• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Mains
    • Drinks
    • Snacks
    • Food Tips
    • Sign Up
  • About
    • Food Photography Tips
    • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
My Vegan Minimalist
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Free Course
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Collaborate
    • Free Course
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Vegan Recipes

    Winter Melon Bubble Milk Tea - Boba

    Published: Sep 16, 2020 · Modified: May 16, 2022 by Tajda Ferko This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe

    This quick winter melon milk tea uses only 5 simple ingredients! It's all you would want from boba - refreshing, slightly sweet, fruity & SO satisfying. Give it a try today!

    A close-up image of winter melon bubble tea with a large ice cube in the centre.
    Jump to:
    • 💌 Why I Love This Recipe
    • 🥛 Ingredients
    • 🥄 Tools
    • ⏲️ Steps
    • 💡 Expert Tips
    • 🛒 Winter Melon
    • ❓FAQ
    • 🍫 Variations
    • 🍵 Serving
    • 📦 Storage
    • 🍹 Similar Recipes
    • 🍴Recipe
    • Winter Melon Bubble Milk Tea - Boba

    Ever tried winter melon boba tea in Gong Cha? Well, thanks to this recipe, you can now make it at home!

    💌 Why I Love This Recipe

    • Uses REAL winter melon fruit
    • MUCH quicker than similar recipes
    • Super detailed steps
    • Easy enough for beginners
    • MUCH better than store-bought!
    • 5 ingredients only
    • Serve it hot or cold
    • Enjoy it with boba pearls or without

    Did you know? Winter melon belongs to the same family as cucumbers & zucchini! It has a mild flavor & usually isn't eaten raw. (Source)

    🥛 Ingredients

    You'll need these ingredients to make a refreshing winter melon milk tea.

    A flatlay of all the ingredients needed to make winter melon milk tea.

    Ingredient Notes

    Winter melon - Find it in your local Asian supermarket (in the fresh produce section). you can use fresh or frozen winter melon.

    Milk - Opt for something creamy & delicious - I like oat milk so I used that.

    Tapioca (boba) pearls - Make sure to use quick-cooking (sometimes called instant) tapioca balls. They take just 4 minutes or less to cook.

    Tea - Any tea of your choice will do. Black, green, Oolong, matcha, fruit, herbal, etc.

    Sugar - I recommend soft brown sugar because it adds a rich caramel note.

    🥄 Tools

    • 4 tall glasses
    • Saucepan
    • Blender
    • Large straws - optional

    ⏲️ Steps

    In a rush? Skip the tips & images and go straight to the recipe card at the bottom of this page. You'll find all the details there.

    It's SUPER easy to make winter melon boba.

    The recipe consists of two simple parts:

    1. Making the syrup
    2. Making the milk tea
    A collage of two images showing how to make winter melon syrup.

    To make the syrup:

    1. Peel & cut winter melon into cubes. Sprinkle with sugar & let sit for 30 minutes.

    2. After 30 minutes, add winter melon to a saucepan. Add water, bring to a boil & simmer for 15 minutes. By then, the winter melon should be super soft.

    A collage of four images showing the making of winter melon bubble tea.

    To make the milk tea:

    3. Transfer the syrup to a blender and add milk. Blend until completely smooth. No bits should remain. Optional - pour through a sieve for extra smoothness. Let cool.

    4. In a mug, make tea. Let steep & set aside to cool.

    5. Cook boba pearls according to instructions on your packet. When finished cover them with sugar and 3 tablespoon of boiling hot water.

    6. To serve, divide pearls between 4 glasses. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Add cooled-down tea & your winter melon milk mixture.

    💡 Expert Tips

    • Taste & adjust before serving.
    • Add more sugar if desired (the original recipe isn't super sweet).
    • Ensure the winter melon milk mixture is SUPER smooth.
    • In supermarkets, winter melon is sometimes referred to as dong gua.
    • Adjust the softness of boba pearls to your taste.
    • Cook them for longer if you want softer pearls.
    • Cook them for less long if you prefer a chewier texture.
    • Serve it in a full glass of ice cubes. This will make it extra refreshing!
    • Never let cooked boba pearls stand around - cover them in sugar & a big splash of boiling hot water.

    🛒 Winter Melon

    A bowl filled with cut winter melon sprinkled with brown sugar.

    How to select the ripest winter melon?

    • Pre-cut slices: select winter melon with a white, crisp & dense flesh.
    • Whole fruit: similarly, look for dense, heavy fruit. It should sound hollow.

    Wondering how to store it?

    If you've bought the whole fruit, simply store it in a cool, dark place. It can last several months.

    Sliced winter melon, on the other hand, deteriorates very fast.

    You'll need to place it in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic foil. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    ❓FAQ

    A collage of two images showing uncooked and cooked tapioca pearls.
    Uncooked (left) and cooked (right) boba pearls.
    What does winter melon milk tea taste like?

    The flavor is sweet, fruity & refreshing - but remember! The final taste will depend on what type of tea you're adding!

    When you add black tea, it tastes strong, smoky & earthy.

    If adding green tea, it tastes floral, almost oceanic.

    The tea has a strong role to play so make sure you choose something you truly like.

    How many calories are in winter melon milk tea?

    There are roughly 270 calories (remember this is only an estimate).

    Does winter melon boba have caffeine?

    Yes, it contains caffeine.

    However, you can make it without caffeine if that's what you prefer. Simply use decaf tea, fruit tea, or herbal tea.

    Is winter melon boba sweet?

    This drink is NOT super sweet!

    In fact, I don't like sweet boba at all, so I add minimal amounts of sugar.

    Keep this in mind if you're a lover of all things sweet. You can easily adjust the sugar levels, adding more or less according to taste.

    🍫 Variations

    You can serve winter melon milk tea just as described in the recipe or add various toppings and flavors.

    • Toppings: Whipped cream, caramel or chocolate sauce, chocolate shavings, crushed Oreos, fresh fruit (berries work super well!).
    • Flavors: Oolong tea works SUPER well. Matcha can be a nice choice too.

    🍵 Serving

    A close-up overhead image of winter melon milk tea.

    Remember this when serving your winter melon boba:

    • Serve ice cold or piping hot, but not lukewarm.
    • Large boba straws come in handy - invest in some reusable ones if you're making boba often.
    • Add boba pearls to the glass first, then ice & then the liquids.
    • Enjoy immediately after serving.

    📦 Storage

    A collage of two images showing two different tapioca pearl options.

    As mentioned above, it's best to serve boba tea fresh.

    If you do want to store it for later, here's what you can do:

    • Omit boba pearls & ice. Pour the milk tea into an airtight container/jar. Keep it in the fridge and drink within 2 days.

    If you want to store cooked boba pearls for longer, follow this method!

    Mix ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water. Bring to boil & let simmer for 5-10 minutes. Then pour the syrup over your cooked boba pearls. Give it a good mix.

    Store this mixture in an airtight container for about 2 days.

    🍹 Similar Recipes

    Boba lovers are in for a treat here! Check out my:

    • Strawberry Milk Tea
    • Okinawa Milk Tea
    • Mango Milk Tea
    • Jasmine Milk Tea
    • Honeydew Milk Tea
    • Oreo Milk Tea

    Tried out this recipe? Please consider leaving a comment below! Your ratings & comments help me run this blog. They also help others find my boba recipes.

    Still not sure about it? If you have questions about this recipe simply get in touch via the comments below or DM me on Instagram. I usually respond to comments within a day (except on weekends).

    🍴Recipe

    Winter Melon Bubble Milk Tea - Boba

    This quick winter melon milk tea uses only 5 simple ingredients! It's all you would want from boba - refreshing, slightly sweet, fruity & SO satisfying.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 40 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 270kcal
    Author: Tajda Ferko

    Equipment

    • Four glasses
    • Saucepan
    • Blender
    • Large straws optional

    Ingredients

    Syrup

    • 3 cups winter melon
    • 3 tablespoon sugar I used soft brown sugar

    Milk Tea

    • 1,5 cup milk I used oat milk
    • 1,5 cup tea black, green, oolong, etc
    • 1 cup quick-cooking tapioca pearls
    • 3 tablespoon sugar I used soft brown sugar

    Optional

    • plenty of ice cubes if serving cold
    US Cups - Metric

    Instructions

    Syrup

    • Peel & cut winter melon into cubes. Sprinkle with sugar & let sit for 30 minutes.
    • After 30 minutes, add winter melon to a saucepan. Add ½ cup water, bring to a boil & simmer for 15 minutes. By then, the winter melon should be super soft.

    Milk tea

    • Transfer syrup to a blender and add milk. Blend until completely smooth. No bits should remain. Optional - pour through a sieve for extra smoothness. Set aside to cool.
    • In a mug, make tea. Let steep & set aside to cool.
    • Cook pearls according to instructions on your packet. Reserve 3 tablespoon of boiling hot water. When pearls are cooked cover them with sugar and the reserved hot water. Mix well.
    • To serve, divide pearls between 4 glasses. Then fill the glasses with ice cubes.
    • Add cooled-down tea & your syrup blend. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • This recipe serves 4 small portions.
    • Taste & adjust before serving.
    • Add more sugar if desired (the original recipe isn't super sweet)
    • Ensure the winter melon milk mixture is SUPER smooth.
    • In supermarkets, winter melon is sometimes referred to as dong gua.
    • Adjust the softness of boba pearls to your taste.
    • Cook them for longer if you want softer pearls.
    • Cook them for less long if you prefer a chewier texture.
    • Serve it in a full glass of ice cubes. This will make it extra refreshing!
    • Never let cooked boba pearls stand around - cover them in sugar & a big splash of boiling hot water.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 274mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 837IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 1mg

    Disclaimer: The nutritional information above is calculated automatically. The author of this post cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of this data.

    Tried This Recipe? Tag Me Today!Mention @MyVeganMinimalist or tag #MyVeganMinimalist!

    More Easy Vegan Recipes

    • A yellow frozen lemonade ice cube placed on a small round plate.
      Easy Homemade Frozen Lemonade Concentrate
    • Roasted pepitas on a brown baking sheet
      Oven Roasted Pepitas - 4 Ways!
    • A close-up shot of two slices of lazy cake placed on top of each other
      Lazy Cake - No-Bake Chocolate Cookie Cake Recipe
    • Avocado Lime Crema - Healthy, Vegan Dip

    5-Day Free Food Photography Course

    Privacy Policy

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there! I'm Tajda (pronounced tide-ah) and I'm here to take you on a delicious plant-based journey! My recipes are easy to make, affordable, and always vegan.

    Trending

    • The Best Easy Immersion Blender Hummus (Vegan & Oil-free Option)
    • A side view of a plate featuring a stack of vegan almond milk crepes
      In-depth Foodtography School Review + Discount (+ Free Bonus)
    • Vegan Stew And Dumplings
    • The BEST Vegan Burrata Cheese with Cashews (Dairy-Free)

    Easter Favorites

    • Creamy Leek Soup Without Potatoes - 30 Minutes
    • Vegan Spiced Pear & Almond Cake
    • Vegan Pigs in Blankets - Easy Carrot Party Snack
    • Crispy Oven Roasted Lentils - 5 Ingredients

    Spring is Coming!

    • 5-Minute Green Pizza Sauce with Basil & Spinach
    • Tabule Salad - Easy & Healthy Ingredients
    • Vegan Soft Silken Tofu 'Egg' Scramble
    • Vegan Wilted Spinach Salad with Tahini Dressing

    As seen in

    Free Course

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    Copyright © 2023 My Vegan Minimalist