Tea Recipes

Creamy Coconut Thai Iced Tea

Millie Pham

There’s nothing like a cold, creamy glass of Thai iced tea.

That deep amber color, the swirl of sweet coconut milk, and the perfect balance of bold tea and rich sweetness—it’s a treat you’ll crave all year round.

The best part?

You can make it at home with just a few simple ingredients!

This version skips the dairy and uses coconut milk for a tropical, creamy twist.

It’s super easy to make, and I promise—once you try it, you’ll never want store-bought again.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • 4 Thai tea bags (or 2 tablespoons loose Thai tea leaves)
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup canned coconut milk (full-fat for creaminess)
  • Ice cubes
Coconut Thai Iced Tea

Pro Tips

Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest, most indulgent tea. Light coconut milk will work, but it won’t be as rich.
Adjust the sweetness to your liking! Thai iced tea is traditionally sweet, but you can use less sugar if you prefer.
For a stronger tea flavor, let the tea steep longer or use more tea leaves.
Make a big batch! Thai iced tea keeps well in the fridge, so you can have it ready to go anytime.

Tools You’ll Need

✔ Medium saucepan
✔ Fine-mesh strainer or tea filter
✔ Large heatproof pitcher or bowl
✔ Stirring spoon
✔ Measuring cups and spoons
✔ Glasses for serving

Substitutions & Variations

👉 No Thai tea mix? Use black tea (like Assam) and add a pinch of star anise and a drop of orange food coloring for that signature Thai tea color.
👉 Want it extra creamy? Add a splash of sweetened condensed coconut milk.
👉 Prefer it less sweet? Reduce the sugar or use a sugar substitute like maple syrup or honey.
👉 Iced or hot? You can also enjoy this warm if you’re in the mood for a cozy drink!

Make-Ahead Tips

✔ Brew the tea in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just add ice and coconut milk when ready to serve!
✔ Mix the sugar into the tea while it’s hot so it dissolves easily.

How to Make Coconut Thai Iced Tea

1. Boil the Water & Brew the Tea

In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the Thai tea bags (or loose leaves in a tea strainer). Let it steep for 10 minutes.

Coconut Thai Iced Tea

2. Sweeten the Tea

Remove the tea bags and stir in the sugar and vanilla extract while the tea is still hot. Mix until fully dissolved. Let it cool to room temperature.

Coconut Thai Iced Tea

3. Chill the Tea

Pour the sweetened tea into a heatproof pitcher or bowl and place it in the fridge until completely chilled (about 1 hour).

Coconut Thai Iced Tea

4. Assemble the Drink

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the chilled tea over the ice, leaving room at the top.

Coconut Thai Iced Tea

5. Add the Coconut Milk

Slowly pour the coconut milk over the tea. Watch as it swirls beautifully into the drink. Stir if desired, or leave the swirls for that signature Thai iced tea look!

Coconut Thai Iced Tea

Leftovers & Storage

❄️ Store leftover tea (without ice) in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just add ice and coconut milk when serving.
❄️ Shake or stir before drinking, as the coconut milk may separate in the fridge.

Enjoy Your Homemade Coconut Thai Iced Tea!

There you have it—a creamy, refreshing Coconut Thai Iced Tea that tastes just as good (or better!) than your favorite restaurant version.

Make a batch, enjoy every sip, and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

Got any fun twists or variations?

I’d love to hear them! 🥥🍹✨

Hi there! I'm Millie Pham, a devoted brewer and tea lover at heart. As the founder of Bean Leaf Cup, my mission is to share my tea and coffee expertise with you all. I firmly believe that creating a fantastic cup of tea or coffee should be easy for everyone. No matter if you're already a coffee or tea expert or just beginning your journey, I'm here to help you navigate the world of brewing. Welcome aboard!