Easy Thai Iced Tea Recipe

There's something irresistibly satisfying about sipping a cold glass of Thai iced tea on a hot afternoon. The rich amber hue, creamy swirl of milk, and delicate balance of sweet, spiced, and floral flavors make it a truly special treat.

this Recipe

I first started making Thai iced tea at home after falling in love with it at a local Thai restaurant. With a few simple ingredients and a little trial and error, I discovered a foolproof method that delivers all the bold flavor without the trip out.

Let’s dive into the details so you can enjoy this delicious drink anytime from your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Thai Iced Tea

Get ready to meet your new go-to beverage for warm days, special occasions, or simply because you’re craving something refreshingly different.

First and foremost, it’s incredibly simple. You only need a few pantry staples and a bit of steeping time—no complicated equipment or barista training required. If you can boil water, you can make this drink.

It’s also impressively budget-friendly. Buying Thai iced tea at a restaurant can add up quickly, but making it at home costs just a fraction per serving and yields several glasses per batch.

Another reason to love it? It’s fully customizable. Want it sweeter? Add more sugar. Prefer it dairy-free? Use coconut or oat milk. You can tweak the ingredients to suit your preferences perfectly.

Finally, the visual appeal is unbeatable. The way the cream or milk swirls into the dark tea makes it as beautiful to look at as it is to drink—perfect for entertaining guests or leveling up your afternoon routine.

Once you see how easy it is to make, this homemade Thai iced tea will become a permanent part of your beverage rotation.

Ingredients Notes

The magic of Thai iced tea lies in its unique blend of strong brewed tea and creamy, sweetened milk. Let’s break down what goes into creating the perfect glass.

Thai tea mix is the star of the show. This special blend typically contains black tea, spices like star anise and clove, and sometimes food coloring to achieve its signature orange hue. You can find it online or at most Asian grocery stores. My personal favorite is the Pantai or Number One brand.

Sugar is added while the tea is still hot, allowing it to dissolve completely. Thai iced tea should be sweet, but you can easily adjust the amount to suit your taste. Start with a modest amount, then increase if needed after the first taste test.

Sweetened condensed milk gives Thai iced tea its velvety richness and sweetness. It’s both a sweetener and creamer, so don’t skip this ingredient if you want that classic flavor. A small spoonful goes a long way.

Evaporated milk or half-and-half is typically used for that final swirl. It cuts the sweetness of the condensed milk and adds a smooth, creamy finish. You can also substitute with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version that still feels indulgent.

To prepare this drink, you’ll just need a saucepan or kettle to boil water, a fine mesh strainer or tea filter to remove the leaves, and a large pitcher for steeping and chilling the tea. Tall glasses and lots of ice are a must for serving.

How To Make This Easy Thai Iced Tea

Brewing Thai iced tea at home is a relaxing process that rewards you with a rich and satisfying beverage. Here’s exactly how I do it.

Start by boiling about four cups of water in a saucepan. Once it reaches a rolling boil, remove it from heat and stir in the Thai tea mix. I use roughly two tablespoons of tea mix per cup of water for a bold flavor.

Let the tea steep for about 5–10 minutes. The longer it steeps, the stronger and darker the flavor will be. Give it a stir halfway through to make sure all the tea leaves are fully saturated.

After steeping, carefully strain the tea into a heat-proof pitcher to remove the leaves. A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth works well for this. Stir in the sugar while the tea is still hot to help it dissolve evenly.

Allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature, then transfer the pitcher to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour. You can make it ahead and store it for up to 3 days if you want a ready-to-pour drink anytime.

When you're ready to serve, fill tall glasses with ice and pour in the chilled tea, leaving about an inch at the top. Slowly drizzle sweetened condensed milk over each glass, followed by a splash of evaporated milk or your preferred creamer.

The final step is the best—stir gently to create those gorgeous, marbled swirls. Then sip and enjoy your homemade Thai iced tea!

Storage Options

One of the best things about Thai iced tea is that it stores beautifully. You can make a large batch ahead of time and enjoy it over several days without compromising on flavor.

Keep the brewed, sweetened tea in a sealed container or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure it’s well chilled before serving.

Store any leftover sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk separately in airtight jars in the fridge. These can last for up to a week and are great for making additional glasses later.

If you prefer a ready-to-pour option, you can mix the milk into the entire batch of tea after it’s cooled. However, this may slightly reduce the shelf life, so plan to consume it within 2 days.

To re-serve, just give the tea a good stir and pour over fresh ice. The flavors remain vibrant and delicious even after a day or two in the fridge.

Variations and Substitutions

Thai iced tea is incredibly adaptable, which makes it fun to experiment with new flavors or dietary needs.

For a vegan or dairy-free version, replace both the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk with full-fat coconut milk or a combination of coconut and oat milk. There are also vegan condensed milks available that mimic the richness of the original.

If you're avoiding refined sugar, try sweetening your tea with maple syrup or agave. Just add it to the hot tea after straining, so it dissolves fully.

You can also make a spiced version by adding a cinnamon stick, extra star anise, or a few cardamom pods to the tea while it steeps. This enhances the warm, aromatic notes already present in the Thai tea mix.

For an iced Thai tea latte, blend the chilled tea and milk together with ice in a blender for a creamy, frothy treat that’s reminiscent of a café drink.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to get creative with the presentation. Top it with whipped cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert-like twist.

No matter how you customize it, this easy Thai iced tea recipe is sure to become a favorite. So brew a batch, pour yourself a glass, and enjoy a taste of Thailand from your very own kitchen.

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