Go Back

Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen)

Strong-brewed Thai tea sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, chilled and poured over ice with an evaporated-milk float.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 tall glasses
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup Thai tea mix about 4 heaping tablespoons if loose-leaf
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar plus more to taste
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk or half-and-half for serving
  • Plenty of ice

Method
 

  1. Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan.
  2. Take the pan off the heat, stir in the Thai tea mix, and steep for 5 minutes. Do not steep longer, or the tea turns bitter.
  3. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a heatproof pitcher. Press the leaves gently to squeeze out the brew, then discard.
  4. While the tea is still hot, whisk in the sugar until dissolved, then whisk in the sweetened condensed milk.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until thoroughly cold.
  6. Fill tall glasses to the top with ice. Pour the chilled tea over, leaving about an inch of room, then slowly float 1 to 2 tablespoons of evaporated milk over the back of a spoon. Serve immediately.