Thai Tea Recipe {Make this Now}
Easy Thai tea recipe tips are below. Also, we’ve updated this Thai iced tea recipe with an organic tea bag option and with coconut milk!
Thai Tea in Restaurants
During one of the conference days in Chicago, we escaped out to lunch at a local Thai restaurant to explore more of the city’s culinary offerings. As always, we’ll try to order something new and different. When we’re at a Thai restaurant, it normally involves ordering our favorites. This includes a curry dish, one noodle dish and an appetizer. On top of that, we must always have Thai iced tea. Because how can we NOT have Thai iced tea when we eat Thai food? It’s one of those decant “dessert” drinks that helps soothe the burn when we overload on too much of Thai spice.
Authentic Thai Tea Recipe
Years ago, my Auntie Chung was telling me how easy it was to make Thai iced tea. She had worked in an Asian restaurant and one of the most popular items on the entire menu was Thai iced tea. She proceeded to tell me exactly how to make it and how profitable it was for restaurants to make. I didn’t care too much about the profitability of Thai iced tea. But rather, I’m more interested on how easily it was made and why we didn’t make it more often. The version we have is as authentic as what most Thai restaurants in America are making. Our version really does taste like what we have ordered at most Thai restaurants.
Watch the video for making Thai Iced Tea:
Fast forward about 7 years later as I’m sitting in Chicago eating Thai food and sipping my Thai iced tea. My brain light bulb pops on: “We need to make Thai tea! Auntie told me how easy it was to make and why haven’t we made it before?” Here you have it. All I can say is that if you’re a fan of Thai iced tea at $3.25 a pop, then you must make this now.
Save Money by Making Thai Tea at Home
Not only will you be saving a big wad of cash on a yearly basis, but you’ll also have a bottomless pitcher of Thai tea. This huge party pitcher will allow you to savor, sip and share with friends. This Thai iced tea recipe is so easy. Pretty much every YouTube video you see uses the same brand and shows the same steps. As far as the creamy layer goes, many people use different ingredients such as half and half or whole milk. Other options include coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk and even low-fat milk. Choose your creamy poison.
How to Make Easy Thai Iced Tea. Photos in Recipe Box Below:
How to make Restaurant Thai Iced Tea at Home
The only difference in our Thai tea recipe when compared to most restaurant versions is that we’re using a little less sugar. But really, once you get the basics down on making Thai iced tea you can customize the flavors and concentration the way you like. It’s one of those recipes that is great no matter how you make it because it’s just so decadent and satisfying.
One of the key factors in making it like the restaurants is using authentic Thai tea mixes. These Thai tea mixes are normally dyed with yellow food coloring (look on the package) and that’s what gives it it’s bright orange color. Also, Thai tea has a vanilla aroma to it. So if you want to have the brilliant orange color and flavors like most of the Thai restaurants, then this is one of the brands of Thai tea to buy: Cha Thai Tea Mix.
There’s other brands of Thai tea mixes to buy, some we’ve loved, and others seemed a bit flat. Because they are imported, and it seems like everyone is having supply issues, sometimes we have to switch between what’s available. We’ve tried as many as we can get our hands on to find you the best Thai tea mixes to buy, Here’s another great one we love: Cha Tra Mue Brand (Number One) Thai Tea Mix.
Best Cloth Tea Filter
Here’s a re-usable cloth tea filter that can also be helpful as well. We usually make large batches, so we just simmer the tea leaves in the hot water.
How to Make All-Natural or Organic Thai Iced Tea
Using organic black tea bags instead of the Thai tea mix: We also tested another version with pekong black tea bags and the flavor was still great. Only thing missing was the brilliant orange color and the subtle hint of sweet vanilla. If you want an all Natural Thai tea blend, here’s one we’ve found.
Either way, find your way into the kitchen to make yourself a batch of this restaurant style thai iced tea that’s homemade. Make yourself a big batch asap. We’re not joking. Make this now and let us know what you think. And remember, make it your own and play with the different levels of sweetness and creaminess.
Thanks Auntie Chung for the homemade Thai iced tea inspiration.
-diane
What if Thai Tea is too Bitter?
Sometimes the thai tea mixture can be too bitter for some peoples taste. Everyone has a different level of taste sensitivity and thus, the astringency of the tea can be overwhelming. So how to make thai tea less bitter? It’s easy. Here’s a few suggestions:
- Perhaps you over-steeped it. This means that the leaves were soaking in the hot water for too long. We suggest steeping the leaves for about 30 minutes but not longer than 1 hour. Most of our readers have had lots of success with this recipe and timing!
- If you’ve already made the mix, then add a little more water to the mix until it tastes more balanced.
- Or if you’re going to brew the mixture, use about 30% of the tea leaves.
- You can add a little more of the half/half or cream to soften the astringency. You’ll have a creamier thai tea drink, but that’s still quite delicious.
- Add more ice to water down the drink.
Best Mixes & Tools
Number One Tea Mix. This is the mix we commonly find in Asian store around us. It is another delicious option.
Cha Thai Tea Mix. This is our current go-to Thai iced tea mix. Make you Thai tea just like the restaurants!
Reuse-able Cloth Filter. Go traditional with this Thai Tea Filter. Get a second one for coffee too!
Other Tea Favorites
We love a good chai. Steep a bag of this goodness, add some steam or warmed milk and you’ll be in Chai heaven.
Our absolute house favorite black tea. We found this French tea years ago at Dean & Deluca and have been hooked since.
Another Thai tea mix. These are individual bags. Quick & Simple.
Thai Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
option #1 – thai tea mix ingredients:
- 1 cup (80 g) Thai Tea Mix
- 4 cups (960 ml) water
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) half and half (approximately), (some folks also use coconut milk, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk)
- ice
option #2 – using organic tea bags ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 ml) water
- 4 organic black tea bags
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 anise stars
- 1 green cardamom pod , smashed
- 2 whole cloves
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) half and half (approximately), (some folks also use coconut milk, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk)
- ice
Equipment
Instructions
option #1 – thai tea mix directions:
- Bring water to boil and add the thai tea mix. Add sugar and gently stir to completely dissolve sugar. Gently boil tea for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Allow tea to steep for at least 30 minutes and allow it to cool. The more concentrated the tea flavor, the better the Thai tea tastes.
- If you are using the Thai tea mix, strain the tea leaves (we love using these reusable cloth filters). Set finished Thai tea aside to cool. You can make this ahead of time and have the Thai tea chilling in the fridge. We usually like to make this tea mix one day ahead.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour in Thai tea leaving enough room to fill in your half and half (or other creamer). For an 8 oz. glass we like to add about 2-3 tablespoons of half and half for a creamier flavor.
option #2 – using organic tea bags directions:
- Bring water to boil and add the tea bags, sugar, star anise, cardamom pod and cloves. Stir until all the sugar dissolves. Gently boil tea for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Allow tea to steep for at least 30 minutes and allow it to cool. The more concentrated the tea flavor, the better the Thai tea tastes. We prefer to allow the tea bags to seep for about 2 hours for maximum flavor. During this time, the thai tea can cool.
- Remove the tea bags and spoon out the star anise, cardamom pod and cloves (or strain to remove). If tea is still warm, we will refrigerate it so it can be chilled. You can make this ahead of time and have the organic Thai tea chilling in the fridge.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour in organic Thai tea leaving enough room to fill in your half and half (or other creamer). For an 8 oz. glass we like to add about 2-3 tablespoons of half and half for a creamier flavor.
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Update! Here’s a Vietnamese Iced Coffee Recipe for all you iced coffee fans!
How to Make Sugar Free Thai Iced Tea Keto?
If you’re on a sugar free or keto friendly diet, you can still enjoy thai tea without all the sugar. By using sugar substitutes you can still have a delicious batch of this drink without sacrificing flavor. Here’s a recipe that we have for sugar free thai tea at best recipe box.
More Easy Recipes:
- Love Boba Milk Tea? Here’s our popular homemade boba milk tea recipe here.
- Pistachio Olive Oil Mini Tea Cakes
- Low Carb Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai
- Sour Cream Dried Onion Dip
I tried the Thai tea in Phoenix, after my way back from Washingron DC., boy o boy the best drink ever
I will try to to buy the Thai Te local and I will make it at home. 🙂
Also, throw it in the blender with ice for an amazingly delicious Cha Yin (Cold Tea) Smoothie! I’m fairly certain this is authentic since the only place I can get to make blended Cha Yin for me is in Thailand. None the Thai restaurants in the States do it. ^_^
I cant wait to try this! But I’m wondering, out of all the “cream” or “milk” variations, which one is THE BEST to use to get that restaurant taste? I want to know exactly what to get when I go shopping for ingredients! Thank you! =)
Hi Alannah,
Half and half is probably more like the restaurant taste that we’ve personally experienced, but it definitely is richer than milk. We have tried it with regular milk too and it’s still delicious, just lighter.
Enjoy!
I was told to use Half & Half by the owner of a Thai restaurant. That’s what they used to make it.
Every recipe of your’s has been delicious. Thank you for helping me on my journey.
That “doh”/”ah-ha” moment? I call it a “D-aha moment”.
Steeping tea for that length of time will build up the tannins in tea. An alternative method is to use black tea, but double the amount of tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes. Add the sugar, and a few drops of vanilla extract. I’ve also used almond extract for very good flavor too. Less sugar if you’re using sweetened condensed milk. I’ve found it best with half sweetened condensed milk and half coconut milk. You get a smooth rich texture with a hint of coconut.
I steeped mine for about an hour when I went to the store to pick up things I needed for green papaya salad and larb and then another hour when I prepared same. The tea turned out great: no bitterness or other issues associated with too much tannin.
I didn’t use any sugar when I added sweetened condensed.
So excited to try for breakfast! Thanks alot 🙂
Just made this. Used the tea that was linked, followed the recipe here except I reduced the sugar to 1/4 cup (I’m not a fan of sweet tea and there’s diabetics around me ), and used condensed milk because I had a can handy and only other thing that was handy was some skim milk. Was still rather sweet (for my tastes), but I think that was mostly because of the condensed milk. I’ll be re-trying this later with either cream or half-and-half, whichever will have more use around the house. Other than that, really liked it.
I agree this tea is still amazing with far less sugar but I increase the other flavors drastically to balance for the lack of sugar. I put 3 tablespoons of sugar, 12 cardamom pods, and 6 cloves, plus a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a bag of green tea. I also use unsweetened coconut cream because it doesn’t overwhelm the other flavors.
Looking forward to giving this a try. Jotted your fab recipe down with my own notes so my Thai-food-loving friends and I can pamper our palates at home, too. Thank you!
I wonder… if horchata would work for the creaminess part…. the spices in that with the spices of Thai tea seems to me would be a great combination.
Horchata is made with rice milk so it wouldn’t be as creamy as thai tea is, even compared to coconut milk. Also horchata has a lot of sediment, which i don’t think would go well with that beautiful separation you have before the milk is mixed in thai iced tea. Otherwise the flavors would probably work ok. Try it!
The same day I read your post (three days ago) I ordered the tea from Amazon. It arrived today and it’s steeping as I type this comment. I’ve only had Thai Iced Tea once but I LOVED it and seeing your post reminded me how much. I was thrilled to find out I could make it at home. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hello! I’ve never tried this kind of beverage but I like to experiment (professional deformation, like we say at my home) so I’ve decided to add a little bit of Bourbon vanilla extract and a quarter of a teaspoon of powdered saffron, for a more distinct taste, to my black tea. Finished with coconut milk it was pretty amazing, I have to say.
How did you drain the tea? I’ve seen a few videos that use cloth sieves but I wouldn’t have the slightest clue in how to wash that or if it’s even necassary.
Just with a fine mesh strainer. You don’t have to if you don’t mind the leaves. Some cultures don’t strain tea leaves out of their tea.
I was actually thinking of buying a big French press and doing batches…
I made a mess when my sieve (which was really my flour sifter), which was way bigger than the glass, leaked tea all over the counter!
Works great in a french press. Certainly less messy!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I’ve looked all over for a Thai tea recipe that tasted like what you get in restaurants. I’ve bought vanilla beans, tried every “milk” variation, and so on–but your recipe has been the best. Thank you so much!
Just made this…exactly as instructed…and it was deliciously yummy! I was struggling with the instructions on the package. It didnt indicate a brew time which you did and this was the perfect amount of sugar.
amazing recipe!! Thanks!
Hi, nice website and beautiful pictures!
Just wondering about the amount of thai tea mix to water ratio, 1 cup to 4 cups of water seems very concentrated. With the addition of steeping for 30 min.s, I would imagine the taste would be very strong. Is the ratio correct?
That is what the instructions were for the brand of tea we bought. Each brand may vary, but it was quite delicious. I think it needs to be a bit concentrated to stand up the other ingredients.