Thai Tea Recipe (Authentic & Easy)

Welcome! If you’ve been searching for the perfect thai tea recipe, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through creating that iconic, creamy, and vibrant orange drink you love from your favorite Thai restaurant, right in your own kitchen. We’ll cover everything from the traditional mix to a thai tea recipe from scratch, ensuring you get an authentic and delicious result every time. This is more than just a recipe; it’s your complete guide to mastering the art of Thai milk tea.

This easy thai tea recipe is designed to be straightforward, delivering that rich, spiced flavor that perfectly balances sweetness and creaminess. Whether you know it as Thai iced tea or Thai milk tea, this recipe will help you satisfy your cravings and save money on endless takeout cups. Let’s get brewing!

What is Thai Tea?

Thai tea, known as “Cha Yen” (ชาเย็น) in Thailand, is a popular beverage made from strongly brewed black tea, spices, sugar, and a creamy milk component. Its most recognizable feature is its vibrant, deep-orange color. This color traditionally comes from a specific thai tea mix recipe that includes food coloring. The flavor profile is unique—boldly tea-forward with notes of vanilla, star anise, and other warm spices, all mellowed by a generous swirl of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. It’s most often served over a tall glass of ice, making it the ultimate refreshing treat, especially alongside spicy Thai food.

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Thai Tea Recipe (Authentic & Easy)

Learn how to make the best thai tea recipe with our easy, step-by-step guide. This authentic thai iced tea recipe tastes just like the one from your favorite restaurant, using a traditional mix and creamy sweetened condensed milk.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Beverages, Drinks

Cuisine: Asian, Thai

Calories: 210

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup Thai Tea Mix such as ChaTraMue brand
• 4 cups Water
• 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar or to taste
• 1/8 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk per serving
• 2-3 tbsp Evaporated Milk per serving
• Ice lots of it

Equipment

• 1 Medium Pot
• 1 Fine-Mesh Strainer or Cloth Filter
• 1 Pitcher or Jar for storage

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Method

 

For the Thai Tea Base

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot. Add 1 cup of Thai tea mix, reduce the heat, and let it gently simmer for about 3-5 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the tea to steep for at least 30 minutes to develop a deep, concentrated flavor.
3. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or a cloth tea filter to remove all the tea leaves. Press gently to extract all the liquid.
4. While the tea is still warm, stir in ¼ cup of sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of salt until completely dissolved. Let the tea base cool to room temperature before assembling or storing.

To Assemble One Glass

1. Pack a tall (pint-sized) glass completely full of ice.
2. In a separate mixing glass, pour ¾ cup of your chilled Thai tea base. Stir in 1 ½ tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk until it’s fully combined.
3. Pour the sweetened tea mixture over the glass of ice.
4. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of evaporated milk over the top. Stir before enjoying.

Notes

For a creamier tea, feel free to add more sweetened condensed milk. For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar in the tea base. The tea base can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Keyword thai iced tea recipe,thai milk tea recipe,thai tea recipe

Why You’ll Love This Authentic Thai Iced Tea Recipe

• Authentic Flavor: This recipe is designed to taste just like the authentic thai tea recipe served in Thai restaurants across America and in Thailand. We’re using the key ingredients that deliver that signature taste.
• Incredibly Easy: With just a few simple steps, you can brew a large batch of tea base to enjoy for days. It’s a simple, no-fuss process.
• Fully Customizable: You control the sweetness and creaminess. We’ll provide the classic formula, but you can easily adjust it to your liking, whether you want less sugar or a dairy-free version.
• Saves Money: A single glass of Thai iced tea can be expensive. Making it at home is incredibly cost-effective and allows you to have a bottomless pitcher on hand.

The Great Debate: Traditional Mix vs. From Scratch

When making this drink, you have two main paths: using a pre-made Thai tea mix or making it from scratch. Here’s the breakdown:

Using a Thai Tea Mix: This is the most common method used by restaurants and the easiest way to achieve that classic, authentic flavor and color. Brands like ChaTraMue (Number One Brand) or Cha Thai are go-to choices and contain black tea, vanilla flavoring, and food dye for that signature orange hue. This is the method we’ll focus on for our primary recipe for that true recipe for thai iced tea experience.

Making Thai Tea From Scratch: For those who want more control over the ingredients or wish to avoid artificial coloring, the “from scratch” method is a fantastic option. This involves brewing strong black tea and adding your own whole spices like star anise, cardamom, and a cinnamon stick. To achieve a natural orange color, a pinch of turmeric can be used. While it requires a few more ingredients, this thai tea recipe from scratch is a wonderful, healthy alternative.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Thai Milk Tea

To create the best thai milk tea recipe, you need a few key components. This ingredient list is a consolidation of what the most popular and authentic recipes use.

• Thai Tea Mix: The heart of the recipe. We recommend the ChaTraMue brand for the most authentic taste. If you can’t find it, other brands like Pantai will also work.
• Water: For brewing the tea.
• Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the tea base. You can adjust the amount based on how sweet you like your tea.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is non-negotiable for that classic, rich, and sweet flavor. It dissolves beautifully into the tea.
• Evaporated Milk: Poured over the top, this adds a final layer of creaminess without adding too much extra sweetness.
• Salt: Just a tiny pinch! This is a secret trick used in Thailand to balance the sweetness and make the flavors pop.
• Ice: You’ll need lots of it! The tea is poured over a packed glass of ice.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Thai Tea at Home

This easy thai tea recipe shows you how to make a tea concentrate, or base, which you can store in the fridge. This way, you can whip up a single glass of fresh thai iced tea whenever the craving strikes.

For the Tea Base (makes about 4 servings):

1. Brew the Tea: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot. Add 1 cup of Thai tea mix, reduce the heat, and let it gently simmer for about 3-5 minutes.
2. Steep for Flavor: Remove the pot from the heat. Allow the tea to steep for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for developing a deep, concentrated flavor.
3. Strain the Tea: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or a cloth tea filter to remove all the tea leaves. Press gently to extract all the liquid.
4. Sweeten the Base: While the tea is still warm, stir in ¼ cup of sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of salt until completely dissolved. Let the tea base cool to room temperature. You can also chill it in the refrigerator.

To Assemble One Glass of Thai Iced Tea:

1. Fill Your Glass: Pack a tall (pint-sized) glass completely full of ice.
2. Mix the Tea: In a separate mixing glass, pour ¾ cup of your chilled Thai tea base. Stir in 1 ½ tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk until it’s fully combined.
3. Pour and Top: Pour the sweetened tea mixture over the ice.
4. Finish with Cream: Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of evaporated milk over the top. Watch the beautiful cascade effect, then stir and enjoy!

Pro Tips for Restaurant-Quality Thai Tea

• Don’t Over-Steep: Steeping the tea for too long can make it bitter. 30-40 minutes is the sweet spot. If it does become bitter, you can dilute it with a little more water.
• Brew it Strong: Your tea base needs to be potent because the ice and milk will dilute it. Don’t be shy with the tea leaves!
• Cool Before Serving: Always let your tea concentrate cool down before pouring it over ice. Pouring hot tea over ice will melt it too quickly and result in a watery drink.
• Use Good Quality Milk: For the richest flavor, use full-fat sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. The quality of your dairy makes a big difference. For a healthier tea, you might try this Turmeric Milk recipe.

Delicious Thai Tea Recipe Variations

• Thai Tea from Scratch: For a thai tea recipe authentic version without the mix, simmer 4 cups of water with 6 black tea bags, 2 star anise, 1 smashed cardamom pod, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2 tsp of turmeric (for color) for 5 minutes. Strain and sweeten as desired, then assemble with milk.
• Vegan Thai Tea: This is an easy swap! Use full-fat canned coconut milk or a high-quality, creamy oat milk in place of the evaporated and sweetened condensed milk. You can find vegan sweetened condensed milk made from coconut or oat milk at many stores.
• Thai Green Tea Recipe: You can also find Thai green tea mixes from the same brands. The process is identical, resulting in a beautiful green milk tea with a slightly different but equally delicious flavor.
• Thai Bubble Tea (Boba): Prepare boba (tapioca pearls) according to the package directions. Add a scoop to the bottom of your glass before adding the ice and tea for a delicious thai tea boba recipe.
• Try it with Ginger: For an extra kick, consider a homemade Ginger Syrup to sweeten your tea.

Storing Your Homemade Thai Tea

One of the best parts of this recipe for thai tea is making a big batch. You can store the cooled, strained, and sweetened tea base in a sealed pitcher or glass jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Keep the milk separate and only add it when you’re ready to serve each glass. This ensures your tea stays fresh and delicious. If you enjoy teas for their health benefits, you may also be interested in our Lemon Balm Tea recipe or this Cinnamon Tea recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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If you enjoyed this thai iced tea recipe easy guide, you’ll love exploring our other delicious and healthy drink recipes!

• Green Juice Recipe for Weight Loss
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Enjoy Your Perfect Cup of Thai Tea!

There’s nothing better than a tall, creamy glass of homemade Thai iced tea. We hope this comprehensive guide has empowered you to make the perfect batch at home. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

Did you try this thai tea recipe? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @finger_licking_recipes and share your creation on Pinterest @finger_licking_recipes. What’s your favorite occasion to enjoy a glass of Thai tea? Let us know in the comments below!