Thai coffee (Oliang) is a delightful beverage that captures the vibrant flavors of Thai street drinks. This recipe combines the robustness of dark roast coffee with a touch of sweetened condensed milk and aromatic spices, resulting in a truly satisfying and authentic Thai experience.
For more tea and coffee drink recipes, check out Thai green tea, Thai tea boba, Authentic Thai iced tea, Thai tea limeade, and Thai butterfly pea tea.
Thai iced coffee is a must-try whether you are a coffee lover or simply seeking a new and exciting drink. Discover the magic of Oliang and elevate your coffee game to new heights.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Thai coffee recipe
- What is Oliang?
- The Original Thai coffee, a street drink
- What is the main difference between Thai and Vietnamese iced coffee?
- Ingredients for Thai Iced Coffee recipe
- How to Make Thai Coffee (Oliang)
- Garnishing Options
- Helpful Kitchen Notes and Tips
- Helpful Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
- What to Serve With Thai Iced Coffee
- Variations
- Storage
- Substitute
- Top Tip
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Thai Recipes You'll Love
- Thai Coffee (Oliang)
- Related
- Pairing
Why You'll Love Thai coffee recipe
- If you are a coffee drinker and appreciate strong brewed coffee, this traditional Thai coffee will get you hooked and become a part of your day in no time!
- This homemade Thai iced coffee offers a harmonious blend of strong coffee and sweetened condensed milk, creating a balanced and flavorful drink.
- It's a delicious drink perfect for sipping during the hot summer days or any time of the year, especially when you need a strong iced coffee.
- Easy-to-follow steps that allow you to recreate the beloved Thai coffee shop experience in your kitchen.
- Customizable to suit your taste preferences, make it as strong as you'd like by adding more or less coffee, making it a versatile choice for all coffee enthusiasts.
What is Oliang?
Oliang, also known as Thai iced coffee, is a popular beverage in Thailand that originates from the Chinese community. It's characterized by its use of dark roast coffee and a unique blend of spices and sweeteners that create a distinct flavor profile. This flavorful coffee is typically enjoyed over ice, making it a perfect choice for cooling off in the tropical Southeast Asian climate. You can
The Original Thai coffee, a street drink
When it comes to experiencing the true taste of Thailand, nothing compares to sipping on an authentic Thai iced coffee. As a Thai, I take great pride in my country's rich coffee culture.
While modern coffee shops have popped up everywhere, offering a decent cup of coffee, my heart still belongs to the traditional street vendors. These humble vendors serve up the most flavorful and refreshing iced Thai coffee you can find. It's a taste that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
One of my favorite memories is visiting "my" market near my village. Every year, without fail, I make a beeline for the stall that sells the best iced Thai coffee. The drink is served in a plastic bag with a rubber band tied to one edge to create a makeshift handle. It may not be the most conventional serving cup, but it adds to the authenticity and charm of the experience.
As I take my first sip, the sweet coffee dances on my taste buds, awakening my senses. The unique blend of Thai coffee beans, brewed to perfection and mixed with condensed milk, creates a delightful harmony of flavors. It's a taste that transports me back to the streets of Thailand, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air.
What is the main difference between Thai and Vietnamese iced coffee?
The main difference between Thai and Vietnamese iced coffee lies in the brewing process, using different methods. While both use a drip method with a drip filter, Thai coffee is brewed using a traditional Thai filter, which allows for a slower extraction and a more intense flavor. Vietnamese coffee, on the other hand, is brewed using a phin filter, resulting in a slightly milder taste.
Ingredients for Thai Iced Coffee recipe
- Oliang coffee powder is a dark roast coffee ground in most Asian supermarkets.
- Sweetened condensed milk. This is why the coffee is so tasty! (;
- Evaporated milk. Use it to top off the drink with a little extra creaminess. Choose any milk option for a substitute.
- Sugar. Use as needed for sweetness.
- Salt. It helps round out the sweetness a bit.
- Hot water. For steeping the coffee
- Ice cubes. Be generous with the ice for the refreshing goodness of your Thai coffee.
How to Make Thai Coffee (Oliang)
I'm sharing two easy methods you can make Thai Iced Coffee. When Thai people order drinks from cart vendors, the drinks are made fresh using a cloth bag to steep the tea in hot water and then mixed with condensed milk. My recipe makes 4-6 drinks. After all the effort of making this delicious coffee, I don't want to enjoy just one cup of coffee. You can cut the recipe in half. (:
Check the recipe card below for the measurements. You can refrigerate the coffee for up to 3 days and freeze them in iced cube trays for up to 3 months.
French press method
Step 1. In a heat-safe bowl or drinking pitcher, add sugar, condensed milk, and salt to a heat-safe glass bowl and whisk the sugar mixture together.
Step 2. Prepare the coffee. In a French press, pour hot water over the Olaing coffee ground and steep for 4-6 minutes or up to 10 minutes if you love strong coffee. Press the French press plunger to separate the coffee grounds and pour the coffee into a tea sock, cheesecloth, or muslin bag to filter out any loose ground coffee beans.
Step 3. Pour the strained coffee into a bowl with condensed milk, sugar, and salt and whisk well until the coffee is smooth and the sugar dissolve. Mix well until the flavors are fully incorporated.
Step 4. Allow the coffee mixture to cool slightly before serving. To serve, fill a tall glass with ice cubes and pour the chilled coffee mixture over the ice. Top off with evaporated milk for added creaminess. Done!
Stovetop method
Follow step 1 above, then come to this section if using the stovetop method.
Step 2. Bring water to a soft boil, turn the heat off, and leave the pot on the stovetop. Add Thai coffee mix to the pot, and stir until all the leaves are submerged. Set a timer for 4-6 minutes, up to 10 mins if preferring strong coffee. After the timer, strain the coffee over a cheesecloth or tea sock. Stir the coffee well with the condensed milk mixture.
Step 3-4 is the same as the French press section above!
That's it! Enjoy your Thai coffee!
Garnishing Options
- Sprinkle ground cardamom or ground cinnamon on top for an extra layer of flavor. It's not a Thai thing but an option if you love spices.
- Add a drizzle of maple syrup or more condensed milk for sweetness.
- Garnish with a splash of heavy cream for a creamier texture.
Helpful Kitchen Notes and Tips
- For a more robust coffee flavor, add more ground coffee and let it steep longer.
- Adjust the amount of sweetened condensed milk according to your taste preferences.
- Traditional Thai iced coffee is often served very sweet, but you can customize the sweetness level to your liking.
- Use Monk fruit sugar instead of white sugar for a healthier option.
Helpful Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
- French press or copper stainless steel
- Cheesecloth or a slightly higher-grade material
- Tea or coffee sock filter
- Ice cube trays
- Large pot for boiling tapioca balls
- Reusable large straws for boba tea
- Tall glasses for serving drinks
- Large pitcher for storing and refrigerating the coffee concentrate
- Heat-safe glass bowl
What to Serve With Thai Iced Coffee
- Thai snacks, such as coconut rice cakes, corn fritters, or shrimp cakes complement the coffee's flavors.
- Enjoy it as a standalone refreshing beverage.
Variations
- Experiment with different types of milk, such as coconut milk, half-and-half, coffee creamer, or plant-based milk.
Storage
- Store the coffee concentrate in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze leftover Oliang in ice cube trays in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Substitute
- Substitute white sugar for brown sugar, monk fruit sugar, honey, agave, or maple syrup for alternative sweetness.
Top Tip
- Put your leftover tea in ice cube trays and freeze them. Take them out of the container once they're frozen. When you want something refreshing and sweet, put the tea cubes in a tall glass and pour in your favorite fresh milk. Let it melt, mix it all, and enjoy your leftover tea this way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding personal preferences, you can use a different type of coffee bean for your Thai iced coffee. However, it's important to note that the main ingredient in Thai coffee is usually robusta beans, which have a stronger and more bitter flavor than other beans.
Absolutely! You can make a large batch of Thai iced coffee for a gathering. Double or triple the recipe by adjusting the quantities of the ingredients accordingly and ensuring that your brewing method can accommodate a larger volume.
To adjust the sweetness level of your Thai iced coffee, you can add or reduce the amount of sweetener you use. Many recipes call for condensed milk or sugar syrup, so adding more or less can help you achieve your desired sweetness.
Thai iced coffee is typically served with milk, so it is not typically served in black. However, you can always customize it to your preference and enjoy it without milk.
The ingredients for Thai iced coffee can usually be found at regular supermarkets, especially if they have a section dedicated to international or specialty foods. However, if you're having trouble finding specific ingredients like Thai coffee or vanilla extract, you may need to visit specialty stores or order them online.
If you cannot find Thai coffee, you can substitute it with a strong and bold flavor of dark roast coffee. As for the vanilla extract, you can also use vanilla syrup or even skip it if you don't have any on hand. The key is experimenting and finding what works best for your taste preferences.
More Thai Recipes You'll Love
- Thai iced tea, Cha Yen
- Thai tea with boba pearls
- Mango boba tea
- Thai pink milk
- Thai tea limeade
- 10-minute tamarind tea
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Thai Coffee (Oliang)
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 5-6
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in the rich and refreshing world of Thai coffee (Oliang), a delightful beverage that captures the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia. This recipe combines the robustness of dark roast coffee with a touch of sweetened condensed milk and aromatic spices, resulting in a truly satisfying and authentic Thai experience.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Thai coffee powder mixes-Oliang Panthai brand. Find these at your local Asian grocery store.
- 4 cups water
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1-2 tablespoons evaporated milk per glass. Add More as needed.
- ⅓ cup sugar. Use as needed for sweetness.
- ⅛ teaspoon salt. It helps round out the sweetness a bit.
- Ice cubes (for refreshing coolness to add to the glass of Thai tea boba. As much as needed.
Instructions
French press method
- In a heat-safe bowl or drinking pitcher, add sugar, condensed milk, and salt and whisk the sugar mixture together.
- Prepare the coffee. In a French press, pour hot water over the Olaing coffee ground and steep for 4-6 minutes or up to 10 minutes if you love strong coffee. Press the French press plunger to separate the coffee grounds and pour the coffee into a tea sock, cheesecloth, or muslin bag, into the bowl of sugar mixture, to filter out any loose ground coffee beans.
- Pour the strained coffee into a bowl with condensed milk, sugar, and salt and whisk well until the coffee is smooth and the sugar dissolve. Mix well until the flavors are fully incorporated.
- Allow the coffee mixture to cool slightly before serving. To serve, fill a tall glass with ice cubes and pour the chilled coffee mixture over the ice. Top off with evaporated milk for added creaminess. Done!
Stovetop method
- Follow step 1 above, then come to this section if using the stovetop method.
- Bring water to a soft boil, turn the heat off, and leave the pot on the stovetop. Add Thai coffee mix to the pot, and stir until all the leaves are submerged. Set a timer for 4-6 minutes, up to 10 mins if preferring strong coffee. After the timer, strain the coffee over a cheesecloth or tea sock. Stir the coffee well with the condensed milk mixture.
- Step 3-4 is the same as the French press section above!
That's it! Enjoy your Thai coffee!
Notes
- For a more robust coffee flavor, add more ground coffee and let it steep longer.
- Adjust the amount of sweetened condensed milk according to your taste preferences.
- Traditional Thai iced coffee is often served very sweet, but you can customize the sweetness level to your liking.
- Use Monk fruit sugar instead of white sugar for a healthier option.
** Thank you so much for visiting my blog! This is truly a passion for me. If you have enjoyed these recipes and appreciate the hard work I put into them, I would love it if you would share them with your friends! Your recommendation is the highest review I could hope for, and I’d appreciate it! **
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
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Pairing
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Suwanee says
Thank you, Bon. Enjoy this classic Thai drink!
Bon says
Love Oliang. Perfect recipe to follow.
Suwanee says
I'm so delighted to hear this, Amy, so happy the recipe was perfect for you!
Amy says
Great recipe! Easy to make and turned out great. Perfect for a hot summer day.