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Tall glass of orange Thai iced tea with cream swirl

Creamy, sweet orange-hued tea

Thai Iced Tea

Thai Iced Tea

40 minEasy

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

5 min

Total Time

40 min

Servings

2

2 servings

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Thai Iced Tea

Creamy, sweet orange-hued tea

A bold, sweet iced tea with a distinctive orange color and creamy finish from sweetened condensed milk. This Thai restaurant classic is a refreshing companion to spicy food.

5m

Prep Time

5m

Cook Time

40m

Total Time

2

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Thai CuisineSnackVegetarianGluten-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

February 8, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Thai iced tea gets its vibrant color from Thai tea mix (Cha Tra Mue brand is classic) and its signature creaminess from a generous pour of condensed or evaporated milk over ice.

Why This Recipe Works

Brewing the tea extra-strong ensures the flavor holds up against ice and cream. Sweetened condensed milk provides both sweetness and richness in one ingredient.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp Thai tea mix (Cha Tra Mue)
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tbsp evaporated milk or half-and-half
  • Sugar to taste
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add Thai tea mix and steep for 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or coffee filter into a heatproof pitcher.

  3. 3

    Stir in sweetened condensed milk and sugar while the tea is still warm.

  4. 4

    Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold.

  5. 5

    Fill tall glasses with ice, pour the tea to 3/4 full, and top with a swirl of evaporated milk.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice

  • Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi

  • Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor

  • Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering

Substitutions

Thai tea mixStrong Ceylon black tea + star anise

Different color but similar flavor profile

Sweetened condensed milkCoconut condensed milk

Dairy-free and adds a subtle coconut flavor

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Fish Sauce

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the pantry staple matters

Recipes in this lane usually taste more complete when the fish sauce is doing real work instead of acting as an afterthought.

This is often the first pantry ingredient worth upgrading for these flavors.

  • Adds salty depth fast
  • Useful across sauces, dressings, and braises

A dependable fish sauce bottle becomes useful across a lot of Southeast Asian cooking.

Shop fish sauce for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Brew the tea very strong—it will be diluted by ice and milk.

  • Pour the cream slowly over a spoon for a beautiful layered effect.

Storage

Refrigerate the tea base (without ice or milk topping) for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Serve cold over ice only.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (15mg) · 2 servings

Calories160
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein3g
Carbohydrates4g
Fat28g
Fiber65mg
Sugar0g
Sodium26g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thai tea mix?
A blend of Ceylon tea, food coloring, and sometimes star anise. Cha Tra Mue is the most popular brand.
Can I use regular black tea?
Yes, use strong-brewed black tea with a pinch of star anise, though the color will differ.

Explore More

More Thai RecipesMore SnackVegetarian RecipesGluten-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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