Ding Tea Copycat: How to Make 5 Best Classic Drinks 

You know that little happy dance you do when you walk into a Ding Tea? The scent of fresh-brewed tea and the anticipation of selecting your potion… I mean, your drink. Whether you’re all about that creamy milk tea life or you live for those tart, refreshing fruit ones, we’re all addicted.

But what if I told you that you can skip the line and the price tag and make your favorite drinks right at home? Yep, for real! You get to be the boss of the sweetness, the toppings, everything. Let’s get our bubble tea on with these five super-easy copycat recipes!

Why Bother Making It Yourself?

You’re the CEO of Your Drink

No more awkwardly asking for “just a little bit of sugar, please.” At home, you call the shots. Want extra boba? Go for it. Feel like trying oat milk instead? You do you. It’s all about making it exactly how you like it.

Save Your Cash, Friend!

A daily Ding Tea habit can seriously wreck your wallet. Making it at home is way cheaper in the long run. That’s more money for… well, more tea ingredients, obviously.

It’s Actually a Blast!

Mixing up these drinks is seriously fun. It feels like a little science experiment that you get to drink at the end. You can get creative and invent a flavor that’s all your own.

Gear & Ingredients You’ll Need

First, let’s raid the pantry. You don’t need anything too crazy!

The Main Players:

• Tea: Choose from black tea bags, green tea, or oolong tea. The classics!
• Sweet Stuff: White sugar, brown sugar, or honey. By dissolving sugar in water, simple syrup transforms cold beverages by blending seamlessly.
• Milk: Dairy milk, almond, oat, whatever you like.
• The Star of the Show: Tapioca Pearls (Boba)! You can find these at any Asian market or online. They usually just need a quick boil.

Your Toolbox:

• A pot for boiling water and boba
• A glass to serve it in (makes it feel more authentic!)
• A shaker or a mason jar with a lid (for getting that nice frothy tea-shop look)
• A blender for the fruity drinks

5 Ding Tea Menu to Make You a Home Barista

1. The OG: Classic Milk Tea

This is your ride-or-die, the one that started it all.

What you need:

• 1 cup of strong black tea, cooled down
• 2 tbsp of sugar or simple syrup (add more if you’ve got a sweet tooth!)
• 1/2 cup of milk (your choice!)
• 1/4 cup of cooked boba
• A big handful of ice

Let’s make it:

Follow the package directions to cook your boba pearls.
Make your black tea and wait for it to cool. Nobody likes watery, melted iced tea.
Add your sugar to the warm tea and stir it up until it dissolves.
Start by putting the boba at the bottom of the glass, then add ice, pour in the tea, and complete with a layer of milk.
Give it a good stir, poke a straw in, and enjoy that classic flavor!

2. The Refresher: Fruity Green Tea

Perfect for a sunny afternoon. So light and refreshing!

What you need:

• 1 cup of green tea, chilled
• 1 tbsp of honey or simple syrup
• A handful of chopped fruit (strawberries, peaches, or mangoes are amazing)
• A scoop of fruit jelly if you’re feeling fancy
• Ice, ice, baby

Let’s make it:

1. Get that green tea brewed and into the fridge to get cold.
2. Mix the honey into the tea until it’s all combined
3. Grab a glass and load it up with your fruit and ice.
4. Add the sweet tea over the top, include your jelly, and stir it.
5. Instant vacation in a cup!

3. The Trendsetter: Matcha Milk Tea

For when you want that gorgeous green color and a yummy, earthy kick.

What you need:

• 1 tsp of good matcha powder
• 1/2 cup of hot water (not boiling!)
• 2 tbsp of sugar or sweetener
• 1/2 cup of milk
• Ice cubes
• Boba (optional, but highly recommended)

Let’s make it:

Sift your matcha powder into a bowl to avoid lumps. Add the hot water and whisk it like you mean it until it’s frothy.
Stir in your sugar so it melts right in.
Place ice in a glass and drizzle the matcha over it. Slowly pour your milk on top for a cool layered effect (or just mix it all—no judgment here!).
Add your boba and prepare for your matcha moment.

4. The Sweet Tooth’s Dream: Brown Sugar Boba Milk

That iconic drink with the crazy tiger stripes! It’s rich, caramel-y, and so indulgent.

What you need:

• 2 tbsp of brown sugar syrup (just melt brown sugar with a tiny bit of water)
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup of cooked boba
• Ice

Let’s make it:

1. This one’s all about the presentation! Drizzle that warm brown sugar syrup all around the inside of your glass. Allow it to cascade along the edges for a trendy streak effect.
2. Plop your warm, cooked boba into the glass and swirl it around to coat them in the syrup.
3. First, add ice to your cup, and then carefully drizzle the milk over it.
4. Don’t stir it right away! Let it look gorgeous for a second, then mix it all up and drink the deliciousness.

5. The Pick-Me-Up: Honey Lemon Green Tea

Feeling a bit under the weather? Or just need a zesty, healthy-ish sip? This is your guy.

What you need:

• 1 cup of green tea, cooled
• 1 tbsp of honey (or more to taste)
• Juice from half a fresh lemon
• Ice
• Lemon slices for aesthetic purposes

Let’s make it:

1. Brew your green tea and let it cool.
2. Mix the honey into the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir until the honey says “I surrender!” and dissolves.
3. Serve it over a glass filled with ice, add a slice of lemon on the side, and experience immediate refreshment.

Pro Tips for Bubble Tea Glory

• Taste as You Go! The biggest advantage of making it yourself is controlling the sweetness. Start with a little sugar and adjust the quantity as necessary.
• Fresh is Best: Use fresh fruit and good-quality tea if you can. It makes a huge difference!
• Boba Rule #1: Eat your tapioca pearls right away. They get weird and hard if you let them sit in the fridge for too long. They’re best enjoyed fresh.

FAQ

You’ve Got This!

See? That wasn’t so scary. Making your own Ding Tea drinks is easy, fun, and way cheaper. You’re now a certified home barista. Play some music, bring water to a boil, and unleash your imagination. Your new favorite drink is waiting for you to invent it.