Strong brewed coffee: The foundation of this iconic beverage is a robust, dark roast coffee. Traditionally, Thai coffee is made with local Robusta beans, often infused with spices like cardamom or corn, giving it a unique, earthy aroma. For home brewing, opt for a dark roast like French roast or even an espresso blend to achieve that deep, intense flavor that stands up to the sweetness of the milk.

Sweetened condensed milk: This ingredient is vital for the characteristic sweetness and decadent, thick texture of Thai Iced Coffee. Its high sugar content and syrupy consistency dissolve easily into the coffee, creating a luscious mouthfeel that no other sweetener can replicate. Adjust the amount to your personal preference for sweetness.

Evaporated milk: A creamy, unsweetened milk product, evaporated milk contributes to the drink’s smooth, velvety finish without overpowering the sweetness from the condensed milk. It balances the flavors and adds a depth of creaminess that makes the beverage truly indulgent. Look for full-fat evaporated milk for the richest results.

Ice cubes: Essential for transforming the warm brewed coffee into a refreshingly cold beverage. A generous amount of ice is crucial not only for chilling but also for achieving the desired dilution as it slowly melts, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Consider using coffee ice cubes to prevent dilution and enhance the overall coffee experience.

To truly elevate the flavor of your Thai iced coffee, the quality of your coffee is paramount. We recommend using freshly brewed coffee made from high-quality, dark roast coffee beans. A French press or a strong drip coffee maker are excellent choices for achieving the required intensity. After brewing, it’s crucial to allow the coffee to cool completely to room temperature, or even chill it in the refrigerator, before pouring it over the ice cubes. This critical step prevents the ice from melting too quickly and diluting your drink, ensuring a robust and undiluted flavor.

For an even richer and more authentic taste, some enthusiasts enjoy infusing their coffee with a few pods of green cardamom or a star anise during the brewing process. This adds a subtle, exotic spice note that is often found in traditional Thai coffee and tea preparations. Once your coffee is cooled, customize the sweetness and creaminess by adjusting the amount of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk to your personal preference. A thorough stir is essential to ensure that the milks are fully incorporated into the coffee, creating a homogeneous, smooth, and luxuriously creamy texture that is characteristic of this beloved Thai beverage.

Thai Iced Coffee, with its bold and sweet profile, pairs wonderfully with a variety of Thai dishes, creating a balanced and exciting culinary experience. Here are some suggested pairings:

While the traditional recipe is delicious, you can easily adapt your Thai Iced Coffee to suit dietary needs or simply experiment with new flavors:

• Strong brewed coffee – Substitute with espresso: For a quicker and intensely concentrated coffee flavor, use 2-3 shots of espresso per serving. Espresso provides a similarly robust base and can be diluted slightly with water to match the strength and volume of brewed coffee. This is an excellent option if you have an espresso machine at home.

• Sweetened condensed milk – Substitute with coconut condensed milk: For a dairy-free or vegan option, coconut condensed milk is an excellent choice. It offers a similar sweetness and creamy texture, with the added benefit of a subtle, tropical coconut flavor that naturally complements many Southeast Asian recipes. This substitution maintains the authentic sweetness while catering to different dietary preferences.

• Evaporated milk – Substitute with half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk: Half-and-half provides a similar creamy consistency and richness, making it a good, readily available alternative to evaporated milk for those who don’t keep evaporated milk on hand. For a dairy-free alternative, full-fat coconut milk (from a can, shaken well) offers a rich, creamy texture and a delicious coconut flavor that harmonizes beautifully with the overall Thai theme.

• Ice cubes – Substitute with coffee ice cubes: To prevent your delicious Thai Iced Coffee from becoming diluted as the ice melts, prepare coffee ice cubes in advance. Simply freeze leftover brewed coffee in an ice cube tray. As these melt, they will only intensify the coffee flavor, ensuring your drink remains strong and flavorful from the first sip to the last. This is a brilliant trick for any iced coffee lover.

• Sweetener alternatives: If you’re looking to reduce refined sugar or adjust sweetness, you can experiment with maple syrup, agave nectar, or a sugar-free condensed milk substitute, though these will alter the traditional flavor and texture somewhat.

If you love the rich and creamy essence of Thai Iced Coffee, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy exploring these other delightful coffee beverages that offer similar indulgent experiences:

To ensure you can enjoy your homemade Thai Iced Coffee whenever the craving strikes, proper storage is key. Here’s how to keep it fresh and delicious:

• Allow the brewed coffee to cool completely to room temperature before attempting to store it. This crucial step prevents condensation from forming, which can dilute the coffee and affect its rich flavor. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the coffee pot in an ice bath.

• Once cooled, transfer the coffee into an airtight container. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids or BPA-free plastic containers are ideal for preserving the taste and preventing absorption of other fridge odors. Store the container in the refrigerator; the plain brewed coffee will stay fresh for up to one week.

• For even longer storage, especially if you’ve brewed a large batch, pour the cooled coffee into ice cube trays and freeze. Once solid, transfer the coffee cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. These coffee cubes can be stored for up to a month and are perfect for directly chilling your next Thai coffee without diluting its intense flavor.

• Keep the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk in their original cans, ensuring they are sealed tightly (or transfer to airtight containers) and store them in the refrigerator after opening. They will typically last for several weeks once opened.

• If you prefer convenience, you can pre-mix the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk together in a separate airtight container and store this mixture in the refrigerator. This combined milk blend will stay fresh for about a week, ready to be added to your chilled coffee.

• When you’re ready to serve, simply combine your chilled brewed coffee (or use coffee cubes with fresh coffee), add the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk to taste, and stir well over a fresh batch of ice. This ensures a fresh-tasting and perfectly chilled beverage every time.

While Thai Iced Coffee is best enjoyed fresh and cold, you might find yourself with leftovers, or perhaps you prefer a warm version on a cooler day. Here’s how you can enjoy it:

• For a Warm Indulgence: Pour the leftover Thai coffee into a small saucepan. Heat it gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. This helps ensure even heating and prevents the sweetened condensed milk from settling or sticking to the bottom of the pan. Heat until your desired temperature is reached, but avoid boiling to maintain the delicate flavors.

• Microwave Method: Alternatively, transfer your leftover Thai coffee to a microwave-safe mug. Microwave on medium power in short 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each interval, until it’s warmed to your liking. Be careful not to overheat it.

• Gentle Double Boiler Approach: For a more traditional and gentle reheating method that preserves the texture, use a double boiler. Place the Thai coffee in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Stir gently and continuously until the beverage is warmed through. This method prevents scorching and maintains the creamy consistency.

• Re-chilling for a Cold Treat: If you simply want to enjoy your leftover Thai coffee cold again, there’s no need to reheat! Just pour the chilled leftover Thai coffee over a fresh cup of ice cubes and give it a good stir. For an extra boost, you can even add a splash of fresh brewed coffee before serving.

Making delicious Thai Iced Coffee at home requires just a few basic tools. Having these on hand will streamline your preparation process:

• Coffee maker: Whether you use a drip machine, French press, AeroPress, or a traditional Thai coffee filter sock, a reliable coffee maker is essential for brewing the strong coffee base needed for this recipe. Aim for a method that yields a concentrated brew.

• Measuring spoons: Accuracy is key, especially when it comes to the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Measuring spoons ensure you add the precise amounts to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess, allowing for easy adjustment to your taste.

• Tall glass: The ideal vessel for assembling and serving your Thai Iced Coffee. A clear, tall glass allows you to appreciate the beautiful layering of coffee and milk before stirring, and provides ample space for a generous amount of ice.

• Ice cube tray: Crucial for making the ice cubes that will chill your coffee and create that refreshing cold beverage. For an enhanced experience, consider having a separate tray for making coffee ice cubes.

• Long spoon: Necessary for stirring the strong coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk together. A long spoon ensures all ingredients are thoroughly combined, creating a smooth, homogenous, and creamy texture from top to bottom.

• Refrigerator: Used to cool the freshly brewed coffee completely before it is poured over the ice. Chilling the coffee prevents rapid ice melt and dilution, ensuring your Thai Iced Coffee remains bold and flavorful.

• Kettle or Pot: If you’re using a French press or pour-over method, a kettle to heat water is indispensable.

Even though Thai Iced Coffee is quick to prepare, these simple hacks can make it even faster, especially for busy mornings or unexpected cravings:

Brew in advance: The longest step in preparing Thai Iced Coffee is waiting for the coffee to cool. Eliminate this wait by brewing your coffee the night before or several hours in advance and storing it in the fridge. This way, you can skip the cooling step entirely and proceed directly to assembly.

Use coffee ice cubes: Take your time-saving and flavor preservation to the next level by freezing leftover coffee in ice cube trays. These coffee ice cubes not only keep your drink perfectly chilled but also prevent it from getting watered down as they melt, ensuring maximum coffee flavor until the last drop.

Pre-mix milks: For ultimate convenience, combine your sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk in a jar or squeeze bottle and store it in the fridge. This ready-to-pour mixture makes it quicker to add to your coffee, shaving off precious seconds from your preparation time and ensuring consistent flavor.

Batch preparation: If you’re hosting or simply want to have Thai Iced Coffee on demand, prepare a larger batch of the cooled coffee and milk mixture (excluding ice) and store it in a sealed container in the fridge. When ready to serve, simply pour over ice, stir, and enjoy. This strategy is ideal for entertaining or for daily enjoyment.