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This warm, comforting Brown Sugar Ginger Milk Tea combines the earthy sweetness of brown sugar with the spiciness of ginger, enriched by the softness of red dates and the smooth creaminess of milk. Perfect for cold weather, this tea is both soothing and nourishing, making it an ideal drink for anyone looking to enjoy a homemade, traditional Chinese-inspired treat.

I’m a huge fan of milk tea, but I know that too much cold milk tea isn’t the healthiest choice.

For a warm and soothing alternative, this brown sugar ginger tea with sago and milk is a perfect balance of comforting flavors and textures.

The natural heat from ginger is great for warming the body, while brown sugar adds a gentle sweetness, and milk provides a creamy finish.

Traditionally, brown sugar ginger tea is made without sago or milk, but adding these ingredients gives it a unique richness and texture that feels especially indulgent.

More about sago

Sago is a classic ingredient in Chinese dessert soups, such as Mango Pomelo Sago, Taro Sago in Coconut Milk, and Watermelon Sago, providing a pleasantly chewy texture.

Cooking sago can be a bit tricky since rinsing it with cold water can cause it to dissolve.

If you do want to rinse it, use boiling water to keep it intact, as I do here.

To make things easier, I skip cooking the sago separately in this recipe and add it directly to the boiling tea mixture. It saves time and keeps the flavors integrated.

Ingredients

30g fresh ginger slices (about 4–8 slices, adjust for desired ginger strength)
6 pitted red dates, chopped
40g brown sugar
100g sago
250ml whole milk
1000ml water, or as needed

Instructions

Prepare the Ginger, Date, and Brown Sugar Base

In a large pot, add the ginger slices, chopped red dates, and brown sugar.
Pour in 1000ml of water, then bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the brown sugar dissolves completely. This will help the ginger and dates infuse their flavors into the tea base.

Cook the Sago

Rinse the sago briefly with boiling water to remove impurities.
Drain the sago, then add it directly to the simmering ginger tea base. Stir continuously with a spoon to prevent the sago from clumping or sticking to the pot.
Maintain a steady medium heat and cook the sago for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. When the sago becomes nearly transparent with only a slight white center, it is almost ready.

Steam the Sago and Add Milk

Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the sago steam for 15 minutes. This step helps soften the sago fully, giving it a tender, chewy texture.
After steaming, pour 250ml of milk into the pot, stirring gently to blend it evenly with the ginger, date, and brown sugar base. The tea should take on a smooth, creamy color.

Serve and Enjoy

Pour the hot tea into cups and enjoy immediately, savoring its warming effects, especially on cold days. The combination of ginger, dates, and brown sugar with milk is both soothing and revitalizing.
If you want to prepare it to-go, allow the tea to cool slightly to about 60°C before transferring to a bottle. At this temperature, it’s warm without being too hot and can maintain a comfortable drinking temperature for some time.

Notes

Adjusting Ginger Flavor: Add more ginger slices if you prefer a stronger, spicier kick, but keep in mind that too much ginger can add a bit of sharpness to the flavor.
Avoid Overcooking the Milk: After adding the milk, avoid bringing it to a full boil to prevent the milk’s texture and nutrients from degrading.
Sago Consistency: Stirring continuously while cooking sago prevents clumping and ensures even cooking.
Brown Sugar Ginger Tea With Milk

This warm, comforting Brown Sugar Ginger Milk Tea combines the earthy sweetness of brown sugar with the spiciness of ginger, enriched by the softness of red dates and the smooth creaminess of milk. Perfect for cold weather, this tea is both soothing and nourishing, making it an ideal drink for anyone looking to enjoy a homemade, traditional Chinese-inspired treat.

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Course: Chinese Dessert Soup
Cuisine: Chinese

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 330kcal
Ingredients
30 g fresh ginger slices about 4–8 slices, adjust for desired ginger strength
6 pitted red dates chopped
40 g brown sugar
100 g sago
250 ml whole milk
1000 ml water or as needed
Instructions
Prepare the Ginger, Date, and Brown Sugar Base
In a large pot, add the ginger slices, chopped red dates, and brown sugar.
Pour in 1000ml of water, then bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the brown sugar dissolves completely. This will help the ginger and dates infuse their flavors into the tea base.
Cook the Sago
Rinse the sago briefly with boiling water to remove impurities.
Drain the sago, then add it directly to the simmering ginger tea base. Stir continuously with a spoon to prevent the sago from clumping or sticking to the pot.
Maintain a steady medium heat and cook the sago for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. When the sago becomes nearly transparent with only a slight white center, it is almost ready.
Steam the Sago and Add Milk
Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the sago steam for 15 minutes. This step helps soften the sago fully, giving it a tender, chewy texture.
After steaming, pour 250ml of milk into the pot, stirring gently to blend it evenly with the ginger, date, and brown sugar base. The tea should take on a smooth, creamy color.
Serve and Enjoy
Pour the hot tea into cups and enjoy immediately, savoring its warming effects, especially on cold days. The combination of ginger, dates, and brown sugar with milk is both soothing and revitalizing.
If you want to prepare it to-go, allow the tea to cool slightly to about 60°C before transferring to a bottle. At this temperature, it's warm without being too hot and can maintain a comfortable drinking temperature for some time.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Do you make this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @yumofchina.

Nutrition
Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 420mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 211IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 201mg | Iron: 1mg