Today we bring you almond milk tea, a plant-based version of our favourite Asian drink. Have you been craving something sweet and creamy but are not a big fan of dairy? We've got you covered with this delicious drink.
Finding a suitable version of this sweet drink for those with lactose intolerance, vegans, or those trying to reduce dairy intake can be challenging. However, the nutty and lightly sweet flavour of the plant-based milk perfectly accompanies black tea's intense and slightly bitter taste. A match made in heaven, we say!
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What Is Almond Milk Tea Made Of?
Almond milk tea is made of almond milk, any black tea of your choice, and a sweetener or syrup to enhance the overall flavour and deliciousness.
We will show you the foundations of how to make this beverage. Then, you can play around with other variations, such as adding boba to spice things up a little. You can also use the plant-based alternative as a dairy replacement for similar recipes like our taro bubble tea, honeydew milk tea, and Thai iced tea.
What Does Almond Milk Tea Taste Like?
This summery drink has a floral and nutty undertone that balances with the robust bitterness of black brew. Because there is not much fat in the plant-based substitute compared to other dairy products, this beverage is slightly more watery. But it's okay. The slight creaminess makes this a healthier and lighter alternative.
Lastly, this beverage has the added benefit of being vegan because it is dairy-free.
Almond Milk Tea Calories
This beverage contains around 180 calories without any added sugar. However, the calories add up if you decide to include syrups or boba in your drink. The calorie count can go up to 280 to 350 calories.
Benefits
Is almond milk tea good to drink every day? Yes. This plant-based goodness contains relatively high Vitamin E. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent heart disease and eye disorders, improve cognitive function, and even protect against some cancers.
Additionally, this non-dairy alternative is suitable for those who are lactose intolerant and vegan or dairy-free. Furthermore, the catechins in tea are known to have antioxidant qualities.
And if you're wondering, does it contains any caffeine? We say the amount of caffeine in this beverage depends on the tea you use. Black, typically used in this recipe, has high amounts of caffeine. If you want to reduce it, try replacing it with a green or oolong variety.
Almond Milk Tea Ingredients
- Almond milk: We recommend using the unsweetened version since we will add sugar.
- Black tea: The black variety is the best one to use in this soothing drink. Our favourites are Assam and English Breakfast for their rich and robust flavours. However, you can substitute it with milder blends such as oolong or green.
- Sweetener: Use zero-calorie sweetener if you want to cut down some calories. Otherwise, use brown sugar for an earthy, caramel-like taste.
How To Make Almond Milk Tea Boba
You can make almond milk tea boba by combining almond milk, black tea, sugar and boba. Almond milk tea boba first gained popularity when the famous boba chain from Taiwan added almond bubble milk tea to their menu. You can make this sweet beverage by simply adding boba to the base drink, and voila!
We recommend using the store-bought boba if you want to whip this up quickly. But if you're going to make something from scratch, you can refer to our tapioca flour boba recipe. We also recommend using a bubble tea kit if you're in the mood for DIY without much hassle.
This version of the drink is very similar to the traditional, just less creamy and has a subtle nutty flavour. In addition, the chewy and bouncy boba balls bring extra delight to the drink.
The calories for the homemade version are around 300 to 350 compared to the king kung fu tea almond milk tea calories, which has about 450. So, this homemade version is more diet-friendly.
Almond Milk Tea Recipe (Hot or Iced with Boba)
Ingredients
- 350 ml unsweetened almond milk
Simple syrup
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 30 ml water
Base
- 2 bags black tea of your choice
- 1 cup water
Boba topping
- ¼ cup tapioca pearls
- 4 cups water (for boba)
Instructions
Sugar Syrup Preparation
- Add brown sugar and water into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until boiling, then reduce heat to low. Continue cooking for 4 minutes or until the liquid becomes thicker but still has a runny texture.
Boba Preparation
- Cook the boba according to the packaging instructions. Once it's done, add them to the hot sugar syrup and simmer on low heat for approximately 3 minutes.
Base Preparation
- Boil water, steep the tea bags and then cover. Remove them after 5 minutes or so and let them cool down.
Assembling
- For a regular hot cup of this soothing drink, pour the unsweetened milk into the hot tea and enjoy it immediately. For the cold version with boba, place the boba in a tall glass, and add 1 to 2 spoons of sugar syrup (if you want it sweeter). Next, repeat the process of pouring your drink over the boba. And finally, add ice cubes and drink!
Notes
Nutrition
Calories have been calculated using an online calculator. Nutritional information offered on Honest Food Talks is for general information purposes and are only rough estimations.
Variations to Try
Are you now addicted to the drink's pleasant, nutty flavour and a light creamy texture? Do you want more drinks made from this dairy-free alternative? You can experiment with other types of beverages by checking out the following recipes:
- Latte
- With Ginger
- With Turmeric
Want to impress your friends and family members with your culinary skills? Follow us on Instagram @honestfoodtalks for more exciting drinks and food recipes.
Next, check out our recipe on how to make rosehip milk tea! A fragrant and beautiful drink that pairs well with non-dairy milk ingredients too.
Claire
Great vegan boba if anyone wondering to give it a go or not 5/5