Dive into the delightful essence of Thai Tea, a perfect blend of aromatic spices and creamy condensed milk. This enticing orange beverage strikes a harmonious balance between sweet and creamy, ideal for complementing the bold tastes of Thai cuisine.
What You’ll Find On This Page
Rooted in the rich flavors of black tea and spices like star anise and cardamom, Thai Tea brings a distinctive flavor similar to masala chai but stands out with its signature orange color, often from food coloring in commercial mixes. Whether you choose a ready-made mix or make your own, this recipe guides you through the simple steps to enjoy this exotic drink at home.
Discover More Chilled Beverages:
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To create this refreshing Thai Iced Tea, you'll need just a few ingredients, readily available at most Asian grocery stores. Let's take a look at the essentials.
- Thai Tea Mix: Use a store-bought mix for convenience, or create your own by combining 2 tablespoons of black loose-leaf tea with ¼ teaspoon of chai masala powder for each serving. To mimic the distinctive orange color of commercial mixes, add a pinch of orange food coloring to your homemade blend.
- Condensed Milk: Adds richness and sweetness to the tea, creating a smooth and indulgent flavor profile.
- Half & Half Milk: Provides a thick and creamy texture, enhancing the luxurious feel of the drink. Alternatives like whole milk, coconut milk, or almond milk can also be used for varied textures and flavors.
- Sugar (Optional): For an extra sweet touch, consider adding sugar while brewing the tea. A recommended proportion is a 1:2 ratio of tea mix to sugar, adjusting to taste.
How to Make Thai Tea at Home?
Start the visual journey of crafting the perfect Thai Iced Tea with our step-by-step photos and video guide. Follow along to effortlessly recreate this classic drink in your own kitchen.
Discover More Summer Tea Refreshments:
Thai Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Thai Tea Mix
- 2 cups Water
- 4 tsp Condensed Milk
- ½ cup Half and Half Milk
- Ice Cubes, as needed
Instructions
Making Thai Iced Tea
- In a saucepan over medium heat, bring water to a vigorous boil, ensuring it's hot enough to fully steep the Thai Tea Mix, thereby extracting its deep flavors and vibrant colors.
- Add 2 tablespoons of Thai Tea Mix to the boiling water, stirring gently to evenly distribute the tea. Allow it to steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preference for strength. This step is essential for infusing the water with the tea's aromatic flavors and signature hue.
- After brewing, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the Thai Tea cool to room temperature. This gradual cooling process allows the flavors to meld and intensify, enriching the tea's overall taste.
- Fill your serving glass with ice cubes to the top, ensuring the tea will be chilled and slightly diluted for a perfectly balanced flavor upon serving.
- Strain the cooled tea into the iced glass, discarding the leaves for a smooth drink. Elegantly drizzle in 2 teaspoons of condensed milk for sweetness, then top with half-and-half milk, adding a creamy layer. Stir gently to combine, creating a visually appealing, creamy, and rich Thai Iced Tea, ready for enjoyment.
Serving
- Savor this delicious Thai Iced Tea as a perfect afternoon refreshment or to cool down on hot summer days.
Save This Recipe!
We'll email you the post link so you can come back later!
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Select Premium Thai Tea Mix: The foundation of an authentic Thai Tea lies in its quality. Choose a premium Thai Tea mix known for its rich aroma and depth of flavor to ensure the most authentic taste experience.
- Intensify the Flavor: If you prefer a more potent tea, consider adding an additional 2 tablespoons of the Thai Tea mix to your brew. This enhances the robustness, allowing the tea's bold flavors to shine through even when diluted with milk and ice.
- Customize Your Sweetness: Thai Tea is known for its sweetness, which is traditionally achieved with condensed milk. Start with a modest amount and gradually increase until you reach your preferred sweetness level, keeping in mind that the coldness of the ice can dull the sweetness slightly.
- Pre-Chill Glasses: For an ultimate refreshing experience, pre-chill your serving glasses in the freezer. This not only keeps the tea cooler for longer but also adds a frosted aesthetic appeal to your drink.
- Add Spices for a Twist: Don't hesitate to experiment with additional spices like a pinch of ground cinnamon or a couple of cloves to your tea blend. These can introduce a subtle complexity and warmth to the flavor profile, setting your Thai Tea apart.
- Stir With Care: When combining the tea with milk and condensed milk, stir gently to maintain the visually appealing layers in your glass. This not only creates a beautiful presentation but also allows guests to mix their tea to their liking.
- Creative Serving: For an added twist, incorporate cooked boba pearls at the bottom of the glass for a chewy texture, transforming it into a delightful bubble tea version.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
For a variety of tea and summer drink recipes that refresh and delight, dive into our extensive collection – you'll find a tasty blend for every preference!
Storage Suggestions
Store the Tea Concentrate in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator for up to a week, and when ready to enjoy, blend with your choice of milk and a hint of condensed milk for that perfect café-style Thai Tea at home.
Leave a Review