How to make a Thai Chai

An amplified take on an Iced Chai Latte, inspired by authentic Thai Iced Coffee. Bold, malty Assam and warming chai spice balanced by rich, creamy sweetness. Full-bodied and smooth, with a gently spiced finish.

Start by preparing your Chai Concentrate using the instructions below (or, for foodservice partners, skip this step and simply use our bag-in-box Chai Concentrate), brew the sweetened Assam tea and make your condensed milk mix as per the instructions below, then move on to the construction of your final drink.

Chai Concentrate 

What you need (for approx 10 drinks)

• 1ltr water
• Approx 50 cardamom pods (5g)
• Approx 30 black peppercorns
• 18g cinnamon sticks
• 6g whole clove
• 3 star anise
• 6g nutmeg (roughly 2 whole, broken)
• 50g fresh ginger, unpeeled and sliced
• 6g fennel seeds (2 tsp)
• 1 vanilla pod, halved and seeds removed
• 150g dark soft brown sugar
• 18g (approx 7 tsp) Assam tea (or another robust black tea) 
  

Method

1. Add your sugar and spices to a pan with the water and bring to the boil with a lid on
2. Simmer gently for 10 minutes
3. Add the tea leaves & simmer for a further 5 minutes
4. Set aside for at least 30 minutes
5. Use a fine strainer or muslin to strain into a clean, lidded bottle or jar and allow to cool fully
6. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks

Sweetened Assam tea

What you need (for approx 4 drinks)

• 9g Assam tea 
• 600ml hot water (98°C)
• 30g caster sugar 
• Small pinch of sea salt

Method

1. Brew the Assam tea in the hot water for 8 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine the caster sugar and sea salt in a suitable container.
3. Strain in the brewed tea and stir until fully dissolved.
4. Transfer to a clean bottle and store in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

Condensed milk mix

What you need (for approx 4 drinks)

• 150g condensed milk 
• 200g evaporated milk

Method

1. Combine the condensed milk and evaporated milk in a suitable jug.
2. Cover and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Thai Chai 

What you need (per drink)

• 125ml sweetened Assam tea
• 25ml Good & Proper Chai Concentrate
• 50ml condensed milk mix

Method

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the sweetened Assam tea, followed by the Chai Concentrate.
3. Gently pour the condensed milk mix over the ice.
4. Stir to combine.