Thai Tea Recipe
Our signature drink! This is one of our most popular items.
Overview
Thai Tea is a sweet, creamy, orange-colored tea beverage. It's our signature drink and often the first thing new customers try.
Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 3-5 minutes Serves: 1 (Regular 16oz or Large 20oz)
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- Thai milk tea mix (blended with black tea) - orange colored powder
- Non-dairy creamer
- Hot water (for dissolving powder)
- Ice
- Simple syrup (for sweetness adjustment)
Optional Add-ons
- Boba (tapioca pearls)
- Extra cream foam topping
- Less/more ice
- Adjust sweetness level
Equipment Needed
- Shaker or mixing cup
- Ice scoop
- Measuring cup
- Strainer (if using loose leaf)
- Serving cup (16oz, 24oz, or 32oz)
- Straw
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Powder Mixture
Thai Tea uses the standard milk tea preparation method with Thai-specific powder mix.
Made Like Other Milk Teas
Thai Tea follows the same preparation as our other milk tea drinks - using powder, non-dairy creamer, hot water, and ice. The Thai milk tea mix already contains black tea blended in the powder.
2. Build the Drink
Standard 24oz Thai Tea:
If boba ordered - Add cooked boba to cup first (3-4 oz)
Dissolve powder in shaker
- Add 3-4 tablespoons Thai milk tea powder to shaker
- Add 4-5 oz hot water (~180°F)
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until smooth
- Ensure no lumps remain
Add sweetener to shaker
- 100% sweet = 2 oz simple syrup
- 75% sweet = 1.5 oz
- 50% sweet = 1 oz
- 25% sweet = 0.5 oz
- 0% sweet = none (but recommend at least 25%)
Add non-dairy creamer to shaker
- Add 6-8 oz non-dairy creamer
- Shake to combine fully
Add ice to cup - Fill to about 3/4 full
- Light ice = 1/2 full
- Regular = 3/4 full
- Extra ice = to the top
Pour mixture over ice - Fill to 1" from rim
- Pour slowly for smooth distribution
- Leave room for lid
Add toppings - If ordered (besides boba already added)
- Other toppings as requested
3. Finish and Serve
- Seal or lid - Secure lid tightly
- Shake - Gentle shake to mix (optional, some customers like layers)
- Add straw - Insert through seal or in lid
- Wipe cup - Make sure outside is clean
- Call order - "Thai Tea for [Name]!"
Size Adjustments
| Size | Powder | Hot Water | Non-Dairy Creamer | Sweetener (100%) | Ice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular (16oz) | 2-3 tbsp | 3 oz | 4-5 oz | 1.5 oz | 3/4 full |
| Large (20oz) | 3-4 tbsp | 5 oz | 6-8 oz | 2 oz | 3/4 full |
Common Customizations
Sweetness Levels
Most customers order 75% or 100% sweet for Thai Tea. It's traditionally a sweet drink.
If customer orders 0% sweet, warn them:
"Just so you know, Thai Tea is pretty bitter without sweetener. Most people do at least 25-50%. Want to try 25%?"
Creamer
Standard: Non-dairy creamer (what we use)
- Creates the signature creamy texture
- Consistent every time
- Part of the authentic Thai Tea flavor
- Already included in recipe
Why Non-Dairy Creamer?
Thai Tea traditionally uses non-dairy creamer (not regular milk) which gives it the signature rich, creamy texture and authentic flavor. This is standard across all quality Thai Tea preparations.
Temperature
Iced (default):
- Follow recipe above
Hot:
- Dissolve powder in more hot water (no separate cold water needed)
- Add non-dairy creamer (can be heated or room temp)
- Add sweetener
- Mix well in shaker
- Pour into hot cup
- Serve with hot cup sleeve and warning
Quality Standards
✅ Good Thai Tea:
- Vibrant orange color
- Creamy appearance when mixed
- Sweet but not overpowering
- Smooth consistency
- No tea chunks or sediment
❌ Poor Thai Tea:
- Watery or pale color
- Too bitter or too sweet
- Gritty texture (tea not strained)
- Separated layers after mixing
- Lukewarm (should be cold or hot, not in between)
Common Issues & Solutions
"It's too bitter"
- Cause: Not enough sweetener
- Fix: Add more simple syrup
- Prevention: Confirm sweetness level when ordering
"It's too watery"
- Cause: Too much ice or not enough tea concentrate
- Fix: Remake with less ice, more concentrate
- Prevention: Follow measurements carefully
"The color is pale"
- Cause: Not enough tea concentrate or too much milk
- Fix: Add more tea concentrate
- Prevention: Use correct ratios
"It tastes weird"
- Cause: Old powder, wrong powder mix, or non-dairy creamer has gone bad
- Fix: Check ingredients, remake with fresh
- Prevention: Check expiration dates daily, store powder properly
Time Management
- Dissolve powder: 15 seconds
- Build drink: 2 minutes
- Total: Under 3 minutes per drink
Speed tips:
- Line up multiple cups for large orders
- Add boba to cups first for multiple orders
- Keep powder, creamer, and sweetener within arm's reach
- Pre-measure powder if making multiple Thai Teas
Storage & Shelf Life
Thai Tea Powder:
- Store in sealed container in cool, dry place
- Keep away from moisture
- Use within expiration date
- Discard if clumped or discolored
Non-Dairy Creamer:
- Store per package instructions
- Refrigerate after opening if liquid
- Check expiration date regularly
Mixed Drink:
- Serve immediately
- Do not pre-make and store
- Quality degrades after 15-20 minutes
Allergen Information
Contains:
- Non-dairy creamer (check specific brand for ingredients)
- May contain soy derivatives (in creamer)
- Black tea (contains caffeine)
Free of:
- Dairy milk (uses non-dairy creamer)
- Gluten (typically)
- Nuts (typically)
Important: Always check the specific non-dairy creamer brand label for complete allergen information, as formulations vary.
Cost & Pricing
[Management: Add pricing and cost information]
Tips from Experienced Baristas
Pro Tips
- Shake thoroughly - Ensure powder is completely dissolved, no lumps
- Use hot water - Helps powder dissolve smoothly
- Taste it yourself - Know what it should taste like
- Consistent measurements - Use proper measuring tools
- Recommend to first-timers - It's our signature for a reason!
- Include tapioca - Tapioca pearls come free with drinks, remind customers!
Related Recipes
- Milk Tea Base - Similar preparation
- Specialty Drinks - Other signature drinks
- Quality Standards - Overall drink quality
Master this recipe! Thai Tea is our most popular drink and often the first one you'll learn. Practice until you can make it perfectly every time.