Jasmine Milk Tea

Before you start

Jasmine milk tea combines jasmine-scented green tea with milk and a little sweetener. It is lighter and more floral than black milk tea, and the jasmine aroma should still come through after milk is added. That makes it a favorite in tea shops, often with boba or cheese foam.

The main risk is bitterness. Green tea becomes harsh if the water is too hot or the leaves steep too long, and milk does not fully hide that. Use water at about 80°C (175°F), steep 3 minutes, and brew a little stronger than for plain tea. For the smoothest result, cold brew the tea overnight; cold water extracts fewer bitter compounds.

Ingredients

• 6 g (1 tbsp) jasmine green tea — loose leaf or pearls
• 250 ml (1 cup) water — at about 80°C (175°F)
• 80 ml (⅓ cup) whole milk or oat milk
• 20 ml (4 tsp) simple syrup or honey syrup
• 1 cup ice cubes

Method

1. Heat the water to about 80°C (175°F). Without a thermometer, boil it and let it stand about 4 minutes.
2. Steep the jasmine tea for 3 minutes. Strain without pressing the leaves.
3. Let the tea cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, or cool it in a bowl of ice water.
4. Pour 180 ml of the tea into the shaker. Add the milk, syrup and a handful of ice, then shake for 10 seconds.
5. Pour into a tall glass with fresh ice. Taste and add a little more syrup if needed.

Tips for success

• Jasmine pearls, rolled leaves scented with jasmine blossoms, give a cleaner and sweeter cup than broken tea bags.
• For cold brew, steep 8 g of tea in 400 ml cold water in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours, then strain. It is very smooth and needs less sugar.
• Honey syrup suits jasmine well and adds a floral note.

Substitutions

Jasmine green tea

Jasmine oolong is rounder and less likely to turn bitter. Plain green tea without jasmine makes a grassier drink.

Whole milk

Oat milk complements jasmine well. Coconut milk is rich but may cover the floral notes.

Simple syrup

Agave syrup is neutral and dissolves easily in cold tea. Condensed milk makes a richer, sweeter drink.

Variations

Jasmine milk tea with cheese foam

Top the drink with salted cream cheese foam and serve without a straw.

Hot jasmine milk tea

Steep the tea, then add warm milk and honey; skip the ice.

Troubleshooting

The tea is bitter

Cool the water to 80°C (175°F), steep no more than 3 minutes, or switch to cold brew.

The jasmine aroma is weak

Use fresher tea and brew it a little stronger. Jasmine scent fades if tea is old or stored open.

It tastes watery

Shaking with too much ice dilutes the drink. Use cooled tea and a moderate handful of ice.

Storage

Serve the drink right away. Brewed jasmine tea without milk keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Do not leave milky tea out for more than 2 hours.

Safety notes

Green tea contains caffeine, usually less than black tea or coffee. The FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults.