Name: Iced Dragonfruit Milk Tea
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tbsp tea of your choice (jasmine green, matcha, or black tea); 1 cup hot water; 1 ripe pink-fleshed dragonfruit, peeled and sliced; 1–2 tsp honey, sugar, or vanilla syrup (to taste); 2–4 tbsp cold water (for blending); ½ cup cold milk (dairy or plant-based); Ice

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Iced Dragonfruit Milk Tea is a refreshing, tropical twist on a café-style favorite. The naturally vibrant pink of dragonfruit makes this drink not only delicious but also stunning to serve. With its sweet, fruity flavor paired with creamy milk and your favorite brewed tea, it’s a perfect warm-weather pick-me-up or a fun homemade alternative to bubble tea.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bright, tropical flavor from fresh dragonfruit
Gorgeous natural pink color without artificial dyes
Customizable with your favorite tea and sweetener
Easy to make at home with simple ingredients
Can be served layered for a café-style presentation or stirred for a creamy finish

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 tablespoon tea of your choice (jasmine green tea, matcha, or any green/black tea)
1 cup hot water
1 ripe pink-fleshed dragonfruit, peeled and sliced
1–2 teaspoons honey, sugar, or vanilla syrup (to taste)
2–4 tablespoons cold water (to help blend)
½ cup cold milk (dairy or plant-based)
ice

Directions

Brew the tea: Steep tea leaves in hot water for 2–4 minutes. Strain and let cool. To speed up cooling, place in the fridge or freezer.
Make dragonfruit purée: Blend dragonfruit, cold water, and sweetener until smooth. Adjust sweetness to taste.
Assemble the drink: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in dragonfruit purée, then cold milk, and finally cooled tea.
Serve: Leave the layers for a striking look, or stir gently for a creamy pink milk tea.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 1 large serving.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooling time: 5 minutes
Total time: approximately 15 minutes

Variations

Add tapioca pearls or jelly for a bubble tea-style drink.
Use coconut milk for a richer, tropical flavor.
Replace honey with agave or maple syrup for a vegan option.
Blend in mango or pineapple with dragonfruit for extra fruitiness.
For a thicker texture, reduce tea and add more dragonfruit purée.

Storage/Reheating

This drink is best enjoyed immediately after preparation. If storing, keep tea and dragonfruit purée separately in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then assemble just before serving. Avoid storing assembled milk tea with ice, as it will dilute the flavor.

FAQs

Can I use white-fleshed dragonfruit?

Yes, but the flavor will be milder and the color less vibrant.

Can I make this drink ahead of time?

You can prepare the tea and dragonfruit purée in advance, but assemble with milk and ice right before serving.

What tea works best for this recipe?

Jasmine green tea pairs beautifully, but black tea adds richness and matcha offers earthiness.

Can I make it without sweetener?

Yes, the natural sweetness of dragonfruit may be enough, especially if it’s very ripe.

Can I use frozen dragonfruit?

Yes, just thaw slightly before blending for a smooth purée.

Can I use condensed milk instead of regular milk?

Yes, condensed milk adds creaminess and sweetness, but reduce or omit other sweeteners.

How do I make it creamier?

Add more milk or use full-fat dairy or coconut milk for a richer texture.

Can I turn this into a smoothie?

Yes, blend dragonfruit with milk and tea instead of layering, and add extra ice.

Why didn’t my drink turn out pink?

Only pink-fleshed dragonfruit creates the vibrant pink hue—white-fleshed varieties will be pale.

Can I make it caffeine-free?

Yes, substitute tea with fruit tea or skip it altogether for a creamy dragonfruit milk.

Conclusion

Iced Dragonfruit Milk Tea is a tropical, colorful drink that’s as fun to make as it is to sip. With customizable tea bases, flexible sweeteners, and a naturally vibrant pink finish, this homemade treat rivals any café version. Perfect for summer afternoons, it’s refreshing, creamy, and a little bit magical in every glass.