To make Thai iced tea, steep ¼ cup Thai tea mix in 2 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes, then strain. Stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar and 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. Pour over a tall glass of ice and top with a splash of evaporated milk. Makes 2 servings.
Thai Iced Tea Recipe
Makes: 2 servings · Prep: 5 minutes · Steep: 5 minutes · Chill: optional, 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- ¼ cup Thai tea mix (or see the loose-leaf option below)
- 3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 2 to 4 tablespoons evaporated milk or half-and-half, for topping
- Ice
Instructions
- Boil the water. Bring 2 cups of water to a full boil.
- Steep the tea. Add the Thai tea mix, stir, and steep for 5 minutes. Thai tea is meant to be strong, because ice and milk will soften it.
- Strain. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer or tea sock to remove all the leaves.
- Sweeten while hot. Stir in the sugar and sweetened condensed milk until fully dissolved.
- Cool. Let it cool to room temperature, or chill for 30 minutes so the ice doesn't melt as fast.
- Serve. Fill two tall glasses with ice, pour in the tea, and float the evaporated milk or half-and-half on top. Stir before drinking.
No Thai Tea Mix? Use Loose Black Tea
Commercial Thai tea mix is black tea with spices and, usually, orange food coloring. You can make a version at home without the coloring: steep 2 tablespoons of strong loose black tea with 1 star anise and 2 lightly crushed cardamom pods in the same 2 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes. The color will be a natural amber instead of bright orange, and the flavor is just as good. Browse our black teas for a strong base.
What Is Thai Tea?
Thai tea (ชาเย็น, cha yen) is a traditional Thai drink served cold over ice. It's made from a strong brew of spiced black tea, sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, and topped with evaporated milk for a creamy finish. It's a favorite treat on its own and alongside spicy Thai food.
What's in Thai Iced Tea?
- Black tea: Usually a Thai tea mix, which often includes spices like star anise and cardamom plus food coloring.
- Sugar: For sweetness.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and body.
- Evaporated milk or half-and-half: The creamy layer on top.
- Ice: Lots of it.
Thai Milk Tea vs. Thai Iced Tea
They're essentially the same drink. “Thai milk tea” usually refers to the creamy version described here. In Thailand, street vendors typically use sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk, while many U.S. restaurants top it with half-and-half.
Variations
- Dairy-free: Swap the condensed and evaporated milk for sweetened coconut condensed milk and coconut milk.
- Less sweet: Start with 1 tablespoon each of sugar and condensed milk, then adjust.
- Thai tea latte: Serve the sweetened tea hot with steamed milk.
- Boba: Add cooked tapioca pearls to the glass before pouring.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Thai tea healthy?
- Thai tea is high in sugar and calories because of the sugar and condensed milk, so it's best enjoyed as an occasional treat. Cutting the sweeteners in half makes a lighter version.
- Does Thai tea have caffeine?
- Yes. It's made from black tea, so a glass has a moderate amount of caffeine.
- Why is Thai tea orange?
- Most commercial Thai tea mixes include food coloring. Tea brewed without it is a deep amber color.
- How long does Thai tea keep?
- Store the sweetened tea, without ice, in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add ice and the milk topping when serving.