This authentic Thai tea recipe is sweet, creamy, and ready in just 10 minutes. I’ll show you how to make cha yen that tastes just like those from the street vendors in Thailand!
Tip: Thai iced tea is very refreshing during warm summer days. It’s a classic Thai drink, loved just as much as bubble tea or grass jelly bobaand you’ll spot it on the menu at nearly every Thai restaurant.
Thai tea, or cha yen, is an iced drink made from strong black tea, sugarand condensed milk. It’s sweet, creamy, and contains moderate caffeine; about 40–60 mg per cup.
Why is it orange?
Thai tea is orange because the tea mix contains added food coloring. This gives it its signature bright color, especially when mixed with creamy milk.
Most Thai tea mixes use FD&C Yellow No. 6 (also known as Sunset Yellow) and sometimes Red No. 40. These food colorings are added during the manufacturing process of the tea mix, like in the popular brands ChaTraMue or Number One.
Depending on where you live, the steeped tea might turn red instead of orange. That’s because the food coloring used in most Thai tea mixes is banned in some countries!
Once you add milk, though, that red tea still turns orange, just a bit softer.
Ingredient notes and substitutes
Have a look at the ingredient tips and photo instructions below, or scroll straight to the recipe card if you’re ready to start brewing!
- Thai tea mix (3 tbsp) – I use Chatramue brandwhich you can find at any Asian grocery store. You can use this same tea mix to make cha manao, a Thai lime tea.
- Sweetened condensed milk (2 tbsp) – Adds essential creamy sweetness that balances the strength of the brewed tea.
- Evaporated milk (1/4 cup) – Gives the tea a smooth, creamy finish without adding more sweetness.
- Hot water (1/2 cup)
- Crushed ice (as needed) – For serving chilled, just like it’s done at Thai street stalls.
- Traditional Thai-style tea filter
In Thailand, Thai tea is never made with spices like star anise or cardamom. You might see those in Westernized recipes, but they’re not used in the traditional version.
How to make Thai tea
Step 1: Place the Thai tea mix into a cloth strainer or tea sock. Hold it over a heatproof glass or container, you’ll brew straight into this.
Step 2: Slowly pour hot water over the tea leaves, letting it steep and drip into the glass. Let it steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Don’t over-steep, or the tea can turn bitter.
Step 3: Remove the strainer and discard the leaves. While the tea is still hot, stir in the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk until fully dissolved and smooth.
Step 4: Fill a glass to the top with crushed ice. Pour the sweetened tea over the ice, leaving some room if you want to finish with an extra splash of evaporated milk on top. Stir and enjoy your Thai iced tea!
Storage: Let it cool to room temperature and keep it in a clean glass bottle in your fridge for several days.
More Thai drink recipes you’ll love
I prefer homemade Thai tea over the ones from food markets because the vendors tend to go heavy on the sugar! With this recipe, you can make it just the way you like in only 10 minutes. Please leave a comment and star rating below, and follow me on Facebook, Instagramand Pinterest!
Authentic Thai Tea Recipe (Cha Yen)
This authentic Thai tea recipe takes just 10 minutes and shows you how to sweeten your cha yen exactly the way you like it!
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Place the Thai tea mix in a cloth tea filter or fine mesh strainer. Hold over a large glass or heatproof container and pour the hot water over it slowly. Let it steep for 2–3 minutes, then remove the strainer.
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While the tea is still hot, stir in the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk until fully combined.
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Fill a tall glass with crushed ice. Pour the tea over the ice, leaving some space at the top. Top with a splash of evaporated milk. Enjoy!
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- I use this Thai tea mix.
Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 339mg | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 257IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 0.2mg