Easy Thai Iced Tea Recipe

There’s something absolutely irresistible about the deep amber hue and sweet, creamy finish of Thai iced tea. With its bold tea flavor, aromatic spices, and smooth, chilled texture, this drink hits the spot whether you're cooling off in the summer or craving a refreshing twist on your usual caffeine fix.

this Recipe

The first time I tried making Thai iced tea at home was after falling in love with it at my favorite neighborhood Thai restaurant. I was amazed at how easy it was to recreate that same sweet, spiced magic in my own kitchen—and now, it’s a weekly ritual in our house.

Keep reading to learn how to make your own perfect glass of Thai iced tea in minutes!

Why You'll Love This Easy Thai Iced Tea

Get ready to meet your new go-to iced drink. This Easy Thai Iced Tea brings all the exotic flavor of your favorite takeout beverage into your home with just a few simple ingredients.

One of the best things about this recipe is how incredibly simple and quick it is. No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients here—you’ll have your tea steeping in just five minutes, and the rest comes together effortlessly.

It’s also budget-friendly. Instead of spending $5 or more per cup at a café or restaurant, you can make multiple servings at home for a fraction of the cost.

This Thai iced tea is perfect for entertaining or sipping solo. Serve it over ice for a beautiful presentation and let guests swirl in their own sweetened milk for that signature ombré effect.

Finally, this recipe is customizable to your taste and dietary needs. Want it vegan? Use oat milk. Prefer it less sweet? Dial back the sugar to your liking. The options are endless!

Once you try this version, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought or pre-bottled options again.

Ingredients Notes

This Thai iced tea relies on a handful of key ingredients that come together to create its signature taste and color. Each plays an important role in giving the drink its distinctive profile.

The most important component is the Thai tea mix. This blend usually includes black tea leaves combined with spices like star anise and sometimes crushed tamarind or food coloring. You can find it at Asian grocery stores or online. The tea mix is what gives the drink its rich color and unmistakable flavor.

Next, you’ll need sweetened condensed milk. This thick, sugary milk adds sweetness and creaminess all in one step. It’s essential for getting that authentic Thai tea flavor and the luscious texture that coats your palate with every sip.

Evaporated milk or whole milk helps lighten the condensed milk and makes the drink pourable and drinkable. It also adds another layer of creaminess without overwhelming the tea’s bold flavor.

To sweeten the tea itself, you’ll use granulated sugar. Adding it while the tea is hot ensures it dissolves completely, creating a perfectly balanced sweetness that isn’t gritty or overpowering.

You’ll also want to have a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth handy. This will help you strain out the tea leaves or spices after steeping, ensuring a smooth, clean beverage without any bits floating around.

How To Make This Easy Thai Iced Tea

Making Thai iced tea at home is surprisingly straightforward. You’ll start by brewing a strong, spiced tea base and finish with a creamy, sweet topping that swirls beautifully when poured over ice.

Start by boiling water in a saucepan or kettle, then add your Thai tea mix directly into the hot water. Let the tea steep for 5 to 7 minutes—long enough to extract that deep flavor and color. Stir in your granulated sugar while the tea is still hot so it fully dissolves.

Once steeped, strain the tea using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a heat-safe pitcher. Discard the tea leaves, then let the brewed tea cool slightly at room temperature before chilling it in the fridge. This step ensures your ice won’t melt immediately and dilute the drink.

While the tea is chilling, combine sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk in a small bowl or jar. Stir them together until well blended. This mixture will be poured over the tea just before serving.

To serve, fill a tall glass with ice, pour the chilled tea over the top until the glass is about three-quarters full, then slowly drizzle in your milk mixture. You’ll see beautiful orange and cream layers forming, which you can stir together just before drinking.

From start to finish, this recipe takes under 20 minutes to prepare, with most of that being passive cooling time. You’ll end up with a gorgeous, restaurant-worthy drink with bold flavor and smooth sweetness in every sip.

Storage Options

Thai iced tea can be stored in the refrigerator for several days, making it great for meal prep or party planning. Simply brew a large batch of the tea base, let it cool, and keep it in a sealed pitcher or jar in the fridge for up to 4 days.

It’s best to store the sweetened tea base separately from the milk mixture. This way, you can assemble each glass fresh, ensuring that perfect creamy swirl and keeping the ice from watering things down ahead of time.

If you want to make the sweetened milk mixture ahead as well, it stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give it a good stir or shake before using, as it may settle.

To reassemble, just pour chilled tea over ice and add the milk mixture as desired. Stir and enjoy—it’s as fresh as the day you made it!

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best parts of this recipe is how easily it can be adapted to your preferences or pantry staples. Whether you're avoiding dairy or want to get creative with flavors, there’s a version of Thai iced tea for you.

For a dairy-free or vegan version, replace the sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk and use full-fat oat milk or almond milk instead of evaporated milk. The result is just as rich and satisfying with a hint of coconut that complements the tea beautifully.

If you're watching your sugar intake, you can reduce the sugar or use a sugar substitute. Just be sure to add it while the tea is still hot so it dissolves evenly. Keep in mind that some sugar substitutes may slightly alter the flavor or sweetness level.

Want to add more spice? Toss in a pinch of ground cinnamon, cardamom, or crushed star anise while steeping your tea. These additions give your drink a deeper, more complex flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy milk.

For a fun twist, try turning this into a Thai tea latte by blending it with ice to create a frozen version. Or skip the ice and serve it warm in the colder months—it’s surprisingly comforting as a hot drink too.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! Once you get the hang of the basic recipe, you can tweak it to match your taste or mood. Whether you like it bold, sweet, spicy, or light, Thai iced tea is a drink that truly adapts to you.

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