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Authentic Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen)

Name: Authentic Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons Thai tea mix (ChaTraMue); 1 teaspoon loose black tea (optional, boosts tea flavor); 2 cups hot water (90°C / 195°F); 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk; 2 tablespoons evaporated milk; 2 tablespoons sugar; Ice to fill two tall glasses

★★★★★4.9 from 320 reviews·Updated June 2026·Tested in Bangkok

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Authentic Thai iced tea with condensed milk swirl over ice

This is the street-style Thai iced tea — strong spiced black tea, sweetened condensed milk, and that impossible orange glow — tested side-by-side against Bangkok stall vendors until it matched. Fifteen minutes, three core ingredients, no guesswork.

Why this recipe works

It uses the real mix. Authentic flavor comes from a proper Thai tea blend, not plain black tea with food coloring.
The pull-pour. Aerating the tea between two vessels — the way vendors do — changes the texture completely.
Two milks, two jobs. Condensed milk sweetens the hot tea; evaporated milk floats on top for the swirl. Don't swap them.

The ingredients that matter

Thai tea mix. This is the make-or-break ingredient. The blend used by virtually every vendor in Thailand is ChaTraMue — black tea with star anise and tamarind seed.

ChaTraMue Original Thai Tea Mix

The gold standard. One bag makes ~50 glasses, which works out to pennies per serving.

Check price on Amazon →

The filter sock. A traditional cloth filter strains the fine tea leaves and aerates the pour. A fine-mesh strainer works in a pinch, but the sock is an $8 upgrade you'll never go back from.

Traditional Thai Tea Filter Sock

The exact style used at street stalls. Rinse, air-dry, reuse for years.

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Bangkok note: vendors steep for exactly 5 minutes. Past that, the tannins turn the brew bitter and no amount of condensed milk rescues it. Set a timer.

Authentic Thai Iced Tea

★★★★★ 4.9 (320)

⏱ Prep 5 min🔥 Cook 10 min🥤 Makes 2 glasses🌶 Beginner

Ingredients

4 tbsp Thai tea mix (ChaTraMue)
1 tsp loose black tea (optional — boosts tea flavor)
2 cups hot water (90°C / 195°F)
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp evaporated milk
Ice, to fill two tall glasses

Instructions

Steep. Combine tea mix, black tea, and sugar with hot water. Steep exactly 5 minutes.
Strain & pull. Strain through the filter sock, then pour the tea between two vessels 3–4 times from height to aerate.
Sweeten. Stir in condensed milk until dissolved. Cool 5 minutes.
Pour & float. Fill glasses with ice, pour tea to ¾, float evaporated milk over the back of a spoon. Stir before drinking.

Notes

Dairy-free? Swap both milks for coconut condensed milk and coconut cream. For cold brew: steep the mix in room-temperature water in the fridge for 8–12 hours, then sweeten.

FAQ

Can I use regular black tea instead of Thai tea mix?

You'll get a sweet milk tea, but not Thai tea — the star anise and tamarind notes (and the color) come from the mix. It's the one ingredient with no substitute.

Why is my Thai tea bitter?

Over-steeping. Five minutes is the ceiling. Water hotter than ~95°C also scorches the leaves.

How long does brewed Thai tea keep?

Unsweetened concentrate keeps 3–4 days refrigerated. Once milk is added, drink within a day.

Make it next

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