🇹🇭 Thailand · Drinks
Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen)
By eatmundo · July 9, 2026
A vibrant orange, creamy, and irresistibly sweet iced tea, a beloved classic from Thailand. Its unique flavor comes from a special blend of black tea and spices, perfectly balanced with condensed and evaporated milk for a refreshing and comforting treat on any warm day.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Steep 2 tablespoons of Thai tea mix in 250ml of freshly boiled water in a heatproof pitcher or teapot for 3-5 minutes. You'll notice the water quickly absorbing the distinct orange color and fragrant aroma.
- 2
Carefully strain the tea concentrate into a clean heatproof glass, pressing gently on the tea leaves with the back of a spoon to extract every drop of rich flavor. Discard the used tea leaves.
- 3
Add 2-3 teaspoons of sugar to the hot tea, adjusting to your preferred level of sweetness, and stir diligently until the sugar is completely dissolved. The heat of the tea helps it dissolve easily.
- 4
Fill a tall serving glass to the brim with ice cubes. This generous amount of ice is crucial for chilling the tea quickly without diluting its intense flavor.
- 5
Slowly pour the sweetened tea over the ice-filled glass. As the tea hits the cold ice, it will chill rapidly, maintaining its vibrant color.
- 6
Finally, drizzle 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk over the tea, letting it sink to the bottom, then top with 1-2 tablespoons of evaporated milk, creating a beautiful layered effect. For the best experience, stir everything thoroughly just before taking your first sip to combine the creamy richness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gives Thai Iced Tea its distinctive orange color?+
The vibrant orange hue typically comes from food coloring added to the traditional Thai tea blend, though some natural blends use annatto seeds for color.
Can I make Thai Iced Tea less sweet?+
Absolutely! You can reduce the amount of added sugar and sweetened condensed milk to suit your taste, or use unsweetened condensed milk for more control.
What if I don't have a specific Thai tea mix?+
While Thai tea mix is ideal, you can approximate the flavor by brewing strong black tea with a pinch of star anise, crushed cardamom, and a hint of tamarind or orange blossom water.
How do I achieve the beautiful layered look?+
Pour the brewed and sweetened tea over plenty of ice first. Then, slowly drizzle the sweetened condensed milk, followed by the evaporated milk, gently over the top of the ice, letting them settle without stirring.
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