Spicy Thai Iced Tea with Sweetened Condensed Milk

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-24 · Updated 2026-07-24

A refreshing and creamy Thai iced tea brewed with black tea leaves and spiced with star anise and cardamom, sweetened with rich condensed milk. This Thai-inspired recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, brings together black tea leaves, star anise pods, cardamom pods, crushed for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp black tea leaves
• 2 whole star anise pods
• 3 cardamom pods, crushed
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups ice cubes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a heatproof pitcher, combine 4 tbsp black tea leaves, 2 whole star anise pods, and 3 crushed cardamom pods. Pour 4 cups boiling water over the spices and tea leaves, steeping for 5 minutes until deeply colored and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Strain the tea mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container, discarding the solids. While still hot, stir in 1/2 cup sugar until fully dissolved.
3. Step 3: Allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: To serve, fill tall glasses with 1/2 cup ice cubes, pour 1 cup chilled tea over the ice, then slowly pour 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk over the top to create a creamy layer. Stir gently before drinking.