Thai Iced Tea with Boba

Thai Tea (also known as Thai Iced Tea) is a popular iced drink hailing from Thailand, commonly found in Thai restaurants across the US. The deep amber color of the tea and its milk-tinted upper layer make this beverage really stand out on your table, and the combination of strongly-brewed tea, dairy and sugar make it a perfect complement to hot weather and spicy food.

Thai Tea is is made from strongly-brewed black tea, often spiced with ingredients such as star anise, crushed tamarind, cardamom, and occasionally others as well (often making this beverage a favorite among masala chai tea fans). This brew is then sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, and served over iced. For the sake of flavor, consistency and visual appeal, glasses of Thai Tea are usually topped with additional dairy, such as evaporated milk, whole milk, half and half, or coconut milk (this last one, of course, is not actually dairy, but you get the picture).

Credit: Chef Ron

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup Thai tea mix
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• 2 Tablespoons evaporated milk

• 1/2 cup tapioca pearls
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Steep the Thai tea in boiling water for 5-10 minutes or until it’s very dark orange in color.
2. Strain to remove the tea mix. Add the sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Add more or less of the sugar and sweetened condensed milk depending on how sweet you like your tea.
3. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature and then chill in the fridge.
4. To cook your tapioca pearls, bring 6-8 cups of water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the tapioca pearls and allow to cook for 10-15 minutes or until they are thoroughly soft.
5. While the tapioca pearls are boiling, prepare a simple syrup by heating 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
6. Drain the tapioca pearls and immerse in the simple syrup solution until ready to use.
7. Add 1/4 cup cooked tapioca pearls to each glass. Pour the chilled and sweetened Thai tea over the pearls and serve with a large boba tea straw. Enjoy!