If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping a glass of vibrant, creamy Thai Tea from Scratch that rivals your favorite restaurant, you’re in for a treat. With fragrant spices, lush vanilla, and a swirl of sweet milk, this recipe creates an unforgettable, authentic Thai tea experience right in your kitchen—no boxed mix or artificial coloring required!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Artificial Ingredients: This Thai Tea from Scratch skips store-bought mixes and food coloring for pure, natural flavors and a gorgeous golden hue from turmeric.
- Customizable Sweetness: You’re in complete control—adjust the sugar and milk to make your version as subtly sweet or bold as you love!
- Fragrant Spices Galore: The real spices like star anise, cardamom, and cinnamon infuse every sip with warm depth and complexity you can’t get from a mix.
- Fun and Impressive Presentation: That perfect, dramatic milk swirl as you pour is guaranteed to wow any guest—or just put a big smile on your face!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Thai Tea from Scratch means you’ll be reaching for a handful of simple but magical ingredients that each play a starring role. Every spice and swirl of milk brings its own personality—let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need and why it matters!
- Black Tea Bags: The bold base flavor, traditionally strong and slightly malty—look for Assam or Ceylon if you want it closest to what Thai restaurants use.
- Water: Start with filtered water for the purest flavor—it’s essential since tea only tastes as good as your water.
- Vanilla Extract & Vanilla Bean: Real vanilla brings those signature creamy, floral undertones. Using both extract and bean makes the flavor extra lush.
- Star Anise: Just a couple of these pretty pods add a gentle, licorice-like warmth you can taste in authentic Thai tea.
- Whole Cardamom: Cardamom’s aromatic, citrusy punch adds brightness to balance out the deep black tea.
- Cinnamon Stick: Infuses mellow spiciness and a hint of sweetness—it’s subtle but makes a difference!
- Ground Turmeric: The secret to a rich golden-orange color, without artificial food dyes; it adds a gentle earthy note, too.
- Coconut Palm Sugar (or regular sugar): For gentle sweetness with a hint of caramel; palm sugar is more traditional, but any sugar works.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk & Evaporated Milk (or whole milk): The classic duo for that unmistakable silky finish and indulgent sweetness. Use more or less, to taste!
- Ice & Fresh Mint (garnish): Cooling, fresh, and makes it a real treat on a warm day.
Variations
There’s so much room for personality in every glass of homemade Thai Tea from Scratch—don’t hesitate to make it your own! This recipe is a perfect starting point, whether you need a dairy-free option or want to play with the flavors.
- Dairy-Free Thai Tea: Swap the condensed and evaporated milk for luscious canned coconut milk—just blend well for that dreamy pour-over effect.
- Naturally Brighter Orange: If you crave that unmistakable restaurant color, a touch of dye-free orange food coloring can help, but turmeric usually does the trick!
- Lighter & Less Sweet: Adjust the sugar down or use less condensed milk for a milder, every-day version.
- Loose Leaf Tea Version: Skip the tea bags and go for loose leaf—just use a fine mesh strainer or reusable tea infuser; the flavor is even more fragrant.
- Herbal or Caffeine-Free: Try decaf black tea, or experiment with rooibos for a naturally caffeine-free, earthy twist.
How to Make Thai Tea from Scratch
Step 1: Build the Flavorful Tea Base
In a medium pot, add your black tea bags, water, star anise, cardamom, cinnamon stick, twice the vanilla (extract and bean), ground turmeric, and your sugar of choice. Bring it just to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low so those incredible spices can work their magic for 3 to 5 minutes. This gentle bubbling extracts the aromatic spice oils and sweetness into every drop.
Step 2: Strain and Chill
Once the tea is deeply colored and fragrant, pour it through a fine mesh strainer to catch all the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and any loose tea. Allow the tea to cool just a bit, then fill two tall glasses with plenty of ice and pour the hot tea right over—let the ice quickly chill your infusion for an instant Thai iced tea, restaurant style!
Step 3: Mix Creamy Sweetened Milk
In a separate bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk (or whole milk) together until smooth and pourable. This blend is your secret trick for that velvety, sweet creaminess Thai tea is known for—adjust amounts if you like more or less sweetness.
Step 4: Pour, Garnish, and Enjoy!
Here’s the fun part: pour your sweetened milk over the iced tea. Watch the magic as the white ribbons swirl through the vibrant tea before blending into one creamy drink. A fresh mint sprig is a delightful touch—just the thing to finish off your Thai Tea from Scratch!
Pro Tips for Making Thai Tea from Scratch
- Spice Balancing: Don’t over-steep the spices—3 to 5 minutes is just right for deep flavor without bitterness or overpowering warmth.
- The Turmeric Secret: Start with 1 teaspoon for color, adding more if you want that traditional vibrant orange, but go slowly—too much can lend a grassy flavor.
- Chilling Hack: Pour hot tea directly over lots of ice for instant chilling and an authentic Thai iced tea texture, especially important when making Thai Tea from Scratch on a warm day.
- Milk Mastery: For extra creamy swirls, make sure your milk mixture is at room temperature so it pours smoothly and blends beautifully with your tea.
How to Serve Thai Tea from Scratch
Garnishes
A sprig of fresh mint on top of your iced tea not only looks fabulous but adds that crisp, bright aroma with every sip. You can also sprinkle a little ground cinnamon or a twist of orange peel if you want to really make the presentation pop—Thai Tea from Scratch deserves a bit of flair!
Side Dishes
Thai Tea from Scratch is absolutely refreshing with spicy food—try it alongside Thai curries, pad thai, or crispy spring rolls. Its creamy, sweet nature is perfect for soothing your palate and balancing out bolder flavors, or even made as a cooling dessert drink after a meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Pour the tea over ice in mason jars or tall glasses for a cafe vibe, and let guests pour their own milk for a dramatic swirling show! For parties, serve in small cocktail glasses for Thai tea “shots,” or make popsicles by freezing the combined tea mixture in molds—so fun and unexpected.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Thai Tea from Scratch (sometimes a rarity in my house!), store the brewed tea (before adding milk) in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. Keep your milk mixture separate so everyone can enjoy that fresh pour-over each time.
Freezing
While the tea base itself freezes beautifully—simply pour into ice cube trays or a freezer-safe jar—the milk mixture isn’t as freezer-friendly. For a fun twist, pour the sweetened tea into popsicle molds and enjoy icy Thai tea pops on a summer day!
Reheating
If you’d rather enjoy it warm, gently reheat the plain tea in a saucepan over low heat until just hot (don’t boil it!). Add the milk mixture once warmed, and give everything a good stir for a cozy, comforting version of Thai Tea from Scratch.
FAQs
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Can I use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags for Thai Tea from Scratch?
Absolutely! Just measure out about 2 tablespoons of loose black tea leaves to replace the tea bags. Use a fine mesh strainer when pouring the tea to catch all the leaves. Many people find loose tea has even richer flavor and aroma.
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Is it possible to make Thai Tea from Scratch less sweet?
Yes! Thai tea is traditionally sweet, but you can always reduce the amount of sugar and condensed milk according to your preference. I recommend starting with half, tasting, then adding more if needed—it’s easy to find your own perfect balance.
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How do I get the classic orange color in Thai Tea from Scratch without using artificial dye?
Ground turmeric is your secret weapon! It gives a beautiful burnt orange hue, especially when paired with strong tea and warm spices. You’ll only need a teaspoon or two, and the flavor is gentle enough not to overpower the tea.
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Can I make Thai Tea from Scratch ahead of time for a party?
Definitely! Brew the spiced tea base and refrigerate it up to 2-3 days in advance. Whisk the milk mixture right before serving, then assemble to order in each glass, so everyone enjoys fresh flavor and that beautiful milk swirl show!
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try making Thai Tea from Scratch in your own kitchen! The homemade aroma, the creamy sweetness, and that swirl of spices make every sip a little bit magic. Give it a whirl—your taste buds (and friends!) will thank you.
Print
Thai Tea from Scratch Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 2 Servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering, Straining
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious Thai Tea from scratch with this easy recipe. This Thai-inspired beverage combines the bold flavors of black tea, spices, and sweetened milk for a refreshing and aromatic treat.
Ingredients
Thai Tea
- 6 Black Tea Bags
- 2 1/2 cups Water
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (optional)
- 2 pieces Star Anise
- 1 tablespoons Whole Cardamom
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 1/4 piece Vanilla Bean
- 2 teaspoons Ground Turmeric
- 2 tablespoons Sugar (coconut palm sugar recommended)
Sweetened Milk
- 1/4 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2 tablespoons Evaporated Milk or whole milk
Instructions
- Thai Tea – Place all Thai Tea ingredients in a pot, simmer for 3-5 minutes, strain, and pour over ice.
- Sweetened Milk – Whisk condensed milk and evaporated milk until smooth, then pour over the iced tea. Garnish with mint leaves.
Notes
- Add plenty of sugar for authentic sweetness.
- Save time by using a teapot with a built-in strainer.
- Use turmeric for natural color and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 227 kcal
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 81mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 17mg
