Raw/Vegan THai Ice Tea

[johnbarnesiii]

Hello,

I've always LOVED Thai Ice Tea, but I know its not the healthiest drink in the world (still beats Coke, though).

I had an idea to try making a healthy raw/vegan version of the classic Thai Ice Tea that tastes just as good as the original.

What type of tea do they use? As far as I know, its just some type of black tea, condensed milk, sweetner and crushed ice.

Any ideas to make this raw/vegan and taste very close to the original?

[RawKnitster]

Is Thai tea anything like Chai tea? I like to make a Rooibos Chai tea mixed with almond milk and sweetened with honey or agave. I usually drink it hot, but chilled and blended with ice would be good, too.

[c'estlaviebelle]

You can buy thai iced tea bags, and make a raw iced tea (just keep the temp low on the water), and then substitute a thick cashew mylk or macadamia mylk for the condensed milk, and add agave and ice. I bet that would work no problem :) Try it out and let us know how it goes.

[nightheron]

I'm looking to figure this out as well. I'm hosting a raw Thai dinner party later this month and thought it would be a perfect beverage... The ones I had back when I drank milk used some kind of tea that was a lovely deep shade of orange. If anyone tries this, please post your results!

[walnutty]

My little sis loves thai tea so I went to an asian market to get some for her to make at home. They had tea bags and loose tea and both were called "thai tea". Check out your local asian market and ask for "Thai Tea", they are sure to have it. After the tea is brewed (or soaked in cool water for us) you could add almond milk and honey and the end result should be the orange thai tea you get at thai restaurants. Good luck!

[nightheron]

My little sis loves thai tea so I went to an asian market to get some for her to make at home. They had tea bags and loose tea and both were called "thai tea". Check out your local asian market and ask for "Thai Tea", they are sure to have it. After the tea is brewed (or soaked in cool water for us) you could add almond milk and honey and the end result should be the orange thai tea you get at thai restaurants. Good luck!

Thanks walnutty!

[nellie]

Here is a recipe -
http://www.thespicehouse.com/recipes/thai-iced-tea

I believe its the star anise that gives it the distinctive orange color although it appears 'orange blossoms' are a traditional ingredient.

[MiahTay]

In the past I've substituted coconut milk for the condensed milk and it was good so I would imagine you could blend the water from a young coconut with enough of the flesh to make it thickish and that could work for the condensed milk. Let us know if you find something that really works.

Blessings,
Heather

[raweater]

You can buy thai iced tea bags, and make a raw iced tea (just keep the temp low on the water), and then substitute a thick cashew mylk or macadamia mylk for the condensed milk, and add agave and ice. I bet that would work no problem :) Try it out and let us know how it goes.

I'm quite sure the tea leaves are already cooked so you can't make a raw tea even using cold water.

I sometimes make a chai milkshake which I guess you can call iced tea with ice, water, walnuts, honey, chai spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, pepper, vanilla) and salt all blended, no straining needed.

You can adjust the spices and amount of walnuts to adjust taste and richness.