Thai Iced Tea
Your complete guide to Thai tea and Thai iced tea — recipes, ingredients, nutrition, and how to make it at home.
Thai iced tea — known as cha yen in Thailand — is a sweet, creamy, orange-hued drink made from strongly brewed Thai tea, condensed milk, and ice. Whether you're looking for the classic recipe, a boba version, or dairy-free options, you'll find everything you need here.
Thai tea gets its distinctive color and flavor from a blend of black tea, star anise, tamarind, and often food coloring. The result is bold, slightly spicy, and perfectly balanced with sweetened condensed milk. You can make authentic Thai iced tea at home with Thai tea mix, loose leaves, or tea bags — and our ingredients guide covers everything you need to know.
From street stalls in Bangkok to bubble tea shops worldwide, Thai iced tea has become a beloved drink. Learn how to make Thai iced tea at home with our step-by-step recipes, discover the best Thai tea mixes to buy, and explore nutrition facts like calories and caffeine in our nutrition guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Thai iced tea?
- Thai iced tea (cha yen) is a sweet, creamy drink made from brewed Thai tea blend, condensed milk, and ice. It has a distinctive orange color and bold, slightly spicy flavor from ingredients like star anise and tamarind. Learn more about ingredients.
- How do you make Thai iced tea at home?
- Brew strong Thai tea (mix, bags, or loose leaves), sweeten with condensed milk and sugar, pour over ice, and top with evaporated milk. Our classic Thai iced tea recipe walks you through it step by step.
- Is Thai iced tea healthy?
- Thai iced tea is high in sugar and calories from condensed milk. A typical serving has 150–250 calories. It does contain caffeine from the black tea. For details on nutrition, calories, and healthier options, see our nutrition guide.
- What are the ingredients in Thai iced tea?
- Thai tea typically includes black tea (Ceylon or Assam), star anise, tamarind, and sometimes vanilla or food coloring. The drink is finished with condensed milk, sugar, and evaporated milk. Full ingredient breakdown here.
Popular Thai Iced Tea Recipes
Classic Thai Iced Tea Recipe
The authentic Thai iced tea recipe with condensed milk - just like you'd get in Thailand.
Thai Iced Tea Boba
How to make Thai iced tea with tapioca pearls - the perfect bubble tea version.
Vegan Thai Iced Tea
Dairy-free Thai iced tea recipe using coconut milk or oat milk.