Thai Iced Tea Recipes — How to Make Thai Tea at Home

Thai iced tea recipe and Thai tea recipe collection: classic authentic cha yen, boba, and dairy-free. Learn how to make Thai iced tea at home step by step.

Three glasses of Thai iced tea side by side — classic with condensed milk, boba with tapioca pearls, dairy-free with coconut milk — on a wood table with tropical Thai backdrop

How to Make Thai Iced Tea

Every Thai iced tea recipe follows the same three steps. Master these and you can make any variation.

  1. 1

    Brew strong

    Use Thai tea bags or loose Thai tea mix — a blend of black tea with star anise and spices. Steep in boiling water for 5–7 minutes. Brew stronger than you think you need; ice dilutes it.

  2. 2

    Sweeten while hot

    Stir in sweetened condensed milk while the tea is still warm — it dissolves easily and adds the signature creamy sweetness. Adjust sugar to taste.

  3. 3

    Pour over ice, top with milk

    Fill a tall glass with ice, pour the cooled tea three-quarters full, then drizzle evaporated milk over the top. That floating cream layer is the Thai iced tea look.

Not sure which tea to buy? See our guide to the best Thai tea mixes.

Choose Your Recipe

Same base, different variations — pick the one that fits your ingredients or diet.

Classic — Authentic Cha Yen

The original: strong brewed Thai tea, condensed milk, evaporated milk, ice. Exactly like Thai street stalls.

Boba — Bubble Thai Iced Tea

Classic base with chewy tapioca pearls. The bubble tea shop experience at home.

Vegan — Dairy-Free Version

Coconut or oat milk instead of condensed milk. Also covers dye-free Thai tea options.

Common Questions

What tea do you use for Thai iced tea?

Authentic Thai iced tea uses a Thai tea blend — black tea mixed with spices like star anise, sometimes cardamom, and often food coloring for the orange color. Common brands are Cha Tra Mue and Pantai. See our best Thai tea mixes guide for specific picks.

Can you make Thai iced tea without condensed milk?

Yes. Use coconut milk, oat milk, or any plant-based milk, plus a sweetener like agave or cane sugar. See our dairy-free Thai iced tea recipe for the exact method.

How long does Thai iced tea last in the fridge?

Brewed and sweetened Thai tea (without milk added) keeps up to 3 days in the fridge. Once you've stirred in evaporated or condensed milk, drink it within 24 hours. Best practice: brew and sweeten ahead, then pour over ice and top with milk when serving.

What makes Thai iced tea orange?

The orange color comes from food coloring added to the Thai tea blend — not the tea itself. Dye-free blends brew to a deep amber. For more on what's in Thai tea, see What is Thai iced tea?