Love Café-Style Drinks? Try This Easy Thai Milk Tea Recipe

Thai milk tea is a popular beverage known for its striking orange colour, rich tea flavour and creamy sweetness. Commonly served over ice, this refreshing drink is enjoyed at Thai street stalls, cafés and restaurants. Its distinctive taste comes from strongly brewed black tea, sugar and milk, often with a hint of aromatic spices.

Also known as Cha Yen in Thailand, Thai milk tea is relatively simple to prepare at home. With a few ingredients and the right brewing technique, you can recreate this café-style drink and adjust its sweetness to suit your preference.

What Is Thai Milk Tea?

Thai milk tea, or Cha Yen, is a traditional-style iced tea beverage widely enjoyed across Thailand. It is typically prepared using a strong black tea blend, which may contain spices such as star anise and cardamom.

Sweetened condensed milk gives the drink its creamy texture, while evaporated milk is often poured over the top. Its familiar orange appearance can come from the tea blend or food colouring used in some commercial mixes.

Ingredients for Thai Milk Tea

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Brewing time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 glasses

• 2 tablespoons Thai tea mix or strong black tea leaves
• 2 cups water
• 2–3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup evaporated milk or whole milk
• Ice cubes
• Extra milk for topping

How to Make Thai Milk Tea at Home

1. Boil the water: Heat two cups of water in a saucepan until it starts boiling.
2. Brew the tea: Add the Thai tea mix and simmer for 3–5 minutes. Allow it to steep longer if you prefer a stronger flavour.
3. Strain the tea: Remove it from the heat and strain into a heatproof jug.
4. Add sugar: Stir in the sugar while the tea is warm so that it dissolves properly.
5. Mix in condensed milk: Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until completely combined.
6. Cool the mixture: Let the tea cool before refrigerating it until chilled.
7. Prepare the glasses: Fill two serving glasses with ice cubes and pour in the chilled tea.
8. Add the finishing touch: Pour a little evaporated milk or whole milk over each glass and serve.

Tips for Making Delicious Thai Iced Tea

Use a strong tea brew because melting ice can dilute its flavour. Adjust the sugar and condensed milk according to your taste, and strain the tea properly to avoid a grainy texture. For a dairy-free alternative, try coconut milk and vegan condensed milk.

Can You Make Thai Milk Tea Without a Special Tea Mix?

Yes. Strong black tea can be used if Thai tea mix is unavailable. You can add a small amount of cardamom or star anise for an aromatic touch. However, the flavour and orange colour may differ from the traditional café-style version.

Thai milk tea is a simple way to bring a popular Thai café drink into your kitchen. Serve it chilled as an afternoon refreshment or alongside your favourite snack.