Bubble coffee from Café du Jour

Bubble coffee is a delicious combination of strong coffee and soft tapioca pearls. This cold coffee drink is creamy, lightly sweet and full of texture. Perfect for warm days or when you fancy something different from a standard iced coffee. With this recipe, you can make it yourself, just the way you like it.

What is bubble coffee?

Bubble coffee is a coffee drink inspired by bubble tea, where tapioca pearls are combined with coffee, milk and ice. The pearls add a unique bite to the drink and make it a playful twist on iced coffee.

The drink originated in Asia and is gaining popularity, especially on social media. The combination of the full coffee flavour with the soft, sweet boba creates a surprising experience you definitely need to try. Below you’ll find the ingredients you need to make your own bubble coffee.

Recipe info & Ingredients

Recipe info

  • Preparation time: 20 minutes (including cooking the pearls)
  • Difficulty level: Easy
  • Servings: 1
  • Category: Coffee recipe / Iced coffee

Ingredients

  • 1 shot espresso or 100 ml strong coffee (cooled)
  • 100 ml milk or plant-based milk
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca pearls (boba)
  • 1 tablespoon cane sugar syrup or honey
  • Ice cubes

Optional:

  • Vanilla syrup or caramel syrup for extra flavour
  • Cream or creamer for a creamier version

Preparation instructions

  1. Cook the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions (usually 10–15 minutes), until soft and chewy.
  2. Drain the pearls and rinse briefly with cold water. Then mix them with the cane sugar syrup or honey and let them soak for a bit.
  3. Make the espresso or strong coffee and let it cool down.
  4. Fill a glass with the sweetened boba, add ice cubes and pour the coffee over.
  5. Pour in the milk and stir gently. Serve with a wide straw so you can drink the pearls too.

Serving tips and variations

For a creamy bubble coffee, you can add a splash of coffee cream or condensed milk.

Prefer a vegan version? Use plant-based milk like oat or almond milk and agave syrup as a sweetener.

Fancy something warm? Serve the coffee and milk heated, and add the pearls at the last moment.

You can also vary the flavours with vanilla, caramel or hazelnut by mixing in a bit of syrup. This way, you can give your bubble coffee a different twist every time.

Use this product to make your bubble coffee

For the best flavour, of course use freshly ground coffee beans from Café du Jour. A dark roast provides a powerful base that contrasts beautifully with the soft pearls and milk.

Frequently asked questions about the Bubble coffee recipe
What is the difference between bubble tea and bubble coffee?
Bubble tea is usually based on tea with milk or fruit flavour, whereas bubble coffee has coffee as its base. Both contain tapioca pearls for that distinctive chewy texture.
Do I need to cook the tapioca pearls myself?
Yes, unless you’re using pre-cooked pearls. Most boba needs to be briefly boiled and then sweetened for the best flavour and texture.
Can I drink bubble coffee hot as well?
Yes. Heat the coffee and milk, and add the warm boba at the very end. Just make sure you serve it straight away, otherwise the pearls will go chewy.