Japanese Milk Tea Recipe

A mug of japanese milk tea with flowers next to it.

5 from 1 vote

Japanese Milk Tea or Japanese Royal Milk Tea is a creamy blend of sugar, milk, water and black tea. It’s a popular Japanese drink that pairs perfectly with a number of snacks and would be an excellent choice to serve at any tea time!

Course Drinks

Cuisine Japanese

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Servings

Calories 89kcal

Author Alexandria Drzazgowski

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 tbsp Darjeeling tea leaves loose
1 cup milk
2 tsp granulated sugar more or less to taste

Instructions

Fill 2 tea cups with the hottest water from your tap. This will keep the cup warm until you are ready to put the tea in it.
Add the 1 cup water into a small saucepan over high heat. Heat until it comes to a boil.
Add 1 tbsp tea leaves into the water and boil for 2 minutes.
Add 1 cup milk into the tea and reduce the heat to medium. Heat the milk, stirring occasionally, until it just barely comes to a simmer. Do not allow the milk to boil.
Pour the Royal Milk Tea through a fine mesh strainer or tea strainer, removing all of the loose tea leaves.
Once strained, pour the hot water out of your tea cups. Then divide the tea amongst two warmed tea cups.
Flavor with 2 tsp granulated sugar if desired! Enjoy!

Notes

Loose Darjeeling Tea Leaves: You can find Darjeeling leaves online. You can also purchase bags if you prefer.
Milk: Typically this tea is made with whole milk. You could substitute any milk you’d like, but it may make for a less silky texture. Try it with oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk to change it up!
Granulated Sugar: You may use more or less sugar than the recipe calls for or use any sweetener you have on hand, but I wouldn’t skip it entirely. This tea is meant to be sweet.
You can use any sweetener, but it will change the flavor of the tea. Honey gives the tea a rich flavor.
Be careful not to let your milk and water come to a boil. This will affect the flavor of the tea leaves and your delicious tea.

Nutrition