Even the ghosts and ghouls enjoy a delicious sip, like this play on dearly departed featuring black tea! This skull milk tea is the perfect choice for a non-alcoholic Halloween sip, featuring brown sugar skulls (or boba) for a drink that’s sweet, creamy, and great for spooky season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Brown sugar milk tea is easy to love because it delivers comforting, café-style flavor. My version includes the use of brown sugar ice cube skulls which not only add flavor, but also a fun Halloween twist to the drink!
The combination of creamy milk, black tea, and rich brown sugar creates a naturally sweet, dessert-like drink that feels indulgent without needing toppings. It’s super customizable too, as you can use plant-based milk to make it non dairy, or swap in jelly skulls instead for a boba-like feel!
When you’re craving a refreshing iced drink with a spooky theme perfect for Halloween, this skull milk tea is the perfect choice, and a great non-alcoholic option that’s still festive and fun!
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Ingredients List
- ½ cup milk of choice or half and half
- 1 black tea bag
- ½ cup water
- Regular ice (crushed or cubes)
- ¼ cup brown sugar skull ice cubes (see below)
Brown Sugar Skull Ice Cubes
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- Skull ice cube mold (I use a combination of mini skull molds and skull ice cube molds)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You could also use green tea instead of black tea, or substitute ½ cup of cold brew for a brown sugar iced coffee variation!
- For a sweeter drink, you can add some brown sugar syrup inside the glass, or an extra 1 Tbsp of brown sugar to the bottom of the glass when assembling
- Want to try a boozy version? Add 1-2 ounces of Rumchata in place of some of the milk!
Boba Variation
Feel free to add some brown sugar boba pearls to your drink, or make jelly skulls instead of ice cubes!
To do this, combine ½ cup dark brown sugar, ½ cup water, and 1 packet (1 Tbsp) plain gelatin such as Knox in a bowl. Let stand for 1-2 minutes. Boil another ½ cup water, then pour in and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Pour into skull molds and refrigerate for around 3 hours, or until firm.
Step By Step Instructions
- To make the brown sugar ice cubes, boil 2 cups of water (I use a 1000W microwave and it takes about 4 minutes). Then stir in the dark brown sugar until completely dissolved. Pour into your skull molds (I recommend placing a baking sheet under it to catch drips) and freeze until solid, anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on the size of your molds. This can be done in advance!
- Prepare the black tea by boiling ½ cup water. Add the tea bag, and allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes, stirring or dunking occasionally. Discard the tea bag and allow the tea to cool. This step may also be done in advance
- Add any extra sweeteners desired to your glass, then pour in the tea
- Fill the glass with ice (leave a little room at the top), then top with your milk of choice
- Finish with the brown sugar skull ice cubes, and serve with a straw or stir stick. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Desserts
- Mummy Oreos
- Ghost sugar cookies
- Candy corn shortbread
- Pumpkin spice or black and orange macarons
- Black cocoa brownies
- Mini caramel-dipped apples. Try my Caramel Apple Broomsticks for a themed treat!
- Chocolate Strawberry Skulls. Sweet, on theme, and you can even use the same mold!
Savory Bites
- “Witch finger” breadsticks with herbed dip
- Jack-o’-lantern puff pastry bites
- Pumpkin-shaped grilled cheese sliders
- Chocolate-dipped pretzel rods with Halloween sprinkles
- Skull Caprese Salad, perfect for a spooky appetizer, and you can reuse the molds!
Recipe FAQs
What Happens When Tea Reacts With Milk?
When milk is added to tea, the proteins in the milk bind to tannins in the tea, reducing bitterness and creating a smoother, creamier flavor. This reaction also changes the color and gives the drink a more velvety texture.
What Is Skull Milk Tea?
Skull milk tea is a Halloween-themed twist on milk tea where the drink is served with skull-shaped ice cubes, jellies, or similar garnishes. It’s more about presentation than recipe changes, and it can be made with or without boba.
What Else Are Sugar Ice Cubes Good For?
Sugar ice cubes are great for sweetening drinks gradually without stirring. They work well in iced coffee, cocktails, lemonade, matcha lattes, or flavored milk drinks and can be customized with spices, syrups, or edible glitter for special occasions.
Tips For the Best Skull Milk Tea
- Don’t oversteep your tea, as that can result in it being bitter
- This recipe scales very easily, so feel free to make a big batch of tea and skull ice cubes in advance (store in a pitcher in the refrigerator and in the freezer respectively). Then, just fill individual glasses before serving!
- The ice cubes will feel a little tacky when they come out – this is normal since there is sugar in them. As long as they’re actually frozen (don’t bend or break) you’re good to go!
Serving and Presentation
- Serve in clear glasses or mason jars to show off the brown sugar skulls (or a themed skull mug for fun)!
- Add a simple garnish like a cinnamon stick, dried orange slice, or dollop of whipped cream for extra fun
- Serve on a dark or themed tray to highlight the colors (add some Halloween decorations or spider webs for extra spookiness)!
- Use black or paper straws with subtle Halloween accents (like bats or stripes) to add extra theming
More Non-Alcoholic Halloween Drinks
- Halloween Smoothie
- Frankenstein Floats
- Pumpkin Floats
Final Thoughts
This dearly depar-tead is such a fun non-alcoholic drink option for Halloween! You could enjoy it for a fun themed breakfast beverage or dessert, and it’s super customizable with different types of tea and milk to make it your own.
Brown sugar skulls not only add the spooky theme, but also sweetness and flavor to the drink. You could experiment with other flavors and food colorings as well if you wanted, to make your ultimate spooky sip! Not a fan of tea? Swap in cold brew coffee (decaf is fine too)!
I also love that it’s easy to make the tea and the ice in advance, so all you need to do is throw together the drink when you’re ready. It scales easily too, making it a perfect party beverage (and great for adding some pep to your step for a long night of trick or treating)!
Halloween Skull Milk Tea (Dearly Depar-Tea’d)
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl (or measuring cup)
- Highball glass (or similar)
- Mini silicone skull mold (or skull ice cube mold)
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk of choice or half and half
- 1 black tea bag
- ½ cup water
- Ice (crushed or cubes)
- ¼ cup brown sugar skull ice
For the Brown Sugar Skull Ice
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
Instructions
- To make the brown sugar ice cubes, boil 2 cups of water (I use a 1000W microwave and it takes about 4 minutes). Then stir in the dark brown sugar until completely dissolved. Pour into your skull molds (I recommend placing a baking sheet under it to catch drips) and freeze until solid, anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on the size of your molds. This can be done in advance, and should make enough ice for 2-3 drinks2 cups water, ½ cup dark brown sugar
- Prepare the black tea by boiling ½ cup water. Add the tea bag, and allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes, stirring or dunking occasionally. Discard the tea bag and allow the tea to cool. This step may also be done in advance½ cup water, 1 black tea bag
- Add any extra sweeteners desired to your glass, then pour in the cooled tea
- Fill the glass with ice (leave a little room at the top), then top with your milk of choiceIce, ½ cup milk of choice
- Finish with the brown sugar skull ice cubes, and serve with a straw. Enjoy!¼ cup brown sugar skull ice
Notes
- You could also use green tea instead of black tea, or substitute ½ cup of cold brew coffee for a brown sugar iced coffee variation!
- For a sweeter drink, you can add some brown sugar syrup inside the glass, or an extra 1 Tbsp of brown sugar to the bottom of the glass when assembling (but I personally don’t find it necessary)
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any additions, glass size, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
