Cha Yen
Serves 2 Cooks in 10 minutes Difficulty EASY
Thai Iced Tea, or Cha Yen as we call it here in Thailand, is one of our most beloved drinks! You’ve probably seen this beautiful orange-coloured tea at Thai restaurants and wondered how to make it. Well, I’m so happy to share my recipe with you – it’s much easier than you might think!
This sweet, creamy drink is perfect for hot days in Thailand, and it’s become popular all around the world. The secret is in the Thai tea mix, which gives it that distinctive orange colour and slightly spiced flavour. We brew it strong, sweeten it with condensed milk, and serve it over mountains of crushed ice. So refreshing!
In Thailand, you’ll find Cha Yen everywhere – at street food stalls, restaurants, and even in 7-Eleven shops. Every Thai person has their own way of making it, some like it sweeter, some prefer more milk. My recipe strikes a lovely balance that I think you will really enjoy.
What I love about Thai Iced Tea is how simple it is to make at home. You only need a few ingredients – Thai tea mix (you can find this at Asian grocery stores or online), condensed milk, and ice. The traditional method involves pouring the tea back and forth through a strainer several times, which aerates it and makes it smooth and frothy. This little technique makes all the difference!
At my Khao Lak Thai cooking class, guests are always surprised by how easy it is to recreate this famous Thai drink. Once you make it yourself, you’ll never need to go to a restaurant for it again. Plus, you can adjust the sweetness exactly how you like it.
The best part? It only takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, and you’ll have two glasses of this delicious, refreshing drink ready to enjoy. Perfect for serving to guests or treating yourself on a warm afternoon!
Please try making this at home and bring a little taste of Thailand to your kitchen. It’s one of my favourite things to share with people because it always makes them smile.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp red Thai tea mix
- 30-40ml condensed milk
- 25ml unsweetened condensed milk
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
- 250ml boiling water
- Large glass of crushed ice
Items Needed
- Tea strainer
Method
- Add the tea to the strainer, then place in a large cup. Pour in the boiling water and strain. Now place the strainer and tea in another cup and pour the initial cups tea back through the strainer. Repeat this two more times.
- Pour both types of milk into a glass, then pour in the tea. Add the sugar if you like your tea sweet. Give the tea a good stir and it’s ready to serve.
To Serve
Fill the rest of the glass with crushed ice and serve with frothy milk on top or add an extra splash of condensed milk.
Hope you enjoy my Cha Yen, it is really quick and easy to make. Khop Khun Ka from Apple 🍎 Riverside Thai Cooking in Khao Lak.