Coffee Milk Tea Recipe
Calling all coffee and tea lovers! Imagine a beverage that combines the best of both worlds, creating a taste sensation that will leave you craving more. Enter coffee milk tea recipe. A delightful fusion that brings together the bold flavors of coffee and the comforting qualities of tea.
In this blog post, I’m excited to share with you a simple and irresistible recipe that you can easily whip up at home. Whether you’re a die-hard coffee aficionado, a tea connoisseur, or simply seeking a new and exciting drink, this recipe is sure to impress.
What is coffee milk tea?
Coffee milk tea, also known as “yuan yang tea”, is a popular drink. It brings together the goodness of coffee and tea in a delightful way. It’s like having the best of both worlds in a single cup!
Picture a blend of brewed coffee, your favorite tea (black or green tea), some whole milk and something extra to sweeten it up. The result is a unique and enjoyable beverage that combines the boldness of coffee with the subtle flavors of tea.
The precise ratios and ingredients can vary depending on personal preference and regional variations, but the essence of coffee milk tea lies in the artful combination of these two beloved beverages.
Whether you’re a coffee lover, a tea aficionado, or simply looking for something new and tasty, coffee milk tea is definitely worth a try.
Coffee milk tea recipe ingredients
The ingredients used for this recipe are simple ingredients and can be found in any grocery store:
- Whole Milk. Whole milk actively adds a creamy and rich texture to coffee milk tea. It creates a smooth and satisfying mouthfeel while mellowing out any bitterness and enhancing the overall taste experience.
- Black Tea Bags. Black tea bags, such as Earl Grey, infuse coffee milk tea with robust and aromatic notes. They actively provide the base tea flavor, complementing the boldness of coffee and adding depth and complexity to the drink.
- Pure Maple Syrup. Pure maple syrup actively acts as a natural sweetener, adding a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors of coffee and tea. It brings a unique depth of flavor, imparting a subtle caramel-like taste that complements the richness of coffee and the earthiness of tea. Additionally, it adds a pleasant hint of warmth to the overall profile of coffee milk tea.
- Espresso. Espresso, regardless of whether it’s prepared using a French press, espresso machine, or instant coffee, actively provides a concentrated burst of coffee flavor to coffee milk tea. It enhances the overall coffee taste, cutting through the milk and tea flavors and delivering a harmonious balance and a delightful caffeine kick.
By incorporating these ingredients, you can create a well-rounded and flavorful cup of coffee milk tea. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ratios and combinations to find the perfect balance that suits your taste preferences.
Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
Substitutions and Add-ins for this delicious drink
Substitutions
- Black tea bags: Instead of using black tea bags, you can opt for black tea leaves. Loose black tea leaves can provide a stronger flavor and a hint of bitterness, along with more control over the brewing process. This allows you to customize the strength of the tea in your coffee milk tea to your liking.
- Pure Maple syrup: If you don’t have pure maple syrup on hand, you can substitute it with alternatives like white sugar, simple syrup, brown sugar syrup, or even coconut sugar. These sweeteners can add a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors in your coffee milk tea recipe.
- Regular milk: When it comes to the type of milk, you have a variety of options to choose from based on your preference. You can go for skim milk for a lighter option or experiment with non-dairy milk alternatives like coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, or any other milk substitute that suits your dietary needs and taste.
- Espresso: If you don’t have espresso available, don’t worry! You can choose the type of coffee you prefer to use in your coffee milk tea. Whether it’s cold brew coffee for a smoother and less acidic taste or decaf coffee for those looking to reduce caffeine content, the choice is yours. Feel free to explore different coffee flavors and strengths to find your perfect match.
Add-ins
- Boba pearls for a boba drink: To take your coffee milk tea to the next level and add some delightful texture, consider incorporating chewy tapioca pearls, commonly known as boba pearls. These small, gelatinous balls can be added to your drink for a boba-inspired experience, creating a fun and satisfying twist to your Hong Kong coffee milk tea.
Remember, these substitutions and additions offer flexibility and allow you to tailor your coffee milk tea to your liking. So, feel free to get creative and enjoy the process of customizing your own unique and delicious cup of coffee milk tea!
How to make this coffee drink
In a small saucepan, combine whole milk, black tea leaves, and pure maple syrup. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to come to room temperature.
Brew the espresso using your preferred method. Let the espresso cool to room temperature.
Once both the milk tea and espresso have reached room temperature, refrigerate until chilled (at least 1 hour).
When ready to serve, fill a glass with ice cubes, pour the chilled espresso over the ice, then pour the cooled milk tea into the glass over the espresso. Give it a gentle stir to combine the flavors and enjoy cold.
For a hot coffee milk tea, just pour the tea mixture and shot of espresso while still hot into a cup, and enjoy warm
Expert tips and troubleshooting for this coffee milk tea recipe
- If your coffee milk tea turns out bitter, it could be due to over-brewing the tea or espresso. To avoid this, follow the recommended brewing times for the tea and espresso, and be mindful not to let them steep for too long.
- Curdling can happen if the milk is heated too rapidly or at a high temperature. To prevent this, heat the milk slowly over medium heat, until it reaches a gentle simmer. Avoid boiling the milk. Additionally, if you’re using plant-based milk alternatives, be aware that some types may curdle more easily than others.
- Achieving the right balance of flavors in coffee milk tea is crucial. To avoid an imbalance, be mindful of the ratios of coffee, tea, milk, and sweetener you use. Taste and adjust as needed while preparing the mixture. If this is the first time making this drink, start with a little bit of conservative amounts. Gradually increase the ingredients until you find the perfect combination for you.
- If your coffee milk tea lacks flavor, it might be due to insufficient steeping or brewing time for the tea or espresso. Ensure that you follow the recommended time for brewing and steeping to extract the desired flavors fully. If needed, you can increase the steeping or brewing time slightly. Keep in mind the specific type of tea or coffee you are using.
Don’t miss out! Click this link to watch a video of this coffee milk tea up-close.
Take a look at the links below for more coffee flavored Recipes, or click this link for more drink recipes.
Best Homemade Vanilla Coffee Frappuccino Recipe
Best Homemade Coffee Ice Cream Recipe
Easy Coffee Brownies (extra fudgy recipe)
Coffee Loaf Cake Recipe (with coffee whipped cream frosting)
If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a star rating and leave a comment!
Coffee Milk Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat milk
- 1 bag black tea
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup espresso 1-2 shots
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine whole milk, black tea, and pure maple syrup. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add vanilla extract, and allow the mixture to come to room temperature.1 cup full-fat milk, 1 bag black tea, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Brew the espresso using your preferred method. Let the espresso cool to room temperature.1/3 cup espresso
- Once both the milk tea and espresso have reached room temperature, refrigerate until chilled (at least 1 hour).When ready to serve, fill a glass with ice cubes, pour the chilled espresso over the ice, then pour the cooled milk tea into the glass over the espresso. Give it a gentle stir to combine the flavors and enjoy cold.
- *For a hot coffee milk tea, just pour the tea mixture and shot of espresso while still hot into a cup, and enjoy warm
Notes
Expert tips and troubleshooting
- If your coffee milk tea turns out bitter, it could be due to over-brewing the tea or espresso. To avoid this, follow the recommended brewing times for the tea and espresso, and be mindful not to let them steep for too long.
- Curdling can happen if the milk is heated too rapidly or at a high temperature. To prevent this, heat the milk slowly over medium heat, until it reaches a gentle simmer. Avoid boiling the milk. Additionally, if you’re using plant-based milk alternatives, be aware that some types may curdle more easily than others.
- Achieving the right balance of flavors in coffee milk tea is crucial. To avoid an imbalance, be mindful of the ratios of coffee, tea, milk, and sweetener you use. Taste and adjust as needed while preparing the mixture. If this is the first time making this drink, start with a little bit of conservative amounts. Gradually increase the ingredients until you find the perfect combination for you.
- If your coffee milk tea lacks flavor, it might be due to insufficient steeping or brewing time for the tea or espresso. Ensure that you follow the recommended time for brewing and steeping to extract the desired flavors fully. If needed, you can increase the steeping or brewing time slightly. Keep in mind the specific type of tea or coffee you are using.
Loved this coffee drink idea! I love any new fun drink, and this combined my love of espresso shots, sweetening with not granulated sugar, and black tea! I subbed store bought hazelnut milk for whole milk and it turned out great. I also opted for hot not iced since I prefer hot drinks no matter the season. I LOVED it!! Usually I don’t like milk-heavy drinks because I like to taste the flavor of the tea or coffee or whatever being highlighted still, I don’t want to drink a cup of hot milk! And I think with the assistance of the black tea, it gave me that feeling of I’m still drinking a nice strong drink without it being overwhelming. I already feel awake 🙂 Great recipe!
Thank you Analisa! I’m really glad you liked it! ❤️