Thai tea is a classic. Sweet, creamy, and rich in flavor, it’s one of the most beloved drinks you’ll find at Thai restaurants or boba shops. But have you tried a strawberry Thai tea? Like matcha and strawberry matcha lattes, adding fresh fruit is the easiest way to give a classic drink a fun twist, and strawberries pair perfectly with Thai tea.

This strawberry Thai tea recipe combines Thai tea with sweet strawberries for one of the best Thai tea combinations ever. It’s not something you’ll see often in the States, but honestly, I think every café needs this on their menu. The fruity strawberry flavor balances the creamy Thai tea phenomenally. I can’t believe I didn’t make this sooner!

Here’s how to make a refreshing strawberry Thai tea at home!

What is Strawberry Thai Tea

This strawberry Thai tea recipe uses a Thai-style Thai tea with freshly muddled strawberries. Thai tea is normally sweet and creamy with a mild, spiced, aromatic flavor profile. And strawberries are the perfect fruit to complement it!

They add a slightly tart and fruity contrast, which makes it taste so good. It’s almost like a mix between Thai tea and strawberry milk tea.

This Thai Tea vs. Westernized Thai Tea

Thai tea traditionally uses Thai tea leaves brewed with spices like star anise and tamarind seed, giving it a complex flavor.

However, these days most vendors use a premade mix of Thai tea leaves. The tea is brewed in a tea sock, then sweetened with sugar, condensed milk, and topped with evaporated milk. This gives it a light texture with a balanced sweetness.

In the U.S., it’s more common to see Thai tea sweetened with sugar, then topped with half and half, which makes it much sweeter and creamier than the original. It’s still good, but not as refreshing as the Thai-style one! I think they adapted it to be easier to make in a kitchen.

What Does Strawberry Thai Tea Taste Like?

I don’t know why strawberries go so well with black tea! The two mesh really well, perhaps because the tart strawberry balances the dark, malty flavors of black tea. With some spice, cream, and sugar, it just elevates it to a whole new level. Seriously, the first time I tried this, I felt like Remy in Ratatouille, combining flavors for the first time.

The closest thing it tastes like is a cross between Thai milk tea and strawberry milk (which would be a great substitute if you don’t have strawberries). There’s nothing really like it!

Where to Buy Thai Tea Leaves

Finding Thai tea leaves can be surprisingly easy or frustratingly tricky—it really depends on where you live (and whether you have access to a strong Asian grocery scene).

You can find them at:

• Asian grocery stores: Look in the tea aisle or the international foods section.
• Online: ChaTraMue is the gold standard for authentic Thai tea and can easily be ordered from Amazon or specialty Asian markets.
• Local cafes: Some Thai or bubble tea shops will even sell their loose tea if you ask!

When buying, make sure you’re getting Thai tea leaves, not just black tea. Plain black tea won’t give you the same taste. If you can’t find the loose leaves, many shops and online stores also sell Thai tea powder or even instant Thai milk tea mixes that work as a good backup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly balanced: Sweet, creamy, slightly spiced, and slightly fruity. It’s too good.
• Creamy and light: The condensed milk and milk give a satisfying creaminess without having to use actual cream.
• Creative: It’s so fun to mix different flavors together and discover one that’s delicious!
• Cafe-style beverages at home: Super easy to make at home with a few ingredients.

Strawberry Thai Tea Recipe: Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 tbsp Thai tea leaves: you can buy this in a tin online or from your local Asian grocery store if they have it, not all stores carry Thai tea leaves. My go-to brand is from ChaTraMue.
• 1/3 cup water 
• 1 tbsp condensed milk 
• 1/2 cup milk (ideally evaporated milk)
• 3 strawberries: fresh or frozen works but fresh tastes best from my experience. The flavor is stronger and juicier. 
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup ice

How to Make Strawberry Thai Tea

1. Boil water and add Thai tea leaves to a cup. You can also place them in a tea bag. 
2. Brew Thai tea for 5-7 minutes until the tea is dark orange. Remove or strain tea leaves.
3. Dissolve condensed milk into the hot tea and stir until the tea is a milky orange color. Let cool slightly.
4. Add strawberries and sugar to a separate glass, and muddle the strawberries using a muddler until the fruit is completely mashed. 
5. Add ice to the glass, then pour in the sweetened Thai tea and milk. 
6. Mix and enjoy!

Notes: The technique I use basically expedites maceration of the strawberries, which is where the syrup comes from the juice in the fruit. The flavor is better compared to homemade strawberry syrup, which dilutes the flavor, but feel free to use it if you have it!

Strawberry Thai Tea Substitutions 

Make it:

• Vegan: Swap condensed milk with sweetened condensed coconut milk and use a plant-based milk for the milk portion. You could even make your own dairy-free condensed milk by reducing sugar and milk on the stove.
• Sugar-Free: Replace sugar with your favorite sugar-free syrup or a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. The condensed milk is a little trickier, and you might need to omit it or swap it for heavy cream or half and half.
• Caffeine-Free: Use a decaf Thai tea blend or make a rooibos Thai tea for a naturally caffeine-free alternative.
• Fruit Replacements: Swap strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or mango for a different twist.
• Strawberry Variations: If you don’t have fresh or frozen strawberries, you can swap them with strawberry jam, strawberry powder, or freeze-dried strawberries.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Thai Tea

• Chill the condensed milk: My hack for quickly cooled tea is to chill the condensed milk before adding it to the tea. The cold sweetener helps cool down the tea faster! You can also add cold milk to the tea as well to cool it further. 
• Chill tea before combining: Let the brewed Thai tea cool slightly to avoid melting the ice too quickly and diluting the drink.
• Use fresh strawberries if possible: Fresh fruit gives a stronger, juicier flavor than frozen. If using frozen, thaw on the counter or in the microwave before use.
• Adjust sweetness to taste: Depending on the ripeness of your strawberries and milk choice, you may want to add a little extra sugar or syrup. Taste it and adjust!
• Layer for visual appeal: Pour the milk slowly over ice to create the signature layered look before stirring. Make sure you leave the muddled strawberries on the bottom, too!
• Top with evaporated milk: In true Thai tea fashion, use evaporated milk to top off your drink! It adds a creamy flavor and texture you can’t get with just regular milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Thai tea orange?
Thai tea gets its signature bright orange color from food coloring, haha. The tea leaves are often blended with food coloring and spices during processing. The color intensifies once condensed milk or evaporated milk is added.

How much caffeine is in Thai tea?
A typical cup of Thai tea has about 50–60 mg of caffeine, depending on the type of tea leaves used and how strong you brew it.

Can I make this drink ahead of time?
Yes! Brew the tea in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use. Combine with ice, milk, and muddle strawberries just before serving for the freshest flavor.

Can I use pre-made Thai tea powder or instant mixes?
Yes! They’re convenient, but the flavor is usually slightly less rich and much sweeter than using loose leaves. Great for convenience and if you’re in a pinch, though!

More Thai Tea Drinks You’ll Love

Now that you’ve unlocked this strawberry Thai tea, I’m sure you’re dying to try other versions! Here are some other Thai tea drinks you need to try next:

• Dalgona Thai Tea
• Coconut Thai Tea Cloud
• Sweet Cream Thai Tea
• Thai Tea Latte
• Thai Iced Tea