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 flavors that are very traditional.
Want to try more Tea recipes, here are some of my favorites – Apple Iced Tea, Lemon Tea, Hibiscus Tea, Strawberry Tea, Mango Iced Tea, Turmeric Ginger Tea, and Herbal Saffron Tea.
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About This Recipe
Thai Iced Tea 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 its refreshing taste and easy 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!
The colour of the Thai tea mix is from the yellow dye added to the tea which makes the brewed tea orange.
Thai Tea recipe is definitely a different beverage that will surprise your palate this summer. Plus making this drink at home from scratch is super easy and just takes a few minutes. 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 it gives Starbucks a run for its money!
The calorie count in Thai 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 low-fat milk.
This Thai Iced Tea Recipe is
- Refreshing
- Chilled
- Strong
- Creamy
- Easy to make
- Traditional
- Economical
Ingredients
Tea – This tea is made up of strongly brewed black tea. You will need a Thai Tea mix for this one.
I used these tea leaves which I sourced from Amazon. It has a hint of vanilla, star anise, and very typical orange color 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 color will not affect the taste in any which ways. Check your nearest Asian store as well to source this mix.
Spices – The tea is flavored with some spices like cinnamon and cardamom. When added to boiling water, they release a nice flavor and aroma.
Condensed Milk – It is sweetened with condensed milk. You can easily find condensed milk in your nearby grocery store.
Sugar – You can adjust the amount of sugar in this drink according to your taste. Do not go overboard with the same, as condensed milk is also sweet.
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.
Step By Step Recipe
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 full.
Top with condensed milk or the whitener of your choice.
Stir well and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Different people have different choices of 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 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.
The base of this 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.
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!
Yes, you can prepare Thai Iced Green Tea too. It’s made using Matcha Green Tea and is actually green in color and the process to make it is quite similar to this one. Except that the tea leaves to make Thai green tea are different.
Both the Tea uses black tea leaves, but Thai Tea is further flavored with spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. Also, Thai Tea uses condensed milk or other creamers, unlike regular Black Tea,
Storage Suggestions
Ideally, this tea is brewed fresh. But you can definitely refrigerate it for up to 2-4 days.
Just add it over a glass filled with ice and add condensed milk to sweeten.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this refreshing Thai Iced Tea on its own for an evening drink or to have in between the meals. You can also serve it on the side to sip with your delicious Thai meals.
I like to serve this Thai Iced Tea on the side with a refreshing meal of Thai Green Curry, Jasmine Rice, Pad Thai Noodles, and Thai Squash Fritters, which I love to make on weekends for my family.
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Recipe Card
Thai Iced Tea Recipe
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
- 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 full.
- Top with condensed milk.
- Stir well and serve.
Amrita Iyer
Bookmarking this recipe Neha!Its gorgeous!
Neha Mathur
Thnx. Do try. You will love it.