Copycat Starbucks Brown Sugar Boba

Boba, also known as ‘bubble tea,’ is a really popular, trendy drink. And while boba sure is delicious, it also has a bunch of sugar, corn syrup, and junk hidden inside of it. Did you know you can easily make your own boba at home? It’s not only more affordable when you do, but it also means you get to control the type of sweetener, the calories, ingredients, and flavor.

Today, we will discuss the high-quality ingredients you can use to make homemade boba tea. We will also share my favorite version of brown sugar boba, which is a copycat of boba-inspired drinks from Starbucks. Making brown sugar bubble tea yourself means you can skip the lines and drive-thrus for good. Move over, Starbucks… this brown sugar boba recipe is going to wow you!

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What is Boba Tea?

Boba tea is a Taiwanese beverage that contains chewy tapioca pearls called boba. Classic boba tea is typically made with a brewed tea base, milk, boba pearls, and a sweetener like simple syrup. Boba drinks can come in all kinds of colors, depending on the flavor. With many boba drinks having a bright, aesthetic appearance, it’s no surprise that boba has caught people’s attention! 

The history of boba

Before we get any further, let’s dive into the history of how boba came to be. Boba tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and began to take root in the United States during the 1990s in communities with large Asian populations. I remember as a young teen boba drinks hitting the stores with their littler floating gel-like pearls.

While boba tea started out in Asian-American communities and restaurants, it has since become a wildly popular beverage enjoyed by people from a wide range of cultures and across the globe.

Much of that is thanks to social media, especially in the past few years, as boba quickly became a trendy treat to post on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and more! 

Is boba tea the same thing as bubble tea?

Yes, boba tea and bubble tea are the same thing! Bubble tea was the original name of the drink in Taiwan. The name was inspired by the bubbles that formed when shaking the tea, and also the shape of the tapioca balls — they’re round like bubbles!

The name boba is more popular in Western areas of the world, like the United States, but you can use the names boba tea and bubble tea interchangeably. They are the same delicious drink, just with two different names.

Boba in popular culture

In addition to its unique appearance and delicious flavor, here are some of the top reasons why people love boba.

• Customizable: Boba tea can be customized with different flavors and toppings, and the sweetness can be adjusted too. There are so many ways to make it, which means everyone can have it just the way they like.
• Tea Tastes Better Together: There’s just something about a homemade boba that invites folks to gather. Around the table or out on the porch, it’s a little moment worth sharing.

• Kid-Friendly: Kids love boba for the texture and flavor. You’ll love it for being an easy way to introduce herbal drinks they’ll actually enjoy.

• Caffeine-Free Options: Not all boba has to come with a jolt. You can make your own blends with herbal tea and skip the caffeine altogether.

Boba has become so popular that it has even made its way into mainstream food chains like Starbucks. In the summer of 2024, Starbucks added boba-inspired drinks to their menu, selling a pretty blue refresher with raspberry popper pearls. 

One of the most popular boba drinks is brown sugar boba! It has a flavor similar to the Starbucks brown sugar shaken espresso, but minus the coffee and with boba added, of course. Next time you are debating between going out for Starbucks or boba, I challenge you to make your own Starbucks boba milk tea at home!

Ingredients in our Brown Sugar Boba Recipe

This brown sugar bubble tea recipe is made with ingredients that are healthier alternatives to sugary, processed ingredients. 

Loose-leaf tea

We use our Farmhouse Southern Sweet Tea as the base for this recipe. This Ceylon black tea has a rich, malty flavor and notes of honey and caramel. Ceylon tea is also rich in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, and helps support blood sugar regulation.

Tapioca pearls

You can make brown sugar boba with store-bought or homemade tapioca pearls. While it does take a bit of time to make your own boba, the actual steps are pretty simple! All you need is tapioca starch, brown sugar, and water. Start by making a syrup base with water and brown sugar, then stir in the tapioca starch. This will form a dough. 

Once the dough has cooled, you can knead it, roll it out, and then cut it into small pieces. The final step is to boil the tapioca pearls, then strain and rinse with cold water. To keep them fresh and chewy for a few hours, soak them in a syrup made from brown sugar and water until ready to use.

Coconut sugar

Coconut sugar is a healthier but equally delicious alternative to regular white sugar. Because it is less processed than regular sugar, it retains more nutrients. It also has a lower glycemic index, which is helpful for anyone trying to avoid blood sugar spikes.

Dairy-free milk

To give this recipe a light, creamy texture, we add dairy-free milk. Unsweetened milk is best here since the recipe already calls for another sweetener. There are lots of different options you can choose from when it comes to dairy-free milk, including almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. If you prefer dairy milk, you can choose between raw milk or organic milk.

How to Make Starbucks Brown Sugar Boba

Making your own boba means you can enjoy this delicious drink any time without even having to leave the house! 

Other tasty tea options for boba

It is common for boba tea to be made with a sweet, milky tea base, but you can also make boba with any plain tea and no milk or sugar. While black tea is our go-to tea for making brown sugar boba, you can use many different types of tea to make boba drinks. Here are some of our Farmhouse favorites that will make a delicious base for boba tea. 

• High Desert Hibiscus: This bright red herbal tea combines sweet hibiscus flavor with a lemony, tropical twist.
• Kombucha Flavorings: You can use any of our kombucha flavorings, such as tropical mango or orange hibiscus, to make a perfectly flavorful and fizzy base for boba.
• Peach Green Tea: Our sencha green tea with a light peachy flavor is perfectly refreshing and earthy, and will taste delicious with boba pearls.

Brown Sugar Boba Frequently Asked Questions

How long do cooked boba pearls last?

If you are making your own tapioca pearls from scratch, you can keep them soft and chewy for a few hours. Let them sit at room temperature in a brown sugar syrup until you are ready to use them. Do not refrigerate or store overnight, as they will get hard and then mushy.

Can kids drink boba tea?

Yes, boba tea can be a treat for the whole family, including kids, but it’s important to be mindful of how much sugar and caffeine your little ones have access to. And of course, since boba is chewy, it should only be consumed by kids who are old enough to chew the boba pearls safely.

Do I need a big straw to drink boba?

We recommend getting a wide straw that is big enough for boba pearls to get through. If you aren’t able to get a wide straw, no problem. You can still enjoy brown sugar bubble tea and other boba teas by sipping carefully from a glass. 

Save Money Making Boba at Home

This brown sugar boba recipe is a healthier alternative to sugary Starbucks drinks. Once you start making your own boba at home, you won’t ever need to buy it in stores again. It can be a great summer project for kids.

If you love this copycat recipe and want to try boba tea with other flavors, be sure to check out our FREE Tea Steeping 101 Guide for some fun freebies and all our best brewing tips!

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