How to Color Tapioca Pearls

You can spruce up a martini with tapioca pearls

Tapioca is the starch from the cassava plant that most often acts as a thickener in cooking and baking. The most common form of tapioca are tapioca pearls that can be made into puddings, added to thicken juices in pies. However, bartenders have been coloring large tapioca pearls with drink mixes, flavorings or alcohol and adding them to drinks. This not only makes the drink look more appealing, but it adds a contrast in flavor and texture.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Large tapioca pearls
• Pot
• Bowl
• Grenadine
• Black rum
• Crème de menthe
• Colored drink syrups

Instructions

1. Boil seven cups of water on high heat.

2. Add one cup of large tapioca pearls to the boiling water and cover the pot. Boil the tapioca pearls for 15 minutes.

3. Turn off the heat and let the tapioca sit in the water for 15 minutes.

4. Pour the contents of the pot into the sink, using a colander to catch the large tapioca pearls.

5. Rinse the tapioca pearls in warm water and put them in a separate bowl.

6. Cover the tapioca pearls with one of the following liquids so that the pearls are completely covered. Let them soak in a refrigerator overnight or until the pearls pick up the color of the liquid. Use grenadine to make red pearls. Use green crème de menthe to make green pearls. Use black rum to make dark brown pearls. Use colored drink syrups to make other colors such as blue raspberry to make blue pearls.

7. Use a colander to separate the pearls from the syrups and liquids. Add the pearls to your favorite cocktails or serve them alone.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with colors by mixing drink-syrups, alcohol and food dye.

References

• Knowing Food: Tapioca Recipes
• Bubble Tea Supply: Bubble Tea Recipes
• Dabbled: Halloween Cocktails