Boba flavors are getting more creative by the day. It can be pretty overwhelming looking at the menu in your local tapioca drink shop. However, there are so many bubble tea flavors and so many possible boba topping combinations that you can enjoy in this moreish beverage. Wave goodbye to artisanal coffee, hot chocolate, and smoothies, and get ready to explore the ever-growing world of bubble tea flavors.
Find out everything you need to know about the enjoyable beverage here and determine the version that suits your preferences. Let us present you with 17 boba flavors ranked from the "worst" boba flavor to the best. However, note that the worst is not necessarily terrible, as these drinks are ranked based on general preferences.
So, if you're new to this or just seeking something new, continue reading for some of the best boba flavors to try!
Jump to:
- List of Best Boba Tea Flavors Ranked
- Coffee Boba
- Strawberry Milk Tea
- Lychee
- Mango
- Pineapple Milk Tea
- Rose Milk Tea
- Jasmine
- Oolong
- Cheese Foam
- Honeydew
- Wintermelon Milk Tea
- Honey Milk Tea
- Thai Tea Boba
- Brown Sugar Milk Tea
- Matcha Milk Tea
- Taro Boba
- Classic Milk Tea
- Extensive List of Bubble Tea Flavors
List of Best Boba Tea Flavors Ranked
Among the most popular boba flavors, the top 3 are taro, matcha, and classic milk tea. Taro bubble drink tastes as pleasant as its aesthetic appeal. Meanwhile, everything matcha is a nutritious delight, and you can never go wrong with classics. These boba flavors ranked high because they're also easy to make with one of these best bubble tea kits!
- Coffee Boba
- Strawberry Milk Tea
- Lychee
- Mango
- Pineapple Milk Tea
- Rose Milk Tea
- Jasmine
- Oolong
- Cheese Foam
- Honeydew
- Wintermelon Milk Tea
- Honey Milk Tea
- Thai Tea Boba
- Brown Sugar Milk Tea
- Matcha Milk Tea
- Taro Boba
- Classic Milk Tea
Coffee Boba
Can't decide whether you want coffee or tea? Then, this concoction of the two café staples is made just for you. It offers the best of both worlds, complemented by the sweet and chewy tapioca pearls. This caffeinated beverage combines the rich and bold taste of coffee with creamy milk tea while giving you a caffeine boost. The exciting mix of two distinct ingredients makes the beverage stand out among many other unique bubble tea flavors.
The taste of coffee can range from strong and bitter to creamy and milky. It all depends on the type of coffee and milk used to prepare the beverage. With that in mind, different shops may offer different experiences with this coffee pearl drink.
If you want to avoid spending too much on something you might not enjoy, try our coffee boba recipe first. You can modify its sweetness with additional sweeteners like caramel syrup, honey, and sugar.
This indulgent drink has been hitting every cafe and shop worldwide. Perhaps the idea of combining the world's two favorite drinks makes it one of the most popular boba flavors. But we think it can be the worst boba flavor at times because it can be a bit over the top if too much coffee is added.
Unless you're seeking a caffeine boost, you might find the drink too strong and caffeinated. You shouldn't have it daily, due to the caffeine content and bubble tea calories. However, this variation is for you if you're looking for something different than your go-to coffee. Also, try our Starbucks boba recipe.
Strawberry Milk Tea
This pretty pink beverage surely ranks high in aesthetics and garners ton of social media likes. It is one of the most popular bubble tea flavors among the younger generations because of its ability to look great in photos.
However, it might not be everyone's cup of tea. It may be a sweet tooth's ultimate favorite, but less impressive to those who don't prefer a sweet drink.
Despite this, it can be a healthier alternative to other boba drink flavors if you cut down on the additional sweeteners. Plus, we don't recommend adding sweeteners as it can make the final product too sweet. Watch the amount of milk you put in as well since it can make the drink too milky. We recommend getting this with less sugar at your local boba shop.
Our main problem with this one is that some shops will serve you something that tastes a lot like strawberry milk, while some like a sweet strawberry smoothie. Quite hard to nail down a good find if you ask us. If these are not what you like, other good boba tea flavors are more worth splurging on.
You can also try making it at home with our strawberry milk tea boba recipe instead. Overall, it is a pretty drink and will definitely be a good choice if you enjoy sweetness.
Lychee
Lychee bubble drink is a good choice if you love a refreshing fruity tang. The sweet and floral taste of lychee makes it an ideal beverage to fight the heat on sunny days. The ingredients that make up the drink do not contradict each other and offer just the right dose of sweetness. Besides being light and subtle in taste, the drink also gives a pleasant aroma.
It is one of the best boba flavors for beginners we would recommend due to its tameness and simplicity. Those who want to play it safe will like it the way it is. But those who crave something more daring might find it a bit boring.
Luckily, the subtle taste of lychee allows room for more creativity and add-ons. Therefore, a decent amount of syrup or sweeteners will maintain the pleasantness of the drink. Additional ingredients such as ai yu jelly and popping boba can make it more exciting. In our opinion, lychee makes one of the best popping boba flavors.
Mango
Mango tapioca drink earns a spot among the most popular boba flavors for a reason. It is not as bland as lychee yet not too heavy as other options. Moreover, it falls within the category of the best boba flavors for beginners. This bright and rejuvenating beverage does not really taste like a bubble drink. Therefore, we think it’s ideal for those trying to jump on the boba bandwagon but prefers something other than tea.
Thanks to its tropical taste, this sweet and fruity beverage often reminds us of summertime. Whether you're out in the sun or chilling at home, it is a relaxing beverage to enjoy. If you're making it on your own, try adding popping pearls to your mango boba recipe. It will make enjoying the fruity mix more fun.
Overall, the mango pearl drink is delicious and refreshing and makes a pretty Instagram post. While it is something we can't resist on a warm and sunny day, there are better options than this if you want the real boba experience.
It lacks the rich and creamy texture that most bubble teas possess and leans more toward being a smoothie. We recommend trying other variations if you want your drink more smooth and milky.
Pineapple Milk Tea
The pineapple bubble drink is meant for those seeking a sweet and sour take on the classic pearly beverage. It tastes just like pineapple juice mixed with milk, but its base is actually black tea. Despite that, the bitter taste is balanced with the sweetness and tanginess of the pineapple chunks or syrup. Adding milk enhances the texture, making the fruity mix more indulgent and smoothie-like.
The pronounced taste and pleasant smell make it one of the best bubble tea flavors. The sweet-smelling fruit and aromatic tea leaves create a calming scent that enhances the drinking experience.
Therefore, we recommend this to those who'd like some rejuvenation in a cup. In addition, the beverage's tropical hints are quite strong, which can be addictive to pineapple fans like us.
Rose Milk Tea
Rose pearl drink is one of the many unique bubble tea flavors. Its delicate profile pairs beautifully with the creaminess of the milk, creating a smooth and fragrant concoction. This is a great choice if you're looking for one that can impress the internet and your tastebuds. The rosy beverage is pretty and tasty, making it one of the best boba flavors to try!
Not all rose bubble drinks are created equal. Therefore, your taste buds may be tickled with a subtle floral taste or something stronger and more fragrant. It all depends on where you get your rosy bubble drink from. Despite the availability of the ingredients that make the drink, it is still a rare mix among most boba shops. So getting your sudden cravings for it fixed at any local bubble drink shop may not be possible.
No worries, though. We've got you covered with the loveliest rose milk tea recipe. This beautiful and fragrant beverage can be easily made with rosebuds or instant rose syrup. Regardless of your preferences, this rich floral drink never disappoints. It is perfect for days when you need an instant pick-me-up or something creamy yet refreshing.
Jasmine
Typically made with jasmine tea leaves and creamer, the Jasmine tapioca drink is a best-seller of many pearl drink chains. Interestingly, it is one of the first flower teas used to create variations of the iconic Taiwanese beverage. And with its sweet floral aroma and richness, no wonder it is among the popular bubble tea flavors.
This soothing drink offers a light floral taste and a rich and creamy consistency. The ones made with creamer tend to be sweeter. On the other hand, using regular milk gives a less sweet result. Unless you're sensitive to the sweetness level, both versions offer a wonderful boba experience, even for beginners.
The sweetness from the creamer and chewy tapioca pearls is usually enough to sweeten anyone's day. Unlike other famous drink options, it is perfect for beginners who want to enjoy the beverage without extra sweeteners. However, add-ons like honey and caramel syrup can satisfy your sweet tooth. Sweeteners can make or break the deal for some, but we can guarantee Jasmine pearl drink works perfectly with them.
Due to its popularity, this variation is one of the milk tea boba flavors you can find almost everywhere. You can enjoy it even when you're too lazy to go out with this easy Jasmine milk tea recipe.
Oolong
Oolong pearl drink is also a part of the most popular boba tea flavors for its unique taste.
It combines the fragrant and subtle bitterness of oolong with the sweetness of the milk. And what attracts us more is the distinctly floral and earthy aroma, with notes of caramel and honey. Simple yet creamy and delectable, it stands amongst the boba tea flavors to try.
This best-selling Taiwanese drink is ideal whenever you need a pick-me-up or something less strong than coffee. The refreshment is also among the best boba flavors for beginners because you can easily find it everywhere. Alternatively, you can whip it up effortlessly in under 10 minutes with an easy oolong milk tea recipe.
Cheese Foam
Cheese foam pearl drink is a relatively new and innovative take on the classic Taiwanese beverage. It adds a layer of frothy, thick cheese foam, usually made from milk, cream cheese, and sugar as a topping. This unique addition makes it one of many distinctive boba tea flavors to try. We highly recommend this cheesy cuppa if you're up for something more than just milk tea and pearls.
Something cheesy in your drink may be questionable to some, but surprisingly, this topping will enhance your boba experience. Cheese-foamed bubble drinks are often refreshing and offer a satisfying texture unlike any other beverage. We love how the foam almost tastes like cheesecake and turns the drink into a literal dessert in a cup.
We recommend getting your cheese-foamed boba beverage from shops specializing in making such drinks for the best experience. You can also make it with our easy cheese foam recipe. However, this concoction might not impress those who aren't fans of cheese in the first place. Hence, we suggest trying different boba flavors if you dislike having hints of cheesiness and saltiness in your beverage.
Honeydew
If you're seeking a refreshing and light Instagram-worthy beverage, this is it. Honeydew rarely stands out on fruit plates, but it gets to be the main character in the bubble drink industry. It is among the best boba flavors for beginners thanks to its delicate taste and creamy consistency.
The subtle taste of the fruit pairs well with green tea, milk, and the sweet chewy tapioca pearls. Together, they make an immaculate mixture of mildly sweet, smooth, and rich thirst-quencher.
You'll either love or dislike the honeydew pearl drink, depending on your preferences. It is not as strong and sweet as other fruity tapioca varieties. Instead, the honeydew flavor perfectly balances fruity and creamy, offering a better tapioca experience.
Therefore, this aesthetically pleasing refreshment is among the best boba flavors to try if you want a light and fruity mix.
Besides that, it is also a must-try for those who prefer less sweet stuff or have a lower tolerance for sugar. Nonetheless, sweet tooths may enjoy this drink with extra sweetener. Otherwise, we recommend skipping this one.
Wintermelon Milk Tea
Winter melon is a Chinese gourd with a slightly grassy taste but becomes sweet when caramelized. If you've never tried or encountered it before, consider it the sweeter version of cucumbers. You might think this would create an odd and funny-tasting beverage. However, winter melon actually makes one of the best bubble tea flavor combinations.
You should go for this if you're feeling adventurous and seeking something oddly rich, sweet, and refreshing. It is like drinking cucumber water sweetened with vanilla syrup, but it's also not quite like that. We're afraid that no word can perfectly describe its taste, so you must try it yourself. And maybe you will finally understand why it ranks high in our list of best boba milk tea flavors. Who knows, one sip could make you a fan like us.
It also earns a spot as one of the best boba flavors for beginners because this flavor is widely available. However, you can skip searching far and wide to taste this nutritious tapioca pearl drink. You can easily prepare it with our simple winter melon milk tea recipe.
Honey Milk Tea
If a comforting cup of drink is what you're looking for, then look no further. Honey pearl drink is a soothing and heavenly treat you can enjoy anytime. It combines rich and fragrant tea with the natural sweetness of honey, resulting in a heavenly drink.
This soothing concoction falls within the best boba flavors for beginners since it is a no-hassle drink. You can prepare it at home using our quick honey boba milk tea recipe and modify it according to preference. It can be served hot or cold.
However, we highly suggest enjoying the honey bubble drink with some ice for a more refreshing feel. But either way, this honeyed mix will surely please your cravings for a sweet and creamy quencher.
Thai Tea Boba
Out of all boba drink flavors, thai tea boba is the one you should try at least once. Just like the name suggests, the beverage originates from Thailand. It is recognizable by its creamy orange tint and favored by many for its sweet and refreshing taste.
Thai tea is often infused with a medley of spices like star anise and cardamom. Therefore, you can expect to be thrilled by a distinct burst of flavors and silky smooth creaminess from the milk.
Thai restaurants usually serve this beverage without tapioca pearls since it is already delicious. But the immense love for the drink has birthed one of the best boba milk tea flavors ever. So, we highly recommend elevating your 'cha' game by drinking it with those soft and tasty pearls. Plus, its sweetness only comes from the pearls, condensed milk, and the mix of spices, so it doesn't feel too artificial.
Brown Sugar Milk Tea
A few years ago, brown sugar was only known as a healthier alternative to regular sugar. But in 2017, it became the key ingredient to one of the most popular boba tea flavors.
It's all thanks to Tiger Sugar, a bubble drink chain that popularized the flavor in Taiwan and internationally. Since then, the beverage has become a cultural phenomenon in many parts of the world.
The drink is prepared using three main ingredients, namely caramelized, tapioca pearls, and milk. The simplicity of the brown sugar milk tea recipe allows people to recreate the famous drink at home. Our favorite is to add in coconut jelly.
It was the first flavor to start the trend of DIY bubble drink kits. Now, you can also find the same for different boba flavors. It is among the best boba flavors for beginners because you can only be a boba connoisseur if you have tasted all of the icons!
This iconic Taiwanese beverage is heavier than other good boba flavors, and it is undeniably sweet as well. However, it doesn't give the overwhelming sugary taste like others. The caramelized brown sugar syrup tastes better and purer than the sweeteners in other popular bubble tea flavors.
Matcha Milk Tea
Matcha pearl drink is one of the best bubble tea flavors if you want a healthier alternative to the most popular boba tea flavors. It sits among the best bubble tea flavors for the right reasons.
Firstly, it is packed with all the good stuff, like antioxidants and amino acids, which provide many health benefits. Secondly, it is a photogenic beverage with a pleasing vibrant green appearance. Lastly, it is a divine drink.
Not all bold-flavored drinks are ideal for regular consumption. However, the lack of subtlety from this healthy bubble beverage somehow makes it so addictive. The refreshing taste of bittersweet matcha and a rich, creamy profile provides a smooth and enjoyable experience. Truly, this concoction of matcha powder, milk, and tapioca pearls is another one of the best bubble tea flavor combinations.
If you enjoy matcha, this should be on your list of boba tea flavors to try. If you dislike matcha but still want to try it, we recommend our matcha milk tea recipe. Making it on your own will allow you to discover the depth of matcha that works best for you. This combination has birthed many matcha fans and turned haters into lovers. Ultimately, the way it instantly charms people makes it one of the best boba flavors for beginners.
Taro Boba
Not many vegetables can pass as a delicious drink, but this and ube milk tea nails it, and we are such big fans. Taro pearl drink is a delicious and filling combination of taro paste or powder, milk, ice, and tapioca pearl.
Whether you're a connoisseur or a newcomer to the world of bubble drinks, you should add this one to the list. It is worth splurging on, especially if you like to sip on things that don't require extra sweeteners to satisfy your sugar cravings.
This lilac drink is among the best boba flavors to try for aesthetics and taste. Taro is a subtle ingredient with a slight sweetness, but it contributes the perfect amount of flavor.
Its light and nutty taste also perfectly matches the creamy texture of milk and chewy tapioca pearls. It is not a complicated beverage that requires additional sweeteners or flavorings to make it perfect. So, we consider it one of the best boba flavors for beginners.
It is among the boba flavors ranked the highest, but unlike most variations, it is only available in a few shops. However, with our taro milk tea recipe, you can have it anywhere and anytime.
Classic Milk Tea
There is a popular saying that you can't outdo the doer, and of course, nothing beats a cup of classic milk tea. It is the best of all boba flavors available at every bubble drink shop. Something about the way the Taiwanese drink is in its most basic form makes it a timeless thirst quencher. This may be why they say simplicity is the best.
Among hundreds of best boba flavors to try, this is the best option for a beginner. Mainly because it is simple enough, making it the safest choice you can go for as a first-timer. This fun beverage is a mix of black tea, milk, and sugar. You can even make it yourself, as the boba tea recipe is fairly simple. Plus, why not start your boba adventure with the original trendsetter?
It is also a part of the best boba flavors for beginners due to its versatility. Black tea itself has a rich and robust flavor, making it a bold base for other flavors to build upon. Mixing it with milk and sugar balances the bitterness to create an indulgent creamy beverage. You can incorporate other toppings like grass jelly and caramel syrup besides those sweetened tapioca pearls.
Extensive List of Bubble Tea Flavors
Bubble tea originated in Taiwan, but the drink grew more and more popular internationally. Now, the Taiwanese beverage has a cult following across the globe.
The demand for this drink across the globe has increased, especially in the United States. The global bubble tea market is estimated to reach $4.3 billion by 2027, growing a CAGR of 7.8% from 2020 to 2027. In addition, the market players introduce new boba flavors almost every day to maintain their foothold.
Other than the base, the taste of the beverage snack can also come from the flavoring in the form of powder, syrup, fruit juice, or puree. Also, you can add additional sugar or honey to increase the drink's sweetness.
The list of boba flavors is endless. You will often find that most specialist stores will offer bubble tea flavors that are unique to them.
For example, Bubbleology in the UK makes signature drinks inspired by cocktails such as pina colada and Bailey's cream. Meanwhile, The Whale Tea makes its own signature blue crystal drinks.
Here is a list of over 90 boba flavors that we found across popular franchises.
Milk Tea
- Assam
- Brown Sugar
- Chai
- Earl Grey
- Genmaicha
- Hong Kong Milk Tea
- Jasmine
- Jasmine Green
- Matcha
- Milk Coffee
- Oat Milk
- Peppermint
- Puer
- Roasted Oolong
- Rooibos
- Thai Milk Tea
- Vanilla Chai
- White Almond
- Taro
- Caramel
- Vanilla
- Okinawa
- Hokkaido
Black Tea
- Assam
- Lychee Black
- Lemon
- Rose Tea
- Matcha
- Osmanthus
- Lychee Lime
- Jasmine
- Mango Lime
- Lychee Green
- Green Tea Yakult
- Honey
Fruit Tea
- Apple
- Avocado
- Banana
- Pineapple Coconut Water
- Pomegranate
- Coconut
- Grapefruit Tea
- Honey Aloe
- Mango
- Passion Fruit
- Honeydew
- Peachberry
- Kiwi
- Lychee
- Lychee Coconut Water
- Passion Fruit & Cucumber
- Calamansi
- Raspberry
- Pomegranate & Lychee
- Cantaloupe
- Strawberry
- Pure Coconut Water
- Strawberry & Mint Fizz
- White Peach
- Winter Melon
- Winter Melon Lemon
- Yuzu
- Mango Yakult
- Grapefruit Yakult
- Lemon Yakult
Fresh Milk
- Rose Milk
- Strawberry Milk
- Taro Milk
- Honeydew Melon Milk
- Wintermelon Milk
- Mango Milk
Smoothie/Milkshakes
- Caramel Frappe
- Red Bean Milkshake
- Strawberries & Cream
- Chocolate
- Strawberry Milkshake
- Banoffee Pie
- Chocolate Smoothie
- Creme Brulee
- Chocolate Milk
- Oreo Crush
- Milo
- Nutella
- Matcha Avocado
- Taro Milkshake
- Vanilla
- Tiramisu
Salted Cream
- Green
- Black
- Matcha
- Earl Grey
- Oolong
Share your favorite bubble drink flavor with us @honestfoodtalks, and join us for more delicious content!