My favorite Thai restaurant serves an iced Thai tea that is literally addictive.
I wanted to see what I could create at home.
I've purchased Celestial Seasonings Decaf Sweet Coconut Thai Chai. They have 3 other kinds too. I boil a few bags in hot water and get it as strong as possible. Add sugar until it melts. Taste and make sure it is sweet. Then purchase Turtle Mountain So Delicious Coconut Milk creamer. Our local whole foods/natural food store has it. Let the tea cool and poor over ice until most of the way full, then add creamer. Stir and enjoy!
There are many debates if you try and look on the internet for a recipe. Sweetened condensed milk or coconut milk? Sugar or sweetener?
I like this explanation.
http://www.thaitable.com/Thai/recipes/Thai_Tea.htm
There are two styles of Thai iced tea: with or without milk. Tea with milk is called cha yen. Tea without milk is called cha dum yen.
You will see small coffee/tea shops sprinkled all over Thailand. However, unlike in the US or Europe, Thai people like their iced tea on the go and take it with them in a small plastic bag with a straw sticking out. Very few people sit at the shop and drink it leisurely. In fact, many shops have no place to sit.
Cold Thai Tea - Cha Yen Thai Tea is a real favorite in Thailand. When you buy Thai Tea on the street, you normally get it in a small plastic bag with a straw. Since it's very easy to make it just like you find in Thailand, you can avoid paying $3.50 to Starbucks.
Cha Yen Thai Tea
1-2 tablespoons Thai tea
1 tablespoon sweet condensed milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon milk
1 cup hot water
Add sugar and sweet condensed milk to a glass or cup. Put one tablespoon of Thai tea to a tea sock. Place the tea sock directly above the glass. Pour hot water into the tea sock. Set the tea sock aside. Stir until the sugar and sweet condensed milk are dissolved. Add ice and top the tea with milk.
If you like it hot, reduce the sugar and sweet condensed milk by half. Drink hot.
Cha Dum Yen - Cha Dum Yen
1-2 tablespoons Thai tea
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup hot water
Add sugar to a glass or cup. Put one tablespoon of Thai tea to a tea sock. Place the tea sock directly above the glass. Pour hot water into the tea sock. Set the tea sock aside. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Add ice.
If you like it hot, reduce the sugar by half. Drink hot.
