Highly variable because of how it is made
Bubble tea, also called boba, is a tea-based drink mixed with milk, fruit syrups or flavourings and tapioca pearls. The USDA FoodData Central entry for bubble tea lists 19 mg of caffeine in an 8 oz serving and 35 mg in a typical drink. The actual number varies widely depending on whether the base is black tea, green tea, oolong or a non-caffeinated fruit blend, and on how large the cup is.
A 24 oz bubble tea made with strong black tea can exceed 80 mg, while a fruit-flavoured milk tea without any tea base may contain close to zero. Because recipes are not standardised, the only way to know for sure is to ask the shop what tea base they use and how much tea goes into the cup.
Tapioca does not change the caffeine
The tapioca pearls and milk do not contain caffeine. The caffeine comes entirely from the tea. Sugar and flavouring add calories but not caffeine. If you are tracking your daily total, count bubble tea as a tea drink rather than a dessert.
Because bubble tea is often sweet and filling, people drink it slowly, which can spread the caffeine out. However, a large cup with strong black tea can still contribute a meaningful amount to a daily total, especially if you also drink coffee.
Ordering for a lower caffeine total
If you want bubble tea with less caffeine, order a green tea or fruit-based milk tea without any added tea, and ask for a smaller size. Avoid “extra tea strength” or “extra shot” upgrades, which can push a 24 oz drink past 100 mg. Oolong and black tea bases are the highest-caffeine options.
Source
The caffeine figures are from USDA FoodData Central, tea, bubble, checked 19 September 2026.