Easy Thai Iced Tea Recipe

There's something magical about the first sip of Thai iced tea – that creamy, sweet chill paired with warm, aromatic spices instantly transports you to a bustling Bangkok street market. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering it, this vibrant orange drink is the perfect balance of indulgence and refreshment.

I first fell in love with Thai iced tea at a tiny family-run Thai restaurant near my college campus. Ever since then, I’ve been chasing that same creamy, spiced flavor – and after some experimenting in my kitchen, I’ve finally perfected a version that’s both easy to make and irresistibly delicious.

Let me show you how simple it is to recreate this treat at home.

Why You'll Love This Easy Thai Iced Tea

Get ready to enjoy one of the most iconic beverages in Southeast Asian cuisine – no trip to a restaurant required. This Easy Thai Iced Tea has all the flavor and richness you love, with none of the fuss.

First off, it’s incredibly simple to make. With just a few ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time, you can have a full pitcher ready to chill in your fridge. It’s an effortless way to elevate your day with something truly special.

It’s also perfect for entertaining. The bold orange hue, velvety texture, and striking layer of cream on top make it a showstopper at parties and brunches. Guests will think you spent way more time on it than you actually did.

This recipe is budget-friendly too. Instead of buying pre-made or takeout versions, you can make several servings for a fraction of the cost using basic pantry ingredients and black tea.

And finally, it’s easy to customize. Whether you're cutting back on sugar or want a dairy-free version, this recipe is as flexible as it is flavorful. You’ll never need to settle for store-bought again.

Now let’s take a look at what makes this drink truly shine.

Ingredients Notes

This Thai iced tea recipe uses a handful of simple yet powerful ingredients that work together to create its signature look and flavor. Each one brings something special to the table.

The heart of the drink is strong black tea. Traditionally, Thai tea mix (like Pantai or ChaTraMue) is used, which includes added spices and food coloring. If you can’t find that, you can replicate the flavor using plain black tea like Ceylon or Assam, combined with warm spices like star anise, cardamom, and cloves.

Next is sweetened condensed milk, which delivers the creamy texture and deep sweetness that Thai iced tea is known for. It blends beautifully with the strong brewed tea and creates that silky, satisfying finish. A little goes a long way!

Evaporated milk or half-and-half is used to float on top of the drink, creating the iconic creamy layer. It’s not just for looks – this step gives each sip a luxurious mouthfeel and balances out the bold tea base.

Sugar is typically added to the brewed tea while it’s hot, so it dissolves completely and infuses the whole drink with sweetness. You can adjust the amount based on your taste preferences or skip it entirely if the condensed milk is sweet enough for you.

To make the tea, you’ll need a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the tea leaves and spices after steeping. A heat-safe pitcher or large measuring cup is helpful too for brewing and chilling the tea before serving.

How To Make This Easy Thai Iced Tea

Making Thai iced tea at home is surprisingly quick and rewarding. Here’s how to do it step by step.

Start by boiling about four cups of water in a medium saucepan. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add your Thai tea mix or black tea and spices. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 3 to 5 minutes to extract the flavors.

After simmering, turn off the heat and let the tea steep for another 15 minutes. This extra time deepens the flavor and gives the tea its signature rich hue. Don’t rush this step – good Thai iced tea needs a bit of patience.

Carefully strain the tea into a large pitcher or bowl using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Be sure to squeeze out any remaining liquid from the tea leaves to capture all that concentrated flavor. Discard the solids.

While the tea is still warm, stir in the sugar and sweetened condensed milk. The warmth helps everything blend smoothly, creating that iconic orange color. Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.

Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the fridge to chill completely. This usually takes about 1 to 2 hours, but you can also make it ahead and chill overnight for best results.

When you’re ready to serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the tea about ¾ of the way up. Slowly pour evaporated milk or half-and-half over the top, letting it swirl down through the ice. The creamy ribbon effect is part of what makes Thai iced tea so fun and beautiful.

Storage Options

If you’re making this in advance, you’re in luck – Thai iced tea stores very well. Once brewed and sweetened, the tea base can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute any settled milk or sugar.

For longer storage, you can freeze the tea in ice cube trays and use them to chill future glasses without watering them down. These cubes are also fantastic in blended versions of Thai tea or smoothies.

It’s best to store the tea without the milk topping, especially if you’re preparing it in bulk. Add the creamy layer just before serving to keep the presentation fresh and avoid any separation.

To reheat for a warm version (yes, it’s delicious hot too!), simply pour the tea base into a small saucepan and warm gently over low heat. Add your milk right before serving, or enjoy it on its own as a cozy spiced tea.

Variations and Substitutions

Thai iced tea is wonderfully adaptable, and you can tweak it to fit your dietary needs or flavor preferences without sacrificing taste.

For a dairy-free version, swap the sweetened condensed milk for a plant-based alternative like sweetened coconut condensed milk. Use coconut cream or oat milk for the topping – both add a rich texture and subtle flavor that works beautifully.

If you want a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sugar and sweetened condensed milk, or omit the added sugar altogether. Taste as you go – it’s easy to dial it up or down to your liking.

Prefer something more spiced and aromatic? Add a few extra whole spices to your tea while it simmers – a cinnamon stick, extra cloves, or even a pinch of ground nutmeg can add complexity and warmth.

Feeling adventurous? Try making a blended Thai iced tea by adding the tea base, milk, and ice to a blender for a frozen slushie-style version. It’s especially refreshing during the hottest summer months.

Don’t have Thai tea mix? No problem – just use strong black tea and add spices like star anise, cloves, and cardamom during brewing. You’ll get very close to the authentic flavor with pantry staples.

Once you’ve made this once or twice, don’t be afraid to experiment. This drink is meant to be fun, vibrant, and uniquely yours.

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