Vietnamese Iced Thai Tea with Sweetened Condensed Milk

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing Vietnamese take on Thai iced tea, featuring strong brewed black tea sweetened with fragrant spices and creamy sweetened condensed milk. This vietnamese-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together Thai black tea leaves, water, pods star anise pods 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups water, 4 tbsp Thai black tea leaves, 2 star anise pods, 3 cardamom pods, and 3 whole cloves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Remove from heat and strain tea through a fine mesh sieve into a heatproof pitcher. Let tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: To serve, fill 4 tall glasses with 1/2 cup ice cubes each. Pour chilled tea evenly into each glass, filling about 3/4 full.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk and 1 tbsp evaporated milk to each glass. Stir gently to combine until the tea turns creamy and sweet. Serve immediately with a straw.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Iced Thai Tea with Sweetened Condensed Milk take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Vietnamese Iced Thai Tea with Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Refrigerate any leftover vietnamese iced thai tea with sweetened condensed milk in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Iced Thai Tea with Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Vietnamese Iced Thai Tea with Sweetened Condensed Milk for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Vietnamese Iced Thai Tea with Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Vietnamese cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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