There’s nothing better than an ice cold beverage during a hot day.

I always start my day in the morning with a hot cup of coffee, but when the weather gets warmer, I swap it out with a cup of iced coffee.

If you are a fan of iced coffee, don’t miss this easy to make and delicious Thai iced coffee.

What is Thai coffee?

Thailand is known for its amazing street food. One of the things you may encounter on a hunt for the best street food is coffee. Thai iced coffee is a popular drink also called “Oliang” or “Oleang.” The literal meaning of the name is “black iced coffee.”

Traditionally, Thai iced coffee is made as a strong coffee brewed by using a special gadget which looks like a cloth filter bag attached to a handle. The barista puts the coffee in the filter bag, then pours over hot water and lets it drip into a pitcher. It is then served over ice along with condensed milk.

What does Thai iced coffee taste like?

Thai iced coffee is sweet due to the condensed milk. But it also contains a special ingredient, cardamom, which is a versatile spice belonging to the ginger family. It has a complex flavor profile. When it is added to Thai iced coffee, cardamom is able to help balance out the bitterness of the coffee and add in a rich layer of complexity.

Here’s our version you can make easily at home.

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You can use an Oliang Powder Mix to make Thai iced coffee but we prefer using freshly ground coffee. We recommend a dark roast espresso that can be made either in an espresso machine, or if you don’t have one, in a moka pot.

Skip below to a printable recipe or keep reading and follow along with our step by step directions.

Thai Iced Coffee Ingredients

2 shots dark roast espresso (or 4 ounces of strong brewed coffee)
1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder
2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
4 ounces milk
Ice cubes

How to Make Thai Iced Coffee

Step 1

Pour sweetened condensed milk into a tall glass.

Step 2

Add cardamom powder into espresso or strong brewed coffee and stir to combine.

Step 3

Pour the mixture into the glass. Slowly pour in milk.

Step 4

Add as much ice you want, stir well and enjoy!

Thai Iced Coffee vs Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Thai iced coffee may sound familiar if you’ve had Vietnamese iced coffee before. They are both served cold but Thai iced coffee as mentioned above, includes the secret ingredient, cardamom, which makes the coffee so different from anything you might have had before.

It is a strong and highly aromatic spice used in cooking throughout the world and when added to Thai iced coffee, it balances out any bitterness and gives your iced coffee a unique taste.