Learn how to make popular Chinese drinks at home with easy, authentic recipes! This guide covers must-try Chinese beverages, from soothing herbal teas and refreshing fruit juices to bubble tea and traditional rice wines. Discover classic Chinese drinks’ best ingredients, brewing techniques, and health benefits. Whether you’re craving a warm cup of jasmine tea or a cool glass of suanmeitang (sour plum juice), these simple recipes will bring authentic Chinese flavors to your kitchen! 🍵🥤
1.Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶, Zhēnzhū Nǎichá)
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a popular Taiwanese milk tea featuring chewy tapioca pearls. This sweet, creamy, and refreshing drink is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients!
📝 Ingredients:
For the Tapioca Pearls (Boba):
✅ ½ cup black tapioca pearls (store-bought or homemade)
✅ 4 cups water (for boiling)
✅ 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey (for soaking the pearls)
For the Milk Tea:
✅ 2 black tea bags (or loose-leaf black tea)
✅ 1 cup hot water
✅ 2 tbsp sugar or sweetener (adjust to taste)
✅ ½ cup milk or dairy alternative (whole milk, almond, oat, or coconut milk)
✅ 1 cup ice cubes
Optional Add-ons:
✅ Flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, or fruit flavors)
✅ Whipped cream (for extra creaminess)
👨🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Tapioca Pearls
1️⃣ Boil 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Add the tapioca pearls and stir gently to prevent sticking.
2️⃣ Cook for 5-7 minutes (or follow package instructions) until the pearls become soft and chewy.
3️⃣ Drain and rinse the pearls under cold water to stop cooking.
4️⃣ Transfer to a bowl and mix with 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey to keep them sweet and soft.
Step 2: Brew the Tea
5️⃣ Steep 2 black tea bags in 1 cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and stir in sugar while the tea is hot. Let it cool.
Step 3: Assemble the Bubble Tea
6️⃣ In a tall glass, add ½ cup cooked tapioca pearls at the bottom.
7️⃣ Fill the glass with ice cubes, then pour in the brewed tea.
8️⃣ Add ½ cup milk (or your favorite dairy alternative). Stir well.
9️⃣ Insert a wide straw (for the boba pearls) and enjoy your homemade bubble tea!
🔥 Pro Tips:
✔ Use strong brewed tea for the best flavor.
✔ Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar/honey.
✔ Try different tea bases like green tea, matcha, or oolong for unique flavors.
✔ Store cooked tapioca pearls in syrup and use within 4 hours for freshness.
2. Chrysanthemum Tea (菊花茶, Júhuā Chá)
Chrysanthemum tea is a fragrant, soothing, and caffeine-free herbal tea made from dried chrysanthemum flowers. It is a popular Chinese drink known for its cooling properties, stress relief, and detox benefits. Enjoy this refreshing tea hot or cold!
📝 Ingredients:
✅ 2 tbsp dried chrysanthemum flowers (available at Asian grocery stores or online)
✅ 2 cups hot water (about 190–200°F / 88–93°C)
✅ 1 tsp rock sugar, honey, or sweetener (optional)
✅ 1–2 goji berries (optional, for extra health benefits)
👨🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Rinse the Flowers
1️⃣ Rinse the dried chrysanthemum flowers under cold water to remove any dust or impurities.
Step 2: Brew the Tea
2️⃣ Place the flowers into a teapot or heatproof cup.
3️⃣ Pour 2 cups of hot water over the flowers.
4️⃣ Let the tea steep for 5–7 minutes, until the water turns a light golden color.
Step 3: Sweeten & Serve
5️⃣ Add rock sugar or honey for sweetness, if desired.
6️⃣ For extra flavor, add goji berries and let them soak for a few minutes.
7️⃣ Strain the tea into a cup and enjoy it hot or let it cool and serve over ice for a refreshing iced tea.
🔥 Pro Tips:
✔ Use high-quality dried chrysanthemum flowers for the best aroma and taste.
✔ The longer you steep, the stronger the flavor—but don’t steep too long to avoid bitterness.
✔ Add goji berries, red dates, or licorice root for additional health benefits.
✔ Store leftover tea in the fridge and enjoy it as a cold summer drink.
3. Suanmeitang (酸梅汤, Sour Plum Drink)
Suanmeitang (酸梅汤) is a refreshing, sweet-tart Chinese summer drink made from smoked plums, dried fruits, and herbs. It is known for its cooling properties, aiding digestion, and quenching thirst on hot days. This ancient Chinese beverage has a rich, smoky, and slightly sour taste balanced with sweetness.
📝 Ingredients:
✅ ½ cup dried smoked plums (乌梅, Wūméi)
✅ 2 tbsp dried hawthorn berries (山楂, Shānzhā)
✅ 1 tbsp dried hibiscus flowers (洛神花, Luòshénhuā) (optional, for color & tartness)
✅ 1 tbsp dried licorice root (甘草, Gāncǎo) (optional, for natural sweetness)
✅ 4–5 dried Chinese red dates (红枣, Hóngzǎo) (optional, for sweetness & depth of flavor)
✅ 6 cups water
✅ ¼ cup rock sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Rinse & Prepare Ingredients
1️⃣ Rinse the dried smoked plums, hawthorn berries, red dates, and hibiscus flowers under cold water to remove any dust.
Step 2: Simmer the Ingredients
2️⃣ In a large pot, add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil.
3️⃣ Add the smoked plums, hawthorn berries, hibiscus flowers, licorice root, and red dates.
4️⃣ Reduce to low heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop.
Step 3: Sweeten & Strain
5️⃣ Add rock sugar or honey to the pot and stir until dissolved.
6️⃣ Strain the liquid into a pitcher, discarding the solids.
Step 4: Chill & Serve
7️⃣ Let the drink cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
8️⃣ Serve chilled over ice for a refreshing summer drink!
🔥 Pro Tips:
✔ Adjust sweetness by adding more or less rock sugar/honey.
✔ For extra tartness, add a few dried tamarind pods.
✔ Enhance the smoky flavor by steeping the plums longer.
✔ Store in the fridge for up to 3 days—perfect for hot summer days!
4. Soy Milk (豆浆, Dòujiāng)
Soy milk (豆浆, Dòujiāng) is a nutritious, creamy, and protein-rich plant-based drink popular in China. Often enjoyed hot or cold, it pairs perfectly with youtiao (Chinese fried dough sticks) for breakfast. This homemade version is fresher and healthier than store-bought soy milk!
📝 Ingredients:
✅ 1 cup dried soybeans
✅ 4–5 cups water (for blending & cooking)
✅ 2–3 tbsp sugar or honey (optional, adjust to taste)
✅ 1 pandan leaf or vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)
👨🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Soak the Soybeans
1️⃣ Rinse 1 cup of dried soybeans under cold water.
2️⃣ Soak them in 3–4 cups of water overnight (at least 8 hours), until they expand and soften.
Step 2: Blend the Soybeans
3️⃣ Drain the soaked soybeans and rinse them again.
4️⃣ Add the soybeans to a blender with 4 cups of fresh water. Blend until smooth.
Step 3: Strain the Soy Milk
5️⃣ Pour the blended mixture through a cheesecloth, nut milk bag, or fine-mesh strainer into a pot, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the soybean pulp (or use it in recipes like pancakes or dumplings).
Step 4: Cook the Soy Milk
6️⃣ Bring the strained soy milk to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
7️⃣ Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Add a pandan leaf or vanilla extract for extra aroma.
Step 5: Sweeten & Serve
8️⃣ Stir in sugar or honey while the soy milk is warm.
9️⃣ Enjoy hot or chill in the fridge for a refreshing cold drink!
🔥 Pro Tips:
✔ Use organic soybeans for the best taste.
✔ Adjust the water ratio for thicker or thinner soy milk.
✔ For unsweetened soy milk, skip the sugar.
✔ Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake well before serving!
5. Jasmine Tea (茉莉花茶, Mòlìhuā Chá)
Jasmine tea (茉莉花茶, Mòlìhuā Chá) is a fragrant, floral Chinese tea made by infusing green or white tea leaves with jasmine blossoms. It is soothing, aromatic, and packed with antioxidants, making it a popular choice for relaxation and digestion.
📝 Ingredients:
✅ 1 tsp loose-leaf jasmine tea (or 1 jasmine tea bag)
✅ 1 cup (240 ml) hot water (175°F / 80°C for green tea; 185°F / 85°C for white tea)
✅ 1 tsp honey or rock sugar (optional, for sweetness)
👨🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Heat the Water
1️⃣ Heat fresh filtered water to the correct temperature:
- Green tea base: 175°F (80°C)
- White tea base: 185°F (85°C)
- Avoid boiling water, as it can make the tea taste bitter.
Step 2: Steep the Tea
2️⃣ Place 1 tsp of loose-leaf jasmine tea (or a tea bag) in a cup or teapot.
3️⃣ Pour the hot water over the tea leaves.
4️⃣ Let it steep for 2–4 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.
Step 3: Strain & Serve
5️⃣ If using loose leaves, strain the tea into a cup.
6️⃣ Add honey or rock sugar for a hint of sweetness (optional).
7️⃣ Enjoy warm or chill and serve over ice for a refreshing iced jasmine tea.
🔥 Pro Tips:
✔ Use high-quality loose-leaf jasmine tea for the best flavor and aroma.
✔ Don’t overstep, or the tea may turn bitter.
✔ For an iced version, brew the tea double-strength and pour over ice.
✔ Pair with light snacks like dim sum or pastries for an authentic experience.
6. Milk Tea with Grass Jelly (仙草奶茶, Xiāncǎo Nǎichá)
Milk Tea with Grass Jelly (仙草奶茶, Xiāncǎo Nǎichá) is a popular Taiwanese and Chinese dessert drink featuring creamy milk tea and chewy grass jelly cubes. It’s a refreshing, slightly sweet, and silky-smooth drink that’s perfect for summer!
📝 Ingredients:
✅ 2 black tea bags (or 1 tbsp loose-leaf black tea)
✅ 1 cup (240 ml) hot water
✅ ½ cup grass jelly (canned or homemade), cut into cubes
✅ ¼ cup milk or evaporated milk
✅ 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (or to taste)
✅ ½ cup ice cubes
👨🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Brew the Tea
1️⃣ Steep black tea bags in 1 cup of hot water for 3–5 minutes.
2️⃣ Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Prepare the Grass Jelly
3️⃣ If using canned grass jelly, cut it into small cubes.
4️⃣ If using homemade grass jelly, prepare it in advance according to package instructions.
Step 3: Assemble the Drink
5️⃣ In a glass, add ½ cup of grass jelly cubes.
6️⃣ Fill the glass with ice cubes for a chilled drink.
7️⃣ Pour in the brewed black tea.
Step 4: Add Milk & Sweetener
8️⃣ Stir in evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk to taste.
9️⃣ Mix well and enjoy!
🔥 Pro Tips:
✔ Use strong black tea (like Assam or Ceylon) for a richer flavor.
✔ For a dairy-free version, use oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.
✔ Adjust sweetness with honey, sugar, or condensed milk.
✔ For extra flavor, add boba pearls or brown sugar syrup.
7. Rice Wine (米酒, Mǐjiǔ) – A traditional fermented drink
Rice Wine (米酒, Mǐjiǔ) is a traditional Chinese alcoholic beverage made from fermented glutinous rice. It’s a mild, sweet, and fragrant drink commonly served in Chinese households and enjoyed for its health benefits. Mǐjiǔ can be enjoyed warm or cold and is often used in cooking as well.
📝 Ingredients:
✅ 2 cups glutinous rice (sticky rice)
✅ 2 tbsp yeast (fermentation starter)
✅ 6 cups water
✅ ¼ cup sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
👨🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
1️⃣ Rinse the glutinous rice thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess starch.
2️⃣ Soak the rice in water for 4–6 hours, or overnight for best results.
Step 2: Steam the Rice
3️⃣ Drain the soaked rice and steam it in a bamboo steamer or a regular steamer for about 30 minutes, until it is fully cooked and sticky.
Step 3: Cool and Add Yeast
4️⃣ Let the steamed rice cool to about 95°F (35°C)—you want it to be warm but not hot.
5️⃣ Dissolve the yeast in a little water, and then sprinkle it over the warm rice. Gently mix to combine.
Step 4: Ferment the Rice Wine
6️⃣ Transfer the rice mixture into a clean, sterilized jar or fermentation vessel.
7️⃣ Cover the vessel with a clean cloth and secure it with a rubber band or string.
8️⃣ Allow the mixture to ferment at room temperature for 4–7 days. Stir once a day.
Step 5: Strain and Serve
9️⃣ After fermentation, the rice wine should have a sweet, fruity aroma. Strain the liquid from the solid rice.
🔟 Serve warm or chilled—you can add sugar to taste for a sweeter version.
🔥 Pro Tips:
✔ Use glutinous rice (not regular rice) for the best texture and fermentation.
✔ Fermentation time may vary—longer fermentation will result in a stronger alcohol content.
✔ Keep the rice wine in a cool, dark place for fermentation to avoid spoilage.
✔ Serve in small cups for a traditional experience, or use as an ingredient in Chinese cooking.
8. Goji Berry Tea (枸杞茶, Gǒuqǐ Chá)
Goji Berry Tea (枸杞茶, Gǒuqǐ Chá) is a nutritious, antioxidant-rich tea made from dried goji berries. Known for its health benefits, this tea is often enjoyed for its sweet, herbal flavor and is believed to support immunity, eye health, and overall wellness.
📝 Ingredients:
✅ 1–2 tbsp dried goji berries
✅ 1 cup hot water (175°F / 80°C)
✅ 1–2 slices ginger (optional, for extra warmth)
✅ 1–2 tsp honey or rock sugar (optional, for sweetness)
👨🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Rinse the Goji Berries
1️⃣ Rinse the dried goji berries under cold water to remove any impurities.
Step 2: Steep the Tea
2️⃣ In a teapot or cup, place 1–2 tbsp of dried goji berries.
3️⃣ Pour 1 cup of hot water over the goji berries.
4️⃣ Let it steep for 5–7 minutes, allowing the berries to expand and infuse the water with flavor and nutrients.
Step 3: Add Optional Ingredients
5️⃣ For extra flavor, add sliced ginger to the tea. Ginger adds a warm, spicy note to complement the natural sweetness of the goji berries.
6️⃣ Sweeten with honey or rock sugar as desired. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
7️⃣ Enjoy the tea warm for a soothing experience, or let it cool and serve over ice for a refreshing drink in the summer.
🔥 Pro Tips:
✔ Use high-quality goji berries for the best flavor and health benefits.
✔ Add goji berries to your tea blend for a natural, fruity touch in other teas like green tea or chamomile.
✔ For a cold brew, place the goji berries in cold water overnight and strain before serving.
✔ Drink regularly for immunity support and improved skin health.