Make this jasmine milk tea recipe at home and you’ll have no need to hit a café and spend that money when you can have jasmine milk tea that tastes just as fancy as your favorite tea house—think Alfred, Gong Cha, or the most chic tea spots in town. With a fragrant aroma, delicate floral notes, and creamy richness, jasmine milk tea is refreshing, Instagram-worthy, and super simple to make. Plus, you can enjoy it hot or cold, and it’s perfect for on-the-go sipping.
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One of my favorite things to do is visit Little Tokyo in my city and go tea house hopping. Yep! Just perusing the best tea and bubble tea shops and enjoying some pastries and good company (usually my kids!). However, that can add up quickly!
So, making jasmine milk tea at home is a no-brainer. I actually love the versatility of this Asian drink recipe because it is simple to adjust the sweetness, type of milk or plant milk, and make it with various jellies or added flavors.
I have some really cool to-go cups that make it feel like I just left the tea house, and voila…a to-go cup of jasmine milk tea, and my morning is already off to a great start.
What is Jasmine Milk Tea?
Jasmine milk tea is a delicate, fragrant, floral tea infused with jasmine flowers or jasmine-scented green tea leaves.
It’s combined with milk or milk alternatives to create a smooth, creamy drink that balances floral notes with a slight sweetness. It’s often offered with jellies or boba options if you like, and if you are lucky enough, having it with Hokkaido milk makes it especially creamy and milky tasting.
The flavor is subtly sweet, floral, and comforting—a perfect pick-me-up for any time of day.
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 2 tbsp jasmine tea leaves – provides fragrant floral flavor; choose high-quality loose-leaf jasmine tea for best results and steep it bold and strong.
- 2 cups hot water (not boiling, around 175°F/80°C) – preserves delicate jasmine aroma
Sweetener
- 3 tsp brown sugar, honey, or agave syrup – enhances flavor while keeping it delicate; adjust to taste
- Optional vegan substitute: maple syrup or agave
- Optional add-ins: molasses sugar syrup for rich caramel notes
Milk
- 1 cup milk or milk alternative – creaminess for the tea; Hokkaido milk, whole milk, oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk all work well.
- 1 tbsp half and half – to boost creaminess; use vegan sub if preferred
- Optional vegan versions: oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk
Ice (if serving cold)
- ½–1 cup ice cubes – for a refreshing iced jasmine milk tea
Optional Add-ins
- Jasmine tea jelly – for texture and to enhance the jasmine’s unique floral experience
- Tapioca pearls – chewy and bouncy texture
- boba balls – for a classic bubble tea twist
- Vanilla Extract – a dash will bring on some creamy vanilla flavor
- Cinnamon or nutmeg sprinkle – adds warmth
Tools You’ll Need
- Teapot or small saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer or tea infuser
- Glasses or reusable cups for serving
Instructions
Brew the Jasmine Tea
- Heat water to 175°F (80°C). Avoid boiling water—it can make jasmine tea bitter.
- Add jasmine tea leaves to the hot water with a tea infuser or tea bags.
- Steep for 5 minutes. Adjust steeping time depending on how strong you want the flavor. Be sure it is bold enough to taste the flavor when milk is added.
- Strain the tea leaves and transfer the tea to a cup.
Sweeten the Tea
- While the tea is still warm, stir in your choice of sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave) and a pinch of spice if you like. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
Add Milk
- Pour milk or milk alternative (hot or cold) and a little half and half into the sweetened tea. Stir gently to combine. Add ice if you are having iced jasmine milk tea.
- Finally, add jasmine tea jelly, homemade boba, or other jelly and chewy textures to boost your jasmine milk tea recipe. (optional)
Best Success Tips
- Use high-quality jasmine tea leaves—the aroma makes all the difference.
- Avoid boiling water, which can make tea bitter.
- Make it bold: 5 minutes is ideal for a balanced flavor.
- For creamy texture, try slightly warming the milk before adding it.
- Taste as you go—adjust sweetness to your preference.
Add-ins and Variations
- Classic Boba: Cook tapioca pearls or homemade boba balls separately and add to the glass for a bubble tea version.
- Jasmine Tea Jelly: Cut into cubes and layer in the drink for extra texture.
- Flavored Twist: Add a drop of vanilla, rose syrup, or lavender syrup for a café-style flavor.
- Vegan Creamy Version: Use oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk for a plant-based treat.
- Layered Tea: Chill the tea first, then pour milk slowly over ice for a layered effect and add brown sugar syrup along the rim of the glass, perfect for photos.
How to Serve
- Hot: In a mug, optionally with whipped cream.
- Cold: Over ice in a tall glass or reusable cup with boba straws. Add tapioca pearls or jasmine tea jelly for a bubble tea experience.
- To-go: Use a reusable travel cup for coffee shop vibes at home.
Common Questions
Can I use tea bags instead of loose leaves?
Yes, but loose-leaf jasmine tea offers a fresher aroma and fuller flavor.
Can I make it ahead of time?
You can batch brew the tea and refrigerate it, then add milk and ice just before serving.
What’s the best milk alternative for creaminess?
Oat milk is best for creaminess and froth, while almond and soy are slightly lighter.
How sweet should it be?
Start with 1–2 tsp of sweetener per cup of tea and adjust to taste.
Can I use cold brew jasmine tea?
Absolutely! Steep jasmine tea in cold water for 8 hours, then add milk and sweetener for an easy cold brewed version.
How do I add brown sugar syrup or jasmine tea jelly?
Brown sugar syrup can be added directly while the tea is warm or as a layer along the cup when iced. Jasmine tea jelly should be cut into cubes and layered at the bottom of the glass before pouring milk tea over.
Jasmine Milk Tea Recipe
Equipment
- Teapot or small saucepan
- Tea infuser or strainer; tea bags
- Glasses or reusable cups for serving
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 2 tbsp jasmine tea leaves loose leaf or tea bag
- 2 cups hot water not boiling
Sweetener
- 3 tsp brown sugar honey, molasses sugar syrup, maple syrup, or agave syrup
Milk
- 1 cup milk of choice whole milk, oat milk, soy milk, Hokkaido milk, or almond milk
- 1 tbsp half and half
- Ice if serving cold
Optional Add-ins
- Jasmine tea jelly
- Tapioca pearls
- boba balls
- Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon or nutmeg sprinkle
Instructions
Brew the Jasmine Tea
- Heat water to 175°F (80°C). Avoid boiling water—it can make jasmine tea bitter.Add jasmine tea leaves to the hot water with a tea infuser or tea bags.Steep for 5 minutes. Adjust steeping time depending on how strong you want the flavor. Be sure it is bold enough to taste the flavor when milk is added.2 tbsp jasmine tea leaves, 2 cups hot water
- Strain the tea leaves and transfer the tea to a cup.
Sweeten the Tea
- While the tea is still warm, stir in your choice of sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave) and a pinch of spice if you like. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.3 tsp brown sugar
Add Milk and Finish
- Pour milk or milk alternative (hot or cold) and a little half and half into the sweetened tea. Stir gently to combine. Add ice if you are having iced jasmine milk tea.1 cup milk of choice, 1 tbsp half and half, Ice
- Finally, add jasmine tea jelly, homemade boba, or other jelly and chewy textures to boost your jasmine milk tea recipe. (optional)Jasmine tea jelly, Tapioca pearls, boba balls, Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon or nutmeg sprinkle
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