How to make Thai iced tea with the original Thai tea recipe

Thai iced tea is one of those drinks that can instantly transport you to a bustling Bangkok street corner. Whether you’ve enjoyed it at your favorite Thai restaurant or are craving to recreate that flavor at home, learning how to make Thai iced tea is easier than you think. In this guide, Long Phuong Porcelain will walk through the original Thai tea recipe, explain why it’s so vibrantly orange, and share how to make it just like in Thailand.

1. What is Thai Iced Tea? Why is it so orange?

Thai iced tea, or cha yen in Thai, is a rich and creamy beverage that perfectly balances sweetness, spice, and smooth tea flavor. It’s one of Thailand’s most beloved drinks, often served over ice in tall glasses or takeaway cups on hot afternoons.

What makes Thai iced tea stand out is its signature orange hue. This bright color comes from the combination of strong black tea, often Ceylon or Assam, and food coloring that’s commonly added to Thai tea blends. When mixed with condensed milk or evaporated milk, it turns into a vibrant orange drink with a velvety finish.

2. Ingredients you’ll need for a traditional Thai tea recipe

To master how to make thai iced tea at home, you don’t need complicated tools or rare ingredients. Just a few essentials will give you that restaurant-style flavor.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons Thai tea mix (such as ChaTraMue brand)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1–2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon evaporated milk (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 2 teaspoons sugar (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes for serving

You can easily find Thai tea mix in Asian grocery stores or online. The key ingredient in any good thai tea recipe is the blend of black tea leaves infused with hints of star anise, tamarind, and vanilla. Knowing these ingredients is the first step in learning how to make thai iced tea.

3. How to make Thai iced tea at home step by step

Let’s learn how to make Thai iced tea at home just like the ones served in Bangkok’s street cafés.

Step 1: Brew the tea.

Add your Thai tea mix to a heatproof pot or teapot. Pour in boiling water and let it steep for 5 minutes. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor.

Step 2: Strain the tea.

Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to filter out the tea leaves. This ensures a smooth texture without any residue.

Step 3: Sweeten the tea.

While the tea is still warm, add sugar and condensed milk. Stir until dissolved completely.

Step 4: Cool and serve.

Let the tea cool to room temperature, then fill a tall glass with ice. Pour your sweet tea over it, and top with a splash of evaporated milk for that signature creamy layer.

That’s it! You now know how to make Thai iced tea that tastes just like the authentic version.

4. Video making deliciuos Thai iced tea easy at home  

5. Thai style vs American style Thai iced tea

When discussing how to make Thai iced tea, it’s important to note the regional differences. In Thailand, Thai tea is brewed strong, poured over crushed ice, and topped with just enough milk to balance the bitterness. The American version, on the other hand, has a thicker, creamier texture and a more dessert-like taste.

Feature	Thai Style	American/Modern Cafe Style
Tea Base	Highly concentrated, long-steeped blend (often with coloring/spices).	Sometimes uses plain black tea or less potent commercial mix.
Sweetener	Very high sugar content + Sweetened Condensed Milk.	Reduced sugar, sometimes uses substitutes like simple syrup or honey.
Creamer	Evaporated Milk (poured on top for the “float”).	Half-and-half, whole milk, heavy cream, or plant-based milks.
Serving	Often served in a tall plastic cup with a straw/lid.	Served in glassware, often garnished, sometimes as a latte.
Richness	Extremely rich and intensely sweet.	Lighter, less sweet, and often more “tea-forward.”

Both are delicious, but if you want to know how to make thai iced tea that is truly authentic, stick to the Thai Style ingredients.

6. 3 simple tips for making the best Thai iced tea just like Thailand 

Achieving that authentic, street-vendor quality requires a few expert tricks. Follow these tips to elevate your homemade thai iced tea.

6.1. Use the right tea

Choosing the right tea is everything. Thai tea mix is not just black tea; it’s a blend of Assam black tea, spices, and sometimes vanilla. Using ordinary black tea won’t give the same depth or orange color. This step on how to make thai iced tea ensures your drink is smooth and residue-free.

6.2. Stir and strain well

After brewing, stir thoroughly to mix the sweetened condensed milk evenly. Then strain twice, once through a fine sieve and again through cheesecloth. This ensures your Thai tea is smooth and residue-free.

6.3. Opt for Canned Milk

Authentic Thai tea uses canned evaporated or condensed milk, not fresh cream. This gives that thick, creamy mouthfeel and balanced sweetness.

7. Creative Thai tea recipes to try at home

Once you have mastered the classic, you can experiment with creative variations on the thai tea recipe. Knowing how to make thai iced tea opens up a world of possibilities.

7.1. Thai iced tea with milk

This is the most popular version, a smooth and creamy iced Thai tea with milk that balances strong tea flavor and sweetness. It’s perfect for hot afternoons or as a companion to spicy Asian dishes.

How to make Thai iced tea with milk:

• Brew your Thai tea as usual, using 3 tablespoons of Thai tea mix per cup of water.
• Add 2 tablespoons of condensed milk and 1 tablespoon of evaporated milk. Stir well.
• Let it cool, then pour over ice.
• For a creamier finish, drizzle a spoonful of extra milk on top before serving.

7.2. Thai green tea latte  

The Thai green tea latte is a refreshing twist on the traditional black tea recipe. Instead of using black tea leaves, this version is made from Thai green tea powder, which has a subtle, floral aroma and a gentle sweetness.

How to make Thai iced tea with latte:

• Whisk 2 teaspoons of Thai green tea powder in ½ cup of hot water until smooth.
• Add ½ cup of steamed milk (dairy or plant-based).
• Sweeten with 1–2 teaspoons of condensed milk or honey, depending on your preference.
• For an iced version, let the tea cool and pour it over ice.

7.3. Thai tea boba  

If you love bubble tea, this Thai tea boba recipe is a must-try. It combines the signature flavor of Thai iced tea with chewy tapioca pearls for a fun and satisfying texture.

How to make it:

• Cook tapioca pearls according to package instructions until soft and chewy.
• Prepare your Thai iced tea as usual, using the standard brewing method.
• Fill a glass with a few spoonfuls of tapioca pearls.
• Add ice, pour the tea on top, and finish with a generous drizzle of condensed milk.
• Serve with a large straw for sipping the pearls.

7.4. Vegan Thai iced tea  

For those who prefer dairy-free drinks, vegan Thai iced tea is a simple and delicious alternative. You’ll still enjoy the authentic Thai tea flavor: spicy, floral, and creamy but with a plant-based twist. This dairy-free guide on how to make thai iced tea is a popular choice.

How to make it:

• Brew your Thai tea using black tea leaves or Thai tea mix.
• Sweeten it with coconut sugar, maple syrup, or agave nectar while the tea is still warm.
• Let it cool completely.
• Pour over ice and top with coconut milk or almond milk for creaminess.

7.5. Thai tea frappe  

If you’re craving something cool and creamy, the Thai tea frappe is your perfect treat. It’s like your favorite café drink – icy, foamy, and refreshing, with that unmistakable Thai tea aroma.

How to make it:

• Brew and cool 1 cup of Thai tea.
• In a blender, combine the tea with ½ cup of crushed ice, 2 tablespoons of condensed milk, and 1 tablespoon of evaporated milk.
• Blend until smooth and frothy.
• Pour into a chilled porcelain mug and top with whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel.

8. Best places to buy pretty tea cups for your Thai iced tea moments

Enjoying Thai iced tea is not just about taste, it’s also about the moment. The cup you drink from can elevate your experience.

For those who love timeless elegance, Long Phuong offers a stunning range of porcelain tea cups and mugs that are perfect for tea lovers. Each piece is crafted with care, featuring smooth glaze, fine texture, and elegant curves that reflect the art of Vietnamese craftsmanship.

Whether you’re sipping iced Thai tea in the afternoon or enjoying a cozy cup of Thai green tea, porcelain cups from Long Phuong make every moment more special. How to make thai iced tea is only half the fun; serving it beautifully is the rest.

👉 Experience the beauty of authentic craftsmanship with Long Phuong Porcelain – where every cup tells a story of quality and taste.

9. FAQs about Thai iced tea

Here are answers to common questions about thai iced tea.

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