How to Make Royal Milk Tea

Have you ever heard of royal milk tea? It is a popular Japanese milk tea that not only tastes great but looks pretty too. If you happen to head to Japan, you will notice it is on the menu at every coffee shop and restaurant. You can even find it bottled or canned in their vending machines! Today I'm going to tell you how to make royal milk tea at home, no travel necessary.

Royal milk tea was originally invented by Lipton in Japan in 1965 as part of their “royal recipe” series. It caught on and its popularity grew. Now, it is a drink beloved by people all over the world. This fancy drink is made with black tea, most often Assam or Darjeeling, with a higher ratio of milk than other teas.
Some other differences between royal milk tea and other teas is the former is made delicately on the stovetop. The process is much different than brewing a cup of English Breakfast and more similar to a traditional chai, but it also doesn’t include as many as the spices as chai might have such as cardamom, ginger root, and cinnamon.
The use of strong black Assam tea simmered in a saucepan with whole milk and sugar creates a creamy and rich malt. It is perfect for a cozy day in the rain or can be made iced with added cubes. If you want to switch up your tea routine, this is the way to do it.
It is important to make royal milk tea in a very specific way. Follow the steps to a "tea" and you will have a classic beverage to rival all others.

Teas for Royal Milk Tea

There are a few teas that you can use for royal milk tea:
Darjeeling (India) – Light colored with a floral aroma. Fog Cutter Irish Breakfast is a blend of Darjeeling and other teas that is perfect for this drink.
Assam (India) – Dark, Bold, and Malty. House Blend is an English breakfast tea with a hint of vanilla that makes for a classic royal milk tea.
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) – Amber and full-bodied. The blackberry and hazelnut flavors of Breakfast in Bed add a playful twist.
Some people also mix the different types of teas for depth and a unique flavor. Have fun and experiment once you get the original recipe down. You never know what you might discover.


A lot of people also like to drink the tea iced. If you want to try it that way, put the pot in the fridge to cool before serving over ice. For an extra chill, put the glass in the freezer as well so the drink will stay chilled.

Dishes to Serve with Royal Milk Tea

Serve a delicious dish with your royal milk tea to enjoy with your friends. Here are some that will match perfectly with the tea and make your taste buds scream for more. Whether it is in the early morning or a fun night with friends, this tea will be just the thing you need to bring everyone together.
Matcha Mousse – Green tea is quite a staple in Japan and with matcha making its way into the spotlight, what better time than to make this amazing mousse with royal milk tea? A light-textured matcha mousse can be eaten for breakfast or as a nice dessert and will (figuratively) make your insides melt.
Matcha Crepes – Want to have a great brunch with your friends? Make these matcha crepes and have your entire meal be a hit. Add some fresh berries and you have yourself a nice healthy and fun breakfast (at least, we tell ourselves the fruit makes it healthy).
Cinnamon Chip Scone Sticks – Add some spice and make this cross between a scone and a biscotti. You can even dunk them in your tea! The cinnamon complements the spices in the milk tea – and these are just overall a fun snack to have with a cup of tea.
Almond Scone Recipe – This versatile dessert goes with anything and tastes absolutely delicious. It is a simple recipe to follow that will make your friends think you are a true baker. Plus, almond scones look great next to a beautiful teacup.
Enjoy making the royal milk tea and have fun with it. Just be sure to follow the milk and water boiling part exactly to get the best results.