This easy Chocolate Milk Tea is rich, creamy, and surprisingly low-cal! You can make it in three different ways, and it takes just 5 minutes to make delicious Chocolate Boba, no matter which method you choose.
For more chocolate drink recipes, check out my plain cacao tea recipe or spiced Mexican hot chocolate.
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🍫 What is Chocolate Milk Tea?
Chocolate milk tea is a delightful combination of milk, tea, and chocolate, creating a rich and creamy beverage that satisfies both tea and chocolate cravings.
As its popularity has grown, various methods of preparing chocolate milk tea have emerged, including using cocoa powder, chocolate, and cacao bean husks. I prefer the latter method, but everyone will have a favorite.
If you're already a fan of boba tea or bubble tea, you'll find that chocolate milk tea fits right in. Many people enjoy adding chewy tapioca pearls and other add-ins to homemade cocoa milk tea, a creation widely known as chocolate boba.
Since chocolate milk tea contains black tea, it will have caffeine in it. The exact amount of caffeine will vary depending on the type and strength of the tea you use, though you can use decaf tea for an evening beverage.
✔️ Why This Recipe Works
Flexible Recipe: whatever cocoa product you have on hand, from whole cacao beans to some old cocoa powder, it can be brewed to extract that delectable cacao flavor for tea (detailed below).
Low-Calorie Chocolate Drink: no matter which tea you use or flavors you add to the mix, sweetener and creamer are optional while the flavor is always huge. My favorite preparation is using the cocoa tea plus a huge spoon of calorie-free allulose sweetner and half & half in place of the milk - boba optional!
Batching-Friendly: it's extremely easy to make a huge batch of cacao milk tea to the exact strength you prefer, then pour it into a large jar or jug and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days (or frozen as ice cubes indefinitely).
🍽️ Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Glasses or mugs for serving
- Strainer (for cacao husks method)
- Kettle or alternative water boiling method (for brewing tea)
- Tea infuser or teabag (for green or black tea)
- Spoon for scooping tapioca pearls (optional)
🥛 Ingredients
Cacao: in the recipe card I cover how to use either milk or dark chocolate (chopped or in the form of chocolate chips), roasted cacao husks, or unsweetened cocoa powder.
Milk: you can use any type of creamer you prefer - oat milk, whole milk, almond milk, or soy milk are popular - including just adding a splash of cream or half & half if you prefer a stronger drink or want to serve it over ice.
Tea: honestly, generally I use black tea bags, but I find that the best flavor always comes from loose-leaf teas, especially if I opt for a lighter tea like Jasmine or green tea.
Vanilla Extract: this optional ingredient serves to enhance the chocolate flavor and aroma, though if you don't have it on hand, just omit it.
See recipe card for complete ingredients list and exact quantities.
Pros & Cons of Each Cacao Type
| Cacao Type | Flavor Profile | Caffeine Content | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocoa Powder | Rich, chocolatey, and slightly bitter | Low | Lower |
| Chocolate | Creamy, smooth, and well-rounded chocolate flavor | Low | Higher |
| Cacao Husks | Subtle, earthy chocolate notes with unique complexity | Very Low | Lower |
🍵 Variations and Substitutes
Tea Base - in place of the typical black tea, try green, herbal, or rooibos, or even a milder Chinese tea like jasmine or white tea to keep the chocolate flavor at the forefront or lightly complement it.
Milk of Choice - For a creamier taste, use half-and-half, coconut milk, or oat milk as your milk substitute.
- Nutty Chocolate Tea: Mix a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter into the tea base to create a rich and creamy texture that's only enriched by the addition of milk.
- Chocolate Tea Frosty: Blend your chocolate milk tea with some ice cream (vegan options work too!) for a frosty shake-like experience.
- Fruity Chocolate Milk Tea: For a more refreshing twist, you can try different fruit flavors in your chocolate milk tea. Popular options to pair with chocolate are mango and strawberry, though using a fruit-flavored Korean tea like pomegranate or orange could add some extra nutrient value and flavor. Some recipes use fruit purees, while others use fruit-flavored syrup alongside chewy black tapioca pearls or jellies at the bottom.
😋 How to Make Chocolate Milk Tea: Step-by-Step
1) Preparing the Tea Base
When making chocolate milk tea, the first step is to prepare a strong tea base. No matter which version you choose to make – using cocoa powder, chocolate, or cacao husks – this base is essential for a rich and flavorful beverage.
- Choose your tea: For a classic chocolate milk tea, black tea is the most popular choice. However, feel free to experiment with other types such as green tea if you prefer a lighter flavor.
- Measure the tea: Use 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea or 2-3 tea bags per 8 ounces of water; this makes a stronger tea base to counter the milk. If you're making a larger batch, simply adjust the measurements accordingly. For those using cacao husks, you'll need to add the cacao husks to your chosen tea leaves or bags.
- Boil the water: Bring water to a rolling boil, then remove it from heat. The ideal temperature for steeping tea varies depending on the type of tea you're using. For black tea, the water should be around 200-212°F, while green tea requires slightly cooler water at 150-180°F.
- Steep the tea: Place the tea leaves or tea bag (and cacao husks, if using) in a heatproof container, such as a teapot or a large mug. Pour the hot water over the tea, and let it steep for the recommended time – usually 3-5 minutes for black tea and 2-3 minutes for green tea. Add vanilla and sweetener to the tea mixture, if using cacao husk tea.
2a) For Chocolate Milk Tea with Cocoa Powder
Add 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to a separate bowl. Gradually mix in some hot water or the hot steeped tea to create a smooth paste, ensuring there are no lumps. Then add the cocoa paste to your brewed tea and stir well until fully combined. Add vanilla and sweetener to mixture, if using.
2b) For Chocolate Milk Tea with Chocolate Bars
To make chocolate milk tea using chocolate bars, first, choose your favorite type of chocolate. Dark chocolate works great if you enjoy a rich, less sweet flavor, while milk chocolate will give a sweeter taste. Weigh out one ounce of chocolate chips or break a chocolate bar into small pieces, and place them in a heatproof bowl.
Meanwhile, pour the hot brewed tea over the chocolate pieces, and let it sit for two minutes to soften the chocolate. Then gently stir the mixture until your melted chocolate fully blends with the water, creating a smooth, thin chocolate sauce. Add vanilla and sweetener to the mixture, if using.
3) Compiling Chocolate Milk Tea (Chocolate Boba)
No matter which chocolate tea method you choose, add your tapioca pearls (if using), then gently heat your milk of choice. Once warm, divide the base of chocolate tea with boba into two or three glasses, and pour equal amounts of the warm milk overtop.
For an even more indulgent treat, top your chocolate milk tea with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Alternately, add a sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for extra visual appeal, then add your straw and serve!
👨🏻🍳 Expert Tips and Tricks
Sweetness: Customize the sweetness of the drink to your taste preference. If you've never made it before, wait until you add the milk to decide whether it's sweet enough, and opt for a liquid sweetener like agave, honey, or stevia for easy blending.
To Make Chocolate Boba: To more quickly enjoy your chocolate boba, make sure you have the tapioca pearls fully cooked and cooled before staring to make the chocolate tea base. It comes together surprisingly quick, and it's even easy to batch and store in the fridge for whenever oyu want to make chocolate boba.
🌟 Storage and Shelf Life
Keep any leftover chocolate milk tea in a tightly sealed bottle or container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Any cooked boba pearls have a short shelf life, so consume boba within 4-6 hours of making them, or they'll become hard and lose their chewiness.
☕ Other Chocolate Drinks
🙋🏼 Frequently Asked Questions
To make chocolate milk tea, you'll need black tea, milk, and a sweetener such as sugar, honey, or agave syrup. Depending on the method you choose, you'll also need cocoa powder, chocolate, or cacao husks, and optional vanilla extract. If you want to add boba, you'll need tapioca pearls, water, and more sweetener for the syrup.
Yes, you can make chocolate-flavored boba pearls by incorporating cocoa powder or chocolate syrup into the tapioca mixture while making boba pearls at home. You can also prepare a chocolate syrup to soak the boba pearls in, giving them a rich chocolate flavor on the outside.
Yes, tea made from cacao husks (also known as cacao tea) does contain a small amount of caffeine. However, the amount is much lower than that found in traditional black tea or coffee. Cacao husks also contain theobromine, a mild stimulant similar to caffeine but with more gentle effects on the body. Making chocolate milk tea using cacao husks can provide a subtle, natural chocolate flavor and a mild energy boost without the stronger effects of a full dose of caffeine.
Have you tried this recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Chocolate Milk Tea (Chocolate Boba 3 Ways)
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Glasses or mugs for serving
- Strainer for cacao husks method
- Kettle or alternative water boiling method for brewing tea
- Tea infuser or teabag for green or black tea
- Spoon for scooping tapioca pearls optional
Ingredients
- 1 ounce milk or dark chocolate alt. 2 tablespoons roasted cacao husks or 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups milk oat milk, whole milk, almond milk, or your preferred type
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon loose-leaf green or black tea alt. 3-4 tea bags
- 2 tablespoons sugar honey, or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- ½ cup cooked tapioca pearls optional
Instructions
Preparing the Tea Base
- Choose your tea: For a classic chocolate milk tea, black tea is the most popular choice. However, feel free to experiment with other types such as green tea if you prefer a lighter flavor.
- Measure the tea: Use 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea or 2-3 tea bags per 8 ounces of water; this makes a stronger tea base to counter the milk. If you're making a larger batch, simply adjust the measurements accordingly. For those using cacao husks, you'll need to add the cacao husks to your chosen tea leaves or bags.
- Boil the water: Bring water to a rolling boil, then remove it from heat. The ideal temperature for steeping tea varies depending on the type of tea you're using. For black tea, the water should be around 200-212°F, while green tea requires slightly cooler water at 150-180°F.
- Steep the tea: Place the tea leaves or tea bag (and cacao husks, if using) in a heatproof container, such as a teapot or a large mug. Pour the hot water over the tea, and let it steep for the recommended time – usually 3-5 minutes for black tea and 2-3 minutes for green tea. Add vanilla and sweetener to the tea mixture, if using cacao husks.
2a) For Chocolate Milk Tea with Cocoa Powder
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to a separate bowl. Gradually mix in some hot water or the hot steeped tea to create a smooth paste, ensuring there are no lumps. Then add the cocoa paste to your brewed tea and stir well until fully combined. Add vanilla and sweetener to mixture, if using.
2b) For Chocolate Milk Tea with Chocolate Bars
- To make chocolate milk tea using chocolate bars, first, choose your chocolate. Dark chocolate works great if you enjoy a rich, less sweet flavor, while milk chocolate will give a sweeter taste. Weigh out one ounce of chocolate chips or chocolate bars and break them into small pieces, and place them in a heatproof bowl.
- Meanwhile, pour the hot brewed tea over the chocolate pieces, and let it sit for two minutes to soften the chocolate. Then gently stir the mixture until your melted chocolate fully blends with the water, creating a smooth, thin chocolate sauce. Add vanilla and sweetener to the mixture, if using.
3) Compiling Chocolate Milk Tea (Chocolate Boba)
- Add your tapioca pearls to the chocolate tea base (if using), then gently heat your milk of choice. Once warm, divide the tea with boba into two or three glasses, and pour equal amounts of the warm milk overtop.
- For an even more indulgent treat, top your chocolate milk tea with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Alternately, add a sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for extra visual appeal, then add your straw and serve!
Alba
Great recipe! My daughters loved it
Max
I'm glad to hear it! It's a household favorite around here. 🙂