Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea Recipe
If you love vibrant drinks that are as gorgeous as they are delicious, then Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea deserves a spot at the very top of your must-try list. This magical drink pairs chewy, sweet tapioca balls with a creamy, subtly earthy purple sweet potato blend, all layered in a glass that’s pure Instagram gold. The surprise, though, goes beyond its color—there’s a unique gentle sweetness and rich, smooth mouthfeel in every sip. Whether you’re a bubble tea newbie or seasoned boba connoisseur, Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea really is something special and worth making right at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps it simple, but each ingredient plays its own role in making your Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea truly sing. From beautiful color to irresistible texture, here’s how everything comes together to make this treat unforgettable.
- Water: The base for both cooking boba and blending your drink—don’t underestimate its role in the final texture!
- Tapioca balls: These chewy bites are the soul of any bubble tea, offering that beloved “popping” sensation.
- Brown sugar: Adds a caramel-like depth and sweetness, infusing your boba with warmth and balancing the earthy flavors of the sweet potato.
- Milk: Gives creaminess to the drink—go full fat for richness, or try oat or soy milk for a vegan spin.
- Purple sweet potato powder: The secret behind the vibrant color and gentle, nutty flavor. Make sure you use a high-quality powder for the most beautiful and tasty results.
- Ice: Essential for that cool, refreshing finish—don’t skip it if you want an authentic bubble tea shop experience!
How to Make Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea
Step 1: Cook the Tapioca Balls
Start by boiling three-quarters of a cup of water with your brown sugar in a small saucepan. Once the mixture is bubbling away energetically, it’s time to add those glorious tapioca balls. Let the whole thing boil together on medium-high heat for about eight minutes, giving occasional stirs so nothing sticks. Once done, simply turn off the heat and allow the pearls to cool just enough to be warm and bouncy—never too hot to touch, but still delightfully soft.
Step 2: Shake Up Your Purple Sweet Potato Milk Tea
This is where the magic happens: in your trusty cocktail shaker, toss in a cup of ice, a third cup of fresh water, and your favorite milk. Right before you shake, sprinkle in your purple sweet potato powder (this little trick keeps the powder from clumping). Shake enthusiastically about fifteen times—imagine you’re a mixologist in a trendy boba bar! This gets everything beautifully frothy and evenly blended, with that signature pastel purple color.
Step 3: Assemble Your Bubble Tea
Now assemble your masterpiece: scoop the warm, syrup-drenched tapioca balls into the bottom of your favorite tall glass. Pour the purple sweet potato milk tea right on top, marveling as the colors swirl together. Serve immediately with an extra-wide straw, and don’t be shy—a vigorous stir before sipping helps mix those gorgeous purple hues!
How to Serve Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea
Garnishes
Add a little extra flair! Top with a swirl of whipped cream, a dusting of extra purple sweet potato powder, or even a sprinkle of toasted coconut. Not only do these touches look beautiful, but they also play off the natural sweetness and offer extra texture.
Side Dishes
Pair your Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea with light, crunchy treats like coconut biscuits, sesame cookies, or a gently sweet pastry. The creamy, earthy drink balances especially well with anything crispy or wafer-like on the side, perfect for an afternoon snack or an indulgent brunch centerpiece.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your bubble tea layered in glass jars or mason cups for a rustic charm, or pour it into clear wine glasses for a grown-up twist. For parties, line up small shooter glasses with mini bobas and petite straws—guaranteed to impress both kids and adults!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
While Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea is best sipped fresh, you can store the assembled drink (minus the ice) for up to 24 hours in the fridge. Keep the boba separate in its syrup to maintain maximum chewiness, then combine everything when ready to serve.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t ideal for the tapioca pearls—they can get oddly rubbery! However, you can freeze the purple sweet potato milk mixture in advance and thaw overnight in the fridge. Just remember to cook your boba fresh when serving for the best, most authentic texture.
Reheating
If your boba pearls have cooled and hardened, simply rewarm them gently in a bit of leftover syrup over low heat until they’re soft and glossy again. Never microwave the assembled drink, as this can melt the ice and ruin that frothy texture you worked so hard to create!
FAQs
Can I use fresh purple sweet potatoes instead of powder?
Absolutely! Just roast or steam the potatoes until tender, then purée until totally smooth with a splash of milk. Use about a quarter cup of purée for every two tablespoons of powder. The flavor is even more earthy and real, and the color is just as amazing!
Is Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea gluten free?
Yes, if you use gluten-free tapioca pearls and ensure your purple sweet potato powder contains no additives, this drink is naturally gluten free. Just double-check your chosen products if you have allergies or sensitivities.
Can I make this vegan?
Definitely! Substitute the milk with oat, almond, or coconut milk. The flavors adapt beautifully—especially oat milk, which pairs nicely with the natural sweetness and earthiness of the purple sweet potato.
How strong is the sweet potato flavor?
It’s gently earthy, slightly nutty, and never overpowering—just a cozy background note. If you love bold flavors, you can increase the amount of powder or try blending in fresh purée for a richer taste.
What can I use if I can’t find purple sweet potato powder?
If the powder is elusive, try freeze-dried purple sweet potatoes or even purple yam (ube) powder in a pinch. The flavor will shift slightly, but you’ll still enjoy that gorgeous color and mild sweetness the drink is known for.
Final Thoughts
This Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea is a total showstopper—fun to make, beautiful to look at, and simply addictive to drink. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving it all week long! Give it a try, share it with friends, and enjoy the delicious magic in every sip.
Print
Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the unique flavor of Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea – a delightful twist on the classic bubble tea, with the added goodness of purple sweet potato.
Ingredients
Tapioca Balls:
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup tapioca balls
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Purple Sweet Potato Milk Tea:
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons purple sweet potato powder
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Cook Tapioca Balls: Combine ¾ cup water and brown sugar in a saucepan. Boil until big bubbles form, then add tapioca balls. Boil for 8 minutes, then let cool.
- Make Purple Sweet Potato Milk Tea: In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, water, milk, and purple sweet potato powder. Shake well.
- Assemble the Drink: Put warm tapioca balls in a cup with brown sugar syrup, then pour in the purple sweet potato milk tea. Serve with an extra wide straw.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Shake, Boil
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea, Bubble Tea Recipe, Tapioca Pearl Milk Tea, Asian Drink
