Healthy Real Food Thai Iced Tea | Recipes to Nourish (2024)

Published: May 25, 2015 · Modified: Aug 20, 2019 by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 28 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This Real Food Thai Iced Tea recipe is so delicious and super easy to make. It has two options too - traditional black tea or caffeine free + immune-boosting.

I am obsessed with Real Food Thai Iced Tea ...

Really, I LOVE this drink! Please tell me you have had a Thai Iced Tea before. If you haven't, you have got to try some. It's absolutely delicious!

During my 20's I used to eat at Thai restaurants a lot, almost weekly. And every single time I got a Thai Iced Tea.

Well, as most of you know, I very seldom eat at restaurants anymore. When I started my real food journey, I made lots of changes to my diet.

For me, this also means knowing where my foods comes from plus what's in it.

I truly love Thai Iced Tea, but my friends, most of these drinks that you get in restaurants come with a packaged tea blend that has food coloring in it. ***sigh*** That bright orange color ... yep, that's food coloring that comes in the traditional packaged tea blend. Not good. This is not something I am okay with ingesting anymore.

Have no fear though! I came up with a Real Food Thai Iced Tea version so I could still enjoy one of my all-time favorite drinks.

Real Food Thai Iced Tea

Yield: 6 cups

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Inactive Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

This Real Food Thai Iced Tea recipe is so delicious and super easy to make. It has two options too - traditional black tea or caffeine free + immune-boosting.

Ingredients

6 cups filtered water
6 organic black tea bags
1 whole organic star anise
1-2 whole organic cloves
¼ cup light-colored honey {1-2 tablespoons more if you prefer it sweeter}
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
1 ½ cups organic half and half, cream or full fat coconut milk
Ice cubes

Instructions

Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat, add black tea bags, star anise and cloves. Cover and steep for 30 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and strain - or use a spoon to remove the star anise and cloves. Add the vanilla extract and honey and stir until dissolved.
Chill tea in the refrigerator until cold. If you can't wait, try putting it in the freezer for about 15 minutes {make sure you use a freezer safe container}.

Assemble:

Fill glasses with ice.
Fill glass about ¾ full with chilled tea.
Top off with a few tablespoons of half and half, cream or coconut milk.
Serve immediately!

Notes

Caffeine Free + Immune Boosting Version- omit the black tea and make thischai teablend instead. Follow the above directions, minus the black tea bags and make sure to OMIT the ginger, black pepper and only use the amount of cloves listed above.

Store remaining tea in the refrigerator for up to a week. Store the half and half, cream or coconut milk separately.

Recommended Products

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 214Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 55mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 3g

This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circ*mstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

Are you onPinterest? I pinlots of yummy real food recipes + more there. Come follow along.

MORE RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

Healthy Pineapple Whip {Paleo}

Strawberry Cucumber Lemon Water

Strawberry Ginger Switchel

Chai Tea

Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

About Emily Criswell

Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author -The Art of Great Cooking withYour Instant Pot {ranked in Amazon's top 10 new releases - gluten free recipes}, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot{ranked as a #1 New Release BEST SELLER!}, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She works to empower her readers by showing them that there is a healthier way to eat and live. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips atRecipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitterand YouTube plus grab her free eBookHolistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >>About Emily.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Renee Kohley
May 25, 2015 at 9:00 am

I have never had this before but totally plan on it now! Just beautiful too Emily!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 25, 2015 at 1:38 pm
  
  Oh Renee you will love it! It's such a treat. Thank you!
  Reply
Jessica
May 25, 2015 at 4:32 pm

I can't wait ! I love Thai iced tea. Awesome, Emily!!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 26, 2015 at 8:17 am
  
  I love it too 🙂 I hope you get to make some.
  Reply
Megan Stevens
May 26, 2015 at 9:10 am

I can't wait to make this! It has always been one of my very favorite drinks! 🙂
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 26, 2015 at 3:32 pm
  
  It's so delicious isn't it Megan? I have such a fond love for this drink too. xo
  Reply
Krystal
May 26, 2015 at 9:37 am

Emily I've never had Thai iced tea before. I'm pretty sure your version is much better than those packaged ones. I'm definitely going to try this out.
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 26, 2015 at 3:33 pm
  
  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 🙂
  Reply
Tash
May 26, 2015 at 9:44 am

Thai tea is one of my absolute favorite things!! Thanks for the great recipe <3
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 26, 2015 at 3:33 pm
  
  Mine too Tash! I just adore Thai Iced Tea 🙂
  Reply
Juliette
May 26, 2015 at 9:57 am

I was horrified when I bought a bag a Thai iced tea and it was green tea with food coloring. That's it! I was bummed. I also made my own real food version. I use loose leaf green or black tea and add in grated turmeric root. It adds the perfect coloring, a wonderful earthy flavor, and health benefits too! After its brewed I sweeten with honey and add milk. I have not tried powdered turmeric as I've been lucky enough to find fresh so far (near the ginger root in produce section). I will try your ingredients next time, or maybe combine recipes!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 26, 2015 at 3:34 pm
  
  Oh that's a great idea! I've never thought of adding turmeric. Fabulous idea!!!
  Reply
Andrea Fabry
May 26, 2015 at 12:17 pm

Who needs a sugary chai tea drink from Starbucks? This looks awesome!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 26, 2015 at 3:32 pm
  
  Exactly! 🙂 Thanks Andrea.
  Reply
Marilee
May 26, 2015 at 2:01 pm

I spent 12 days in Chaing Mai, Thailand in 2006 and I absolutely miss my Thai Iced Tea. I want to give you a hug for creating a real, clean food version of the drink we both love so much. I am definitely going to making this in large batches on a regular basis. Hmm, I have a housewarming party for my new place in July and I think this will be perfect for the party 🙂
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 26, 2015 at 3:31 pm
  
  How fun! I bet that was amazing! Sounds like a fun idea for your housewarming party too! 🙂
  Reply
Loriel
May 27, 2015 at 5:23 am

This looks incredibly delicious and refreshing. I'm going to have to make it! Sharing on my Facebook page.
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 27, 2015 at 1:47 pm
  
  Thanks Loriel! I appreciate it! I hope you get to enjoy some 🙂
  Reply
Rachel
May 29, 2015 at 6:36 am

Thai Iced Tea is one of those treats I'm always wishing I could have more regularly. So glad to see your recipe!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  May 31, 2015 at 3:33 pm
  
  Thanks! I feel the same way.
  Reply
Elita
July 24, 2015 at 8:10 am

Confused by ginger; not in recipe, but mentioned in Notes section not to use for caffeine free version.
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  July 25, 2015 at 1:10 pm
  
  If you click on the link for the Chai Tea recipe listed in the notes you will see why I mentioned to omit the ginger ~ it's listed as an ingredient in that recipe 🙂
  Reply
Vicki
July 25, 2015 at 3:40 pm

For the caffeine free version how much of the mix do you substitute for the black tea bags?
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  July 26, 2015 at 2:29 pm
  
  You would make the full mix {all of the spices and herbs} of the chai tea, minus the ginger and black pepper + reducing the amount of cloves.
  Reply
Mira
March 10, 2017 at 8:42 am

I love that you could make it with coconut milk for a dairy-free option!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  March 11, 2017 at 7:09 pm
  
  Thanks Mira! It's delicious with coconut milk 🙂
  Reply
Dawn
April 22, 2017 at 7:37 pm

This sounds so wonderful! I need to keep my glycemic load low so would not want to use honey (well I'd WANT to because I love honey). Would it drastically affect the flavor to not use it? Thanks!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  April 23, 2017 at 6:52 pm
  
  You know, I'm sure you could play around with that part. Is there something else you can use instead? I'm sure stevia would work, it will change the flavor a bit, but I'm sure it would still be good. 🙂
  Reply