Learn how to make Authentic Thai Iced Tea from scratch using this very simple recipe. The resulting Thai tea is refreshing, creamy and packed with flavours that are very traditional. Here is a video recipe of how to make Thai Iced Tea Recipe.
An altogether different beverage to try this summer, here’s presenting the quick process to make Authentic Thai Iced Tea from scratch at your very own abode within minutes.
Whenever I make a Thai style meal like Panang Curry or Thai Basil Chicken, I make this Thai Tea to go along with it.
This Thai tea recipe is locally called as Cha Yen and is no more restricted to Thailand now. This sweet creamy drink has now become popular in Thai restaurants worldwide, thanks to it’s refreshing taste and easy to make process.
Strong, concentrated and delish, Thai Iced Tea has a dollop of sweetened condensed milk made more flavourful with water, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon and black tea leaves – a true blue Thai treat!
I am not a tea or a black tea person because I love a shot of my homemade Indian Style Cappuccino more than anything else.
But come summer, and oh, that love for a hot cuppa coffee takes a backseat. That’s when I devour my soothing batch of Lemon Iced Tea, Mango Iced Tea, Nutella Iced Coffee and Vietnamese Iced Coffee and feel like I am in heaven minus the scorching heat.
However, after tasting and trying Thai Iced Tea once at a Thai restaurant and another time at an Asian market in Singapore, my opinion on tea completely changed because this beverage is so damn lip-smacking and different from the regular iced teas that we had.
Thai Tea recipe is definitely a different beverage that will surprise your palate this summer. Making Authentic Thai iced Tea Recipe at home from Scratch is super easy and just takes a few minutes.
The only thing that will take some time is sourcing the black Thai Tea Mix which gives it a very distinct taste and colour. The color of the Thai tea Mix is from the yellow dye added to the tea which makes the brewed tea orange. You can either try to get the Thai tea leaves from your local asian grocery store or order it online here.
But trust me guys, once you start to make it at home, there is no looking back. You can save dollars by making it at home and can devour gallons of it without thinking twice. And plus give Starbucks a run for it’s money. This homemade Thai Iced Tea is no less than what you get at the Starbucks after paying those Dollars.
I used these tea leaves which I sourced from Amazon. It has a hint of vanilla, star anise and a very typical orange colour which is what you will find in the tea served at traditional Thai restaurants.
But don’t be disheartened if you are not able to source this tea. Any black tea will do in this recipe. You can add a few drops of vanilla extract and one star anise to make the taste closer to the real deal and the colour will not affect the taste in any which ways.
Now coming to the cream part. Different people have different choice about the cream. You can use half and half, full cream, coconut cream, evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk as your choice of creamer.
I am a big fan of using condensed milk in my Thai Iced Tea as it gives it a very earthy kind of sweetness and a creamy texture to the tea and I have seen most vendors using condensed milk as their choice of creamer too. But if you are looking for a low cal option, try using low fat milk instead.
Frequently served in various Thai eateries of Asian market, Thai Iced Tea has a nice flavour of cardamom, cinnamon. In case you want to make it more strong, you could also use star anise while boiling water with tea bag or tea leaves and then wait when you steep the tea.
What is Thai Iced Tea made up of?
Thai Iced Tea is made up of strongly brewed black tea. Some spices like star anise and cardamom are added to it. It is sweetened with condensed milk and some sugar and then served in a glass over lots of ice.
Sometimes vanilla, orange blossom water and crushed tamarind seeds are added to it too.
Some people add boba pearls to it and then it’s called bubble tea.
There is also a green version of this tea called Thai Green Tea. It’s actually green in colour and the process to make it is quite similar to this one. Except that the tea leaves to make thai green are different.
Why is Thai Tea orange in Colour?
Thai Tea is orange in colour as it have some red and yellow food colouring added to it.
How long does Thai Iced Tea last?
Ideally, this tea is brewed fresh. But you can definitely refrigerate it for upto 2-4 days. Just add it over glass filled with ice and add condensed milk to sweeten.
This Thai Tea Recipe is
- Refreshing
- Chilled
- Strong
- Creamy
- Easy to make
- Traditional
- Economical
How to make Thai Iced Tea Recipe?
To make Thai Iced Tea, tea leaves are seeped in boiling water along with spices like cinnamon and cardamom. You can also add star anise if you wish to, but I for some reason do not like it’s flavour so skipped it.
Once you cool the tea, all you need to do is add ice cubes or crushed ice in glasses, add the tea in it and top it with condensed milk. There you go, your glass of chilled, soothing Thai Iced Tea, is ready to be savoured.
The vendors in Thailand steep the tea, add condensed milk and evaporated milk to it and while the tea is still hot, they pour the tea from tumbler to another from a distance. This makes a nice froth over the tea.
They then pour this frothed tea over a glass filled with ice.Drizzle some more evaporated milk on top and then serve it.
Check out this video of a street vendor serving Thai Iced Tea at her stall.
You can also use black tea bags and save yourself the straining process.
How many calories in Thai Iced Tea?
Calorie count in Thai Iced Tea ranges from 300-400 calories in one serving. You can reduce the calories in your tea by either reducing the amount of condensed milk and sugar used or by replacing condensed milk with ow fat milk.
Does Thai Iced Tea have caffeine?
The base of Thai Iced Tea is Black tea which has 50-90 mg of caffeine per cup of tea. But since there are other ingredients added in the cup to make this tea, the amount is reduced to 30-50 mg of caffeine per cup.
How to make Vegan Thai Iced Tea?
To make Vegan Thai Iced Tea, you can replace condensed milk with coconut cream or cashew milk or for that matter any vegan milk or cream. It’s as easy as that 🙂
Where to buy Thai Tea mix?
You can check your nearest Asian store to source this mix. I bought it online here. However do not stress too much to source the tea. You can use any black tea leaves. Just add 2-3 drops of vanilla extract in your tea and the taste will be very much similar to the traditional one. The colour might vary a little bit, but who cares 🙂
If you are smitten by the love of Thai food just like yours truly then I would surely urge you to try Thai Iced Tea once and I bet you would love what you sip! Here is how to make it.
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How to make Thai Iced Tea Step By Step
Heat water in a pan along with cardamom and cinnamon.
Once the water comes to a boil, switch off the heat. Add the tea leaves and sugar and let them steep for 2-3 minutes.
Strain the tea.
Add ice in glasses.
Pour the tea until the glass is 3/4th fun.
Top with condensed milk or the whitener of your choice. Stir well and serve.
Thai Ice Tea Video Recipe
Homemade Thai Iced Tea Recipe
Thai Iced Tea
Learn how to make Authentic Thai Iced Tea from scratch using this very simple recipe. The resulting tea is refreshing, creamy and packed with flavours.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Water
- 2 Cardamom Crushed
- 1 inch Cinnamon Crushed
- 4 tsp Thai Tea Mix
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1/4 cup Condensed Milk
Instructions
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Heat water in a pan along with cardamom and cinnamon.
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Once the water comes to a boil, switch off the heat.
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Add the tea leaves and sugar and let them steep for 2-3 minutes.
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Strain the tea.
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Add ice in glasses.
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Pour the tea until the glass is 3/4th full.
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Top with condensed milk.
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Stir well and serve.
Recipe Notes
Use any Black Tea if Thai tea mix is not available.
In case you are using regular black tea, ass 2 drops of vanilla extract at the end and mix well.
Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste.
You ca more or less condensed milk according to your preference.
Are you making this recipe? I LOVE to see your creations so snap a photo and tag Whiskaffair on Instagram with the hashtag #Whiskaffair and please give a star rating below ★. You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more such easy recipes.
Amrita Iyer
Bookmarking this recipe Neha!Its gorgeous!
Neha Mathur
Thnx. Do try. You will love it.