories than the processed sugars and creams in many store-bought options. You can even use low-fat or non-dairy milk for a healthier twist, all without any unnecessary additives or preservatives.
Completely Customizable: Adjust the sweetness and creaminess to suit your taste. Feel free to try different teas like jasmine or oolong, and switch to low-fat or non-dairy milk for a lighter, vegan-friendly option.

Ingredients

Earl Grey Tea: Earl Grey tea serves as the perfect base for caramel milk tea with its light, floral notes that beautifully complement the sweetness of black sugar. Be sure to use loose leaf tea, as it stirs easily with the black sugar, enhancing both the tea’s flavor and the caramel essence.
Hot Water: Freshly boiled water is essential for steeping your tea. The ideal temperature for steeping black tea is 212°F (98°C), so simply use boiling water for the best results.
Full-Cream Milk: Full-cream milk is key to achieving that creamy texture in caramel milk tea. You can stick with regular dairy milk or opt for non-dairy alternatives based on your preference.
Black Sugar: Instead of caramel sauce, this recipe uses black sugar for its unique sweetness and caramel flavor. You can find black sugar at most Asian grocery stores, or substitute it with brown sugar.
Ice (Optional): For those hot summer days, I love adding ice to my caramel milk tea, turning it into a refreshing treat.
Boba Pearls (Optional): You can find boba pearls at most Asian grocery stores, or make your own at home using tapioca flour.

Related Recipes | Delicious Snacks to Pair with Caramel Milk Tea

Photo of Coconut Pandan Waffles (Banh Kep La Dua), a delectable pandan waffle recipe, displaying the golden-brown, crispy exterior and the tender, fluffy interior of the waffles, infused with the irresistible aroma and vibrant green color of pandan. — **Vietnamese Pandan Waffle**

Delicious Vietnamese Bánh Pate Sô (pork pate chaud), golden-brown pastries filled with savory pork and encased in flaky puff pastry, ready to be enjoyed as a delightful snack or breakfast treat — **Pâté Chaud**
(Vietnamese Meat Pie)

Freshly made matcha waffles with a golden crispy exterior and a soft green tea-infused interior. — **Matcha Waffle**

Vietnamese iced coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) — **Vietnamese Iced Coffee**

Instructions

Stir Earl Grey Tea and Black Sugar: In a small pot or saucepan, stir together Earl Grey tea and black sugar on low heat until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Steep the Tea: Add boiled water to the pot and let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, or until the tea is fragrant and strong.
Pour Your Favorite Milk: Add your favorite full-cream milk to the tea, stirring gently to combine.
Strain the Tea: Strain the tea into a cup or pitcher, using a fine mesh strainer to remove any tea pulp or leaves.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve your Earl Grey caramel milk tea with boba pearl, hot or over ice depending on your preference.

Instructional Video

Helpful Tips

Customize the sweetness and the creaminess: Adjust the amount of sugar to your liking. For a creamier tea, you can substitute a part of milk with heavy cream or evarporated milk, or use half-and-half instead of milk.
Experiment with milk alternatives: If you’re lactose intolerant or simply prefer plant-based options, feel free to substitute full-cream milk with almond, soy, or oat milk.
Use high-quality tea: The quality of the tea you use can make a big difference in the flavor of your drink. Choose a high-quality loose-leaf Earl Grey tea for the best taste.
Add more texture with toppings: If you want more texture and flavor, try adding other toppings like boba pearls, egg pudding, or grass jelly to your drink. Or you can top your Caramel Milk Tea with a layer of sea salt cream froth or cream cheese foam for an extra indulgent treat.
Cook boba pearls correctly (if you incorporate boba pearls into your drink): Overcooked or undercooked boba pearls can ruin the texture of your drink. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package and cook the boba pearls to the perfect chewiness.

Storage tips

Caramel milk tea is best served fresh, but if you have leftover tea, you could leave the tea cool down to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container.
You can store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover tea, you could drink it directly from the fridge or simply reheat it in a saucepan over low heat.
Don’t microwave it, as it can affect the flavor of the tea.

Thanks a bunch for giving my recipe a shot! If you enjoyed it, I’d truly appreciate a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating or a comment to let me know your thoughts.

And don’t forget to stay in touch with me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube 🥰.