Thirsty and craving something sweet? Turn to this boba smoothie recipe to cool you off when the sun's rays are beaming down. Made with coconut milk and a delectable selection of tropical fruits, this smoothie is perfect for a taste of island bliss.
This tropical boba smoothie washes away the heat with every sip, thanks to a delightful combination of coconut milk and tropical fruits. Of course, chewy tapioca pearls round out the smoothie for a satisfying boba experience.
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Tropical Boba Smoothie
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
The allure of boba smoothies is that they can be customized to suit your tastes. If you're not a fan of pineapples or mangos, you can substitute them with frozen strawberries or bananas.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen sliced mango
- 1 cup frozen cubed pineapple
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
- 3–5 tbsp sugar syrup or sweetener of choice
- 1/2 cup cooked tapioca pearls
- 4 ice cubes
Instructions
- Cook the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions. Cool and set aside.
- Add mango, pineapple, coconut milk, ice cubes, and sweetener to a blender.
- Blend the mixture on high until it has a smooth, creamy texture.
- Divide the tapioca pearls into each serving cup.
- Pour the smoothie mixture over the boba pearls.
- Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Feel free to experiment with this recipe, as there’s a wide range of combinations that you can consider before finding your perfect bubble tea smoothie match. And don’t forget the boba straw!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Are Boba Smoothies Healthy?
If you’ve heard that boba smoothies are healthy, you’ve unfortunately been misled. While the fruits found in a boba tea smoothie may contain essential vitamins and minerals, the drink itself is packed with too much sugar and carbohydrates to warrant a “healthy” label.
The sugar in the boba smoothie isn’t only coming from the fruits. The tapioca pearls are typically cooked and coated with brown sugar, which adds an extra layer of sweetness (and calories) to the drink. As a result, obesity and diabetes are possible health risks when you consume too much boba.
That said, boba smoothies still top other sugary drinks like soda. As long as you’re enjoying a boba smoothie in moderation, there’s no harm in indulging in this delicious treat.
What Type of Milk Is Best for Boba Smoothie Recipes?
Plant-based milk like coconut and almond milk are our frequent go-to’s for smoothies. They provide a mild, nutty base that complements the kick of tropical fruit like mangoes and pineapples exceptionally well.
Plant-based milk is also less creamy than whole dairy milk, which makes it a tad bit healthier overall due to its lesser fat content. If you prefer a creamier texture, you should use dairy milk.
Do All Boba Smoothies Have Milk in Them?
Boba smoothies don’t require milk as a base. The boba balls in the beverage are enough for the drink to be classified as a boba smoothie. If you want to experiment, you can try using water or condensed milk instead of the usual dairy or plant-based milk.
Just note that using water as a base will result in a thinner consistency, while condensed milk will make your boba smoothie richer and more decadent.
What Toppings Can You Use in a Boba Smoothie?
Your boba smoothie is never complete without its toppings. While tapioca pearls are the most common topping, you can experiment with other options, like popping boba. Here are a few of my favorites:
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Best Variety
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Best Flavor
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Boba Buddha Approved
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Topping such as fruit pearls, popping pearls, fruit bits and jellies are hallmark boba additions. They’re not supposed to be blended with the smoothie; instead, they sit at the bottom of your cup so you can enjoy them with every sip.
Do Boba Smoothies Have Caffeine in Them?
No, boba smoothies don’t have caffeine. While traditional boba milk tea has caffeine due to the black or green tea leaves used, boba smoothies don’t have any caffeine since they don’t use tea as a base. And that means you can enjoy these drinks late at night without worrying about the caffeine keeping you up late at night.