How to Order Dairy Free Bubble Tea and What to Look Out For.
People think it’s hard to order dairy free bubble tea, but it’s not. The problem is the language selection on the menu. Words like “creamer” and “powder” can hide dairy, so even if the drink looks safe, it might not be.
I learned this the hard way. I used to think that “non-dairy” meant safe. Not always. Now I just ask one question.
This guide is for you if you want bubble tea without dairy that still tastes wonderful.
1. The 30-second rule for bubble tea without dairy
This is the quickest way to get dairy free bubble tea without overthinking it.
Step 1: Pick your base
Choose one:
- Fruit tea (usually the easiest)
- Brewed tea (black tea, green tea, oolong)
- Milk tea made with a plant milk (oat, soy, almond, coconut)
Step 2: Pick your milk (if you want it creamy)
Choose one if the shop has options:
- Oat milk: creamiest and most “classic milk tea” feel
- Soy milk: strong, balanced, very tea-friendly
- Almond milk: lighter, can taste nutty
- Coconut milk: bold flavour, best with tropical drinks
Step 3: Ask the one question that stops menu surprises
“Does this drink have any dairy in it, like milk powder, creamer, whey, or casein?”
If they say yes, follow with:
“Can you make it with oat milk and no milk powder or creamer?”
That’s it. That one question saves you from 90% of the nonsense.
The 3 key questions (plus what to say next)
Ask these once and you’ll know exactly what you’re ordering. No guessing, no awkward back-and-forth.
Question 1
“Does this drink include any dairy, like milk powder, creamer, whey, or casein?”
Question 2
“Is your non-dairy creamer actually dairy-free, or does it contain milk powder?”
Question 3
“Does the powder or mix contain milk powder or whey?”
2. The sneaky ingredients that contain dairy (even when the drink looks “safe”)
This is the part that gets people. A drink can look totally harmless and still contain dairy because of one ingredient added behind the counter.
This is also where I like to use BobaCal bubble tea calculator. The same things that hide dairy (creamer and powders) often quietly spike calories and sugar too, so I’ll run the drink through BobaCal before I order. If you want the bigger picture, my Ultimate Bubble Tea Calories Guide helps you spot the usual “calorie traps” across different drink styles.
Look for these words on menus
- Creamer
- Milk powder
- Cheese foam
- Milk cap
- Cream top
- Smoothie base
- Taro mix / taro powder
- Chai powder
- Chocolate powder
- “Signature” milk tea (often has a set creamer base)
The main culprit: “non-dairy creamer”
Treat this like a question mark.
Some “non-dairy creamers” are made from plants. Some still have ingredients that come from milk. Don’t make a guess.
People who don’t want to eat dairy are often told to read the ingredient lists carefully because “non-dairy” creamers can still have milk proteins like whey and casein in them. Under FDA allergen rules, milk proteins like casein and whey must be listed on the label.
Ask:
“Is your creamer dairy-free, or does it contain milk powder?”
The other trap: powdered drinks
Some matcha mixes, chai, and taro powders can contain milk powder. Even if you choose oat milk, the powder can add dairy back in.
Ask:
“Is the powder made with whey or milk powder?”
Foam toppings are usually dairy
Cheese foam and milk caps taste amazing, but they’re almost always dairy-based.
If you want the vibe without the dairy, ask:
“Do you have a dairy free foam option?”
Some places do. Most don’t. Still worth asking once.
3. The easiest dairy free bubble tea orders (that work in real life)
Start here if you want dairy free bubble tea and don’t want to talk for a long time. Most of the time, these orders work.
Option A: Juice-based fruit drinks
Look for menu sections like
- Lemonade
- Slush
- Fruit drink
- Sparkling tea (sometimes)
Ask the quick check:
“Is this juice-based, or brewed tea?”
If you want caffeine-free too, choose juice-based.
Option B: Brewed tea + fruit (no milk)
These are often called fruit tea, iced tea, or tea refreshers.
Your line:
“Can I get this with brewed green tea, no creamer, and no milk powder?”
Option C: Plant milk tea (made fresh)
This is the best “classic milk tea” swap.
Your line:
“Can you do this with oat milk and no creamer or milk powder?”
If they ask sweetness, you can add:
“Please make it 25% sweet.”
Option D: Build it and keep it simple
If the menu is confusing, build your own.
Try:
- Green tea + oat milk + pearls
- Black tea + soy milk + pearls
- Oolong + oat milk + grass jelly
You still get the boba feel without mystery ingredients.
4. How to pick a dairy free milk that tastes good in bubble tea
Not all plant milks work the same way in tea. Some taste smooth and warm. Some taste not so good. Here’s a quick guide to making your dairy free bubble tea still taste like a treat.
Oat milk
-my favourite for “classic milk tea” vibes
- Creamiest feel
- A little natural sweetness (great for lower sugar orders)
- Works best with black tea, oolong, and brown sugar style drinks
Order tip:
“Can I do oat milk and keep it 25% sweet?”
Soy milk
-best if you actually want to taste the tea
- Strong, balanced flavour
- Doesn’t get watery as easily
- Great for classic tea flavours
Best with: black tea, jasmine green tea, and roasted oolong.
Almond milk
-light and nutty
- Thinner texture
- Can taste very almond forward
- Works better in fruit-leaning drinks than heavy milk teas
If you choose almond, go smaller, and don’t overdo toppings.
Coconut milk
-bold and tropical
- Strong flavour
- Not “classic milk tea,” so think dessert drink instead
- Amazing with mango, pineapple, passionfruit, and taro style flavours
Quick rule: coconut is a flavour choice, not a neutral swap.
If you’ve never had dairy free bubble tea before, start with oat. It’s the safest option that still tastes like boba.
Dairy free milk swap cheat sheet
Quick pick for dairy free bubble tea. Choose the vibe you want, then order it once and enjoy.
Oat milk
Closest to classic milk tea
- Creamiest texture
- Light natural sweetness
- Best with black tea, oolong, brown sugar style
Soy milk
Best if you want to taste the tea
- Most tea friendly
- Balanced and not watery
- Great with jasmine green tea and roasted oolong
Almond milk
Light, nutty, a bit thinner
- Go smaller if you can
- Pairs best with fruit leaning drinks
- Skip heavy toppings for better texture
Coconut milk
Tropical dessert vibes
- Big flavour on purpose
- Best with mango, pineapple, passionfruit, taro style
- Not a neutral swap, it changes the drink
5. Toppings: what’s usually dairy free
Good news. Most toppings don’t contain dairy. They just make the drink more fun.
Usually dairy free
- Tapioca pearls
- Crystal boba
- Grass jelly
- Aloe vera
- Lychee jelly, mango jelly, coffee jelly
- Popping boba (usually dairy free, but check if you’re strict)
Often contains dairy
- Pudding
- Custard
- “Cream” toppings
- Cheese foam / milk cap
- Whipped cream
One sneaky detail: how pearls are cooked
Most pearls are dairy free. But some shops cook them in honey.
If you’re strict vegan, ask:
“Are the pearls cooked with honey or just brown sugar?”
Your best internal link here is your Bubble Tea Toppings Guide if you want more ideas that keep the drink feeling like a treat.
6. The exact words to say when you order
This is the part I wish every menu came with. These lines work. You can literally read them off your phone.
If you want milk tea without dairy
“Can you make this with oat milk, and please, no creamer or milk powder?”
If you’re worried about “non dairy creamer”
“Is your non dairy creamer actually dairy free, or does it contain milk powder?”
If the drink uses powders
-taro, chai, chocolate, some matcha mixes
“Does the powder contain milk powder or whey? If yes, can I switch to a brewed tea version with oat milk?”
If you want no dairy and no caffeine
“Is this juice based or brewed tea? If it’s brewed tea, can I get the juice based version?”
If you want to keep it sleep-friendly
“Can you make it a light brew, small size, and 25% sweetness?”
7. Orders for bubble tea that don’t have dairy that usually work
If you want dairy free bubble tea without having to talk your way through the menu, start here. These are the most “real life” orders I use when I just want my drink and my peace.
Option A: Fruit drinks made with juice
These are ideal when you don’t want any dairy and don’t want milk powder sneaking in.
How to order:
“Is this brewed tea or juice-based? If you have a juice-based version, I’ll do that.”
Option B: Fruit tea made with brewed tea (no milk, still refreshing)
Perfect if you want the taste of tea without anything creamy.
How to order:
“Can I do this with green tea, and no creamer or milk powder?”
Option C: Plain milk tea, but only plant milk
This is the “I want real boba” order.
How to order:
“Can you make this with oat milk and no creamer or milk powder?”
Option D: Brown sugar style is a dairy-free option that remains sweet.
Oat milk is the easiest way to keep that classic milk tea vibe – just without the dairy.
How to order:
“Oat milk, no creamer or milk powder, and 25% sweet, please.”
Option E: Matcha (but still no dairy)
This only works if the shop uses pure matcha, not a pre-mixed powder with milk.
How to order:
“Is your matcha a pure powder, or does it contain milk powder? If it’s pure, can you make it with oat milk?”
Quick defaults (save these):
- If they ask sweetness: “25% sweet.”
- If they ask toppings: pearls, grass jelly, or crystal boba (usually safe and still fun).
8. The dairy free bubble tea checklist
Before I pay, I run this quick mental list. It stops the “wait… why does this taste creamy?” moment.
If you’re tracking sugar or calories as well, I’d quickly check it in BobaCal bubble tea calculator before you order, then compare it with the swaps in my Ultimate Bubble Tea Calories Guide
Ask about the base
- “Does this have milk powder or creamer in it?”
- “Is this made with brewed tea, or a powder mix?”
Watch for the usual dairy traps
- Non-dairy creamer (it can still contain milk ingredients)
- Milk powder, whey, casein
- Cheese foam, milk cap, cream top
- Powder mixes (taro, chai, hot chocolate, and some matcha blends)
If the staff seems unsure, say this
“No worries – I’m avoiding dairy. Can you check if it contains milk powder, whey, or casein?”
If you’re very sensitive or allergic
One more line matters:
“Can you also check for cross-contact? I’m allergic, not just avoiding it.”
And one last thing: “fruit tea” isn’t a guarantee.
Some shops mean brewed tea + fruit syrup (caffeine + tea). Others mean juice. That’s why asking once works every time.
9. Questions about bubble tea that doesn’t include dairy
As a Brit living in NYC, I can find bubble tea almost anywhere. The only thing that bothers me is the way the menu is worded. Even if the drink looks safe, “creamer” and “powder” can hide dairy. These FAQs are the short answers I wish I had known before.
Is there milk in bubble tea?
Sometimes. Fruit teas and juice based drinks are often dairy free. Classic milk teas usually are not unless you swap to plant milk and confirm there is no creamer or milk powder.
Are tapioca pearls dairy free?
Usually, yes. Tapioca pearls are typically made from tapioca starch, sugar, and water. The main thing to double check is how they’re cooked. Some shops use honey.
If you’re a strict vegan, ask:
“Are the pearls cooked with honey or just brown sugar?”
Is taro bubble tea dairy free?
Not always by default. A lot of taro drinks use a powder or mix that can contain milk powder. Even if you choose oat milk, the powder can add dairy back in.
Ask:
“Does the taro powder contain milk powder or whey?”
Is matcha bubble tea dairy free?
It can be, but it depends on the matcha. Some shops use pure matcha. Others use a sweetened matcha mix that can contain milk ingredients.
Ask:
“Is your matcha pure, or does it contain milk powder?”
Is non dairy creamer actually dairy free?
Not always. “Non dairy” is marketing language, not a guarantee. Some creamers still contain milk derived ingredients.
Ask:
“Is your non dairy creamer dairy free, or does it contain milk powder?”
What’s the best milk for dairy free bubble tea?
If you want the closest thing to classic milk tea, start with oat milk. If you want a stronger tea flavour, soy is usually the best pick.
10. Quick summary
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
- Dairy usually sneaks in through creamer, milk powder, or powders
- Fruit tea is not always juice, so ask once
- Oat milk is the easiest “this still tastes like boba” swap
Your one question:
“Does this have any dairy in it, like milk powder, creamer, whey, or casein?”
If the answer is yes:
“Can you make it with oat milk and no milk powder or creamer?”
11. Use BobaCal before you order
If you’re choosing between two drinks, the BobaCal bubble tea calculator is the fastest reality check. Creamer and powders can hide dairy, and they can also quietly spike calories and sugar.
When I’m deciding, I’ll usually do this:
- Plug in the drink I want
- Swap to oat milk if needed
- Set sweetness to 25%
- Compare it to a juice based option if I want something lighter
If you want a more detailed cheat sheet for what usually runs high, my Ultimate Bubble Tea Calories Guide shows you the patterns clearly.
12. My last sip
Ordering bubble tea without dairy is easy. The language on the menu makes it seem hard.
This is how to stop making guesses. Choose the drink you want. If you want it creamy, choose the plant milk. Then, before you order, ask one question:
“Does this have any dairy in it, like milk powder, cream, whey, or casein?”
If the answer is yes, what you do next is easy:
“Can you make it with oat milk and no creamer or milk powder?”
That’s all. No drama. You don’t need to do any detective work. Just boba that tastes good and is what you ordered.
