Thai Iced Coffee

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Chill Time: 60 mins
Total: 70 mins
Servings: 2 to 4 servings
Yield: 2 3/4 cups

Step aside Starbucks, this authentic Thai iced coffee is as good or better than a coffee shop concoction, plus it's easy to make and costs pennies a cup. If that's not enough, making it yourself means you get to choose your favorite blend or brand of coffee bean. This drink is sold on all the streets and beaches in Thailand, and it's perfect to quench your thirst on a hot day when served simply over ice.

Thai iced coffee is strong, creamy, and sweet. Make a jug of the coffee drink and keep it on hand in the refrigerator for whenever the mood strikes you and when a jolt of caffeine and sugar is in order. Adding your favorite liqueur kicks it up a notch for a delicious after-dinner drink. 

Thai iced coffee in several glasses

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

"The Thai iced coffee was excellent and very easy to fix. I made it with freshly brewed very strong coffee. I used the maximum amount of sweetened condensed milk, which was perfect for me. I poured it over a glass with ice and added evaporated milk. It was delicious!" —Diana Rattray

Thai iced coffee in a glass with a straw
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (16 ounces) strongly brewed hot coffee (or strong instant coffee)

  • 4 to 6 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk

  • 1/4 cup evaporated milk (or fresh heavy cream)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Thai iced coffee gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  2. Pour the hot coffee into a glass jug or other container for mixing and pouring.

    Hot coffee in a pitcher

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  3. Add the sweetened condensed milk to taste and stir well until dissolved. Add a few ice cubes and refrigerate for 1 or more hours.

    Sweetened condensed milk added to the coffee in the pitcher

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  4. To serve, place a few ice cubes in the bottom of each glass and pour the coffee over.

    Thai coffee mixture pouring over ice cubes in glasses

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

  5. Top each drink with a few tablespoons of the evaporated milk or heavy cream.

    Thai Iced Coffee in glasses, topped with evaporated milk

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Tip

Thai iced coffee is best made with freshly brewed coffee. However, if you are using leftover coffee, briefly reheat it before proceeding with the recipe.

Recipe Variations

  • Add 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom to the iced coffee along with the sweetened condensed milk. Chill and serve as directed.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon of pure almond extract or vanilla extract along with the sweetened condensed milk.
  • This iced coffee is excellent served with a shot of Cointreau, Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlúa, or your favorite liqueur.

Is Thai Iced Coffee Strong?

Thai iced coffee begins with very strong coffee. The sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk or cream help to tone it down a bit, but it does have strong coffee flavor. Thai iced coffee also tends to be very sweet, which offsets the intensity of the coffee. You can adjust the sweetness by adjusting the amount of sweetened condensed milk.

Does Thai Iced Coffee Have Caffeine?

Since Thai iced coffee is made using a base of strong coffee, it is a caffeinated drink. To greatly decrease the caffeine, use decaffeinated coffee beans.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
114 Calories
4g Fat
17g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 114
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 14mg 5%
Sodium 55mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 125mg 10%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 212mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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