How To Make Thai Iced Tea

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer at The Kitchn
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer, with more than 10 years of professional experience. As an expert meal planner and avid home cook who loves grocery shopping and helping people figure out what to cook for dinner, I'm a natural fit as The Kitchn’s Dinner Therapist. Since graduating from The University of Scranton and The French Culinary Institute, I've authored three cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen. My kitchen superpower is turning a random assortment of ingredients into easy, delicious dinners that even my young son will eat.
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updated Jan 29, 2020
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I used to reserve this drink for a treat when eating at Thai restaurants, but recently discovered that making your own Thai iced tea is surprisingly easy.

Serves4

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(Image credit: Kelli Foster)

Here’s the drink I’ll be sipping on all summer long: Thai iced tea! I used to reserve this refreshing drink for combatting the heat when I ordered spicy curries at Thai restaurants, but not anymore. I recently discovered that making your own Thai iced tea is surprisingly easy.

(Image credit: Kelli Foster)

How is Thai iced tea different than regular iced tea?

Thai iced tea is a real treat. While regular iced tea can be somewhat mild, and served with the option of sweetened or unsweetened, Thai iced tea is more concentrated and flavorful. This special drink is infused with star anise and cloves, which add a warm, spiced aroma. It’s sweetened with a touch of sugar, then topped off with a spoonful of sweetened condensed milk.

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(Image credit: Kelli Foster)
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How To Make Thai Iced Tea

I used to reserve this drink for a treat when eating at Thai restaurants, but recently discovered that making your own Thai iced tea is surprisingly easy.

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 5 cups

    water

  • 6 bags

    black tea or red Thai tea, or 1 1/2 tablespoons loose tea

  • 2

    star anise

  • 3

    whole cloves

  • 2 tablespoons

    sugar

  • Ice

  • 1/4 cup

    sweetened condensed milk

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan

  • Measuring spoons

  • Tall glasses

Instructions

  1. Boil the water: Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

  2. Steep the tea: Remove the pan from the heat. Place the tea bags, star anise, and cloves in the water, and make sure they are completely submerged. Steep for 10 minutes.

  3. Remove the tea bags: Use a large spoon or a strainer to remove the tea bags, star anise, and cloves.

  4. Stir in the sugar: Add the sugar and stir until it's completely dissolved.

  5. Cool the tea: Let the tea cool to room temperature.

  6. To serve: Use tall glasses and fill each with ice cubes. Fill each glass 3/4 of the way full with tea. Add one tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk to each glass, and stir to combine. Drink immediately.

Recipe Notes

The tea base can be kept refrigerated for up to a week.

This post has been updated — first published by Kathryn Hill March 2010.

Filed in:
asian
Beverages
easy
Gluten-Free
How To
Make Ahead