This jasmine tea jelly recipe is refreshing, healthy, and so easy to make. If you love milk tea drinks, lemonade, or refreshing sunny day beverages, you’re going to want to try this. The chewy, bouncy jelly is lightly floral, slightly sweet, and completely customizable. Jasmine jelly or tea jelly is incredibly simple and perfect for elevating your drinks at home into something from a café.
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I enjoy tea cafes…and recently was in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles as I frequently love to visit (the one on Sawtelle and in DTLA), and of course, had a jelly milk tea to go. I also love halo halo dessert with jellies that is on the same block, and the other bubble tea creation cafes that frankly, are so out of this universe with the craftsmanship of the tea quality, the array of jellies to choose from, the foam options, and the entire “tea-core” is super elevated.
Naturally, I realized I could save myself some money by not doing this all the time, and making the jasmine tea jelly at home and adding it to my to-go cup of milk tea, iced tea, or even coffee. Voila…tea cafe vibes right at home and without the drive or spending the money.
Made with just three ingredients—jasmine tea, gelatin, and a touch of honey or simple syrup—you’ll have a cooling, wobbly jasmine tea jelly that can be cut into cubes and enjoyed in any drink (or even eaten alone with a spoon!).
Why You’ll Love Jasmine Tea Jelly
- Minimal ingredients – only jasmine tea, gelatin, and a sweetener of choice.
- Customizable – adjust sweetness to your preference or even swap the tea base.
- Perfect for drinks – add chewy jelly cubes into milk tea, iced water, or coconut water. Tea jelly is very cooling and refreshing.
- Healthier alternative – naturally flavored with tea and lightly sweetened with honey.
Ingredients
- 4–5 jasmine tea bags (or 3 tablespoons loose-leaf jasmine tea)
- 2 ½ cups water (divided)
- 0.5 oz (about 5 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin powder
- 2–3 tablespoons honey or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
Equipment
- Percolator or kettle (for boiling water)
- Heatproof measuring cup or mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Glass container or jelly mold (for setting the jelly)
- Sharp knife (for cutting cubes)
Instructions
- Brew Strong Jasmine Tea
- Boil 1 cup of water and steep 4–5 jasmine tea bags for at least 15 minutes to create a strong concentrate.
- Let it cool completely in the refrigerator and remove the tea bags.
- Bloom the Gelatin
- In your jelly mold or container, sprinkle 0.5 oz gelatin powder and add half of the cooled jasmine tea (about ½ cup).
- Let it sit for 2 minutes so the gelatin can bloom.
- Dissolve the Gelatin
- Boil another 1 cup of water.
- Pour the hot water into the bloomed gelatin mixture and whisk until completely dissolved.
- Sweeten
- Stir in honey or sugar until dissolved (adjust based on how sweet you want your jelly).
- Combine & Set
- Add the remaining cooled jasmine tea. Mix well.
- Pour into your mold and refrigerate for 3–4 hours, or until fully set.
- Cut & Enjoy
- Once firm, cut the jelly into cubes and add them to your favorite drinks—or enjoy as is!
Step by Step How to Make Tea Jelly Images
Notes, Add-Ins & Variations
- Sweetener options – Swap honey for agave, maple syrup, or white sugar.
- Other teas – Try green tea, oolong, or chamomile for a different flavor of herbal tea jelly.
- Texture – For a firmer jelly, add more gelatin; for a softer bite, reduce the amount slightly. Add more jelly textures like perfectly cooked tapioca pearls, boba balls, or nata de coco to your beverages.
- Flavors – Add a splash of lemon juice, coconut milk, lychee juice, white grape juice, condensed milk, or vanilla extract for extra depth.
How to Serve Jasmine Tea Jelly
- Milk Tea – Add to jasmine milk tea or serve as a perfect chewy topping in bubble tea or milk tea drinks.
- Lemonade – Refreshing cubes in iced lemonade or jasmine iced tea for a floral twist.
- Coconut Water – Light, hydrating, and subtly sweet.
- As a Dessert – Eat chilled cubes on their own with a drizzle of honey or condensed milk.
Common Questions
Can I make jasmine tea jelly vegan?
Yes! Simply replace gelatin with agar-agar powder. Use 1 tablespoon agar powder for every 2 ½ cups liquid.
How long does tea jelly last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, jasmine jelly lasts up to 5 days.
Can I use flavored jasmine tea?
Absolutely. Jasmine green tea or even jasmine blends with fruit or herbs will all work beautifully. Any tea can work with this recipe.
This jasmine tea jelly recipe is a simple way to add a fun, floral, and refreshing element to your drinks at home. With just a few pantry staples, you’ll create a chewy, bouncy treat that’s customizable to your taste. Try it in milk tea, coconut water, or even sparkling drinks for an Asian tea café experience without leaving your kitchen.
Jasmine Tea Jelly
Equipment
- percolator or kettle (for boiling water)
- Heatproof measuring cup or mixing bowl
- whisk
- Glass container or jelly mold
- sharp knife for cutting cubes
Ingredients
- 4 jasmine tea bags or 3 tablespoons loose-leaf jasmine tea
- 2 ½ cups water divided
- 0.5 oz unflavored gelatin powder about 5 teaspoons
- 2 tablespoons honey or simple syrup adjust to taste
Instructions
Brew Strong Jasmine Tea
- Boil 1 cup of water and steep 4–5 jasmine tea bags for at least 15 minutes to create a strong concentrate.Let it cool completely in the refrigerator and remove the tea bags.4 jasmine tea bags, 2 ½ cups water
Bloom the Gelatin
- In your jelly mold or container, sprinkle 0.5 oz gelatin powder and add half of the cooled jasmine tea (about ½ cup).Let it sit for 2 minutes so the gelatin can bloom.0.5 oz unflavored gelatin powder
Dissolve the Gelatin
- Boil another 1 cup of water. Pour the hot water into the bloomed gelatin mixture and whisk until completely dissolved.
Sweeten
- Stir in honey or sugar until dissolved (adjust based on how sweet you want your jelly).2 tablespoons honey or simple syrup
Combine & Set
- Add the remaining cooled jasmine tea. Mix well.Pour into your mold and refrigerate for 2–4 hours, or until fully set.
Cut & Enjoy
- Once firm, cut the jelly into cubes and add them to your favorite drinks—or enjoy as is!
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