How to Make Thick Coffee Milk Tea for Summer Afternoon

If you're craving something thicker and more satisfying than plain iced coffee on a hot afternoon—but still want that caffeine kick—this coffee milk tea might be your answer. Combining the boldness of black tea, the creaminess of evaporated-style milk, and the intensity of instant coffee, it’s a layered drink often enjoyed as a sweet, indulgent pick-me-up in Asia, especially during summer.

To make a classic version, you’ll need just five ingredients: two black tea bags, 40ml of non-dairy creamer-style milk, one packet of instant coffee, 10 grams of sugar, and 200ml of hot water. That’s it. The entire drink comes together in under 30 minutes, with most of the time spent steeping the tea.

What Is Coffee Milk Tea?

Coffee milk tea isn’t a traditional chai or bubble tea—it’s a hybrid drink that blends brewed black tea with instant coffee and sweetened milk. The result is a creamy, lightly sweetened beverage with both tea tannins and coffee bitterness. It’s especially popular in regions where iced or blended coffee drinks need a richer mouthfeel without dairy. While not a specialty coffee drink per se, it shares the goal of balancing strength, sweetness, and texture—something any coffee enthusiast can appreciate.

Why This Recipe Works

This particular recipe balances four key elements: robust tea flavor from a long steep, creamy body from evaporated-style milk , instant coffee for intensity, and sugar to round it out. Unlike a latte or milk tea made with fresh milk, this version uses —a type of sweetened, creamy non-dairy liquid common in parts of Asia—which contributes to the thick, velvety texture many associate with old-school coffee milk tea. The 20-minute tea infusion ensures a strong base, while the instant coffee provides instant impact without needing an espresso machine.

Step-by-Step: How to Make It

You’ll combine two elements separately then bring them together:

• Tea Base: Place two black tea bags in a cup, pour in 100ml of boiling water, and steep for 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags. This extended steep extracts deep color and tannins.
• Add Creamy Milk: Stir 40ml of (non-dairy creamer-style milk) into the brewed tea until smooth. This adds thickness and a subtle cooked-milk sweetness.
• Brew the Coffee: In a separate cup, add one packet of instant coffee and the remaining 100ml of boiling water. Stir until fully dissolved. Instant coffee dissolves easily and provides immediate coffee flavor without equipment.
• Combine & Sweeten: Pour the coffee mixture into the tea-milk blend. Add 10 grams of sugar (adjust to taste), stir well until everything is evenly mixed. Serve warm or chilled.

The final cup should be smooth, lightly sweet, and noticeably thick—closer in body to a milk tea latte than a black coffee. The tea provides astringency, the coffee brings bitterness and aroma, and the ties it together with creaminess.

Can I Customize This Drink?

Absolutely. While the original recipe calls for instant coffee and , you can experiment with freshly brewed espresso, substitute regular milk or a dairy-free alternative, or adjust the sugar to taste. Want it stronger? Use more instant coffee or steep the tea longer. Prefer it iced? Let the mixture cool and pour over ice. For a more dessert-like treat, add a spoonful of condensed milk instead of sugar.

Why Use Instead of Fresh Milk?

is a shelf-stable evaporated milk product widely used in Asian kitchens for its thick, creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor. It’s not the same as fresh dairy milk or even sweetened condensed milk—but it delivers a rich mouthfeel without needing to steam milk. That makes it ideal for quick preparation and consistent results, especially if you don’t have an espresso machine or steamer at home. If you’re aiming for a more “Western” style milk tea, fresh whole milk or oat milk can be substituted, though the texture will be thinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the role of in this recipe?

is a non-dairy, evaporated milk product that adds creaminess and a slightly sweet taste to the coffee milk tea. It’s used in place of fresh milk to achieve a thick, velvety texture without needing to steam or froth milk. It’s common in Asian recipes for drinks that need rich body.

Can I use fresh milk instead of ?

Yes, you can substitute fresh milk (dairy or plant-based), but the texture will be thinner and less sweet. is specifically chosen for its creamy, cooked-milk richness and convenience. Using fresh milk will change the mouthfeel and sweetness profile slightly.

Do I have to steep the tea for 20 minutes?

The 20-minute steep extracts maximum color and tannin from the black tea, giving the base a strong flavor that balances the coffee. Shorter steeping will result in a weaker tea taste. If you’re in a rush, steep for at least 5–10 minutes, but expect a lighter-bodied drink.

Can I use ground coffee instead of instant?

The recipe is designed for instant coffee for ease and speed. If using ground coffee, you’ll need to brew it separately (via pour-over, French press, or espresso), then cool and mix. Instant dissolves directly in hot water, making it more convenient for this quick recipe.

Is this drink very sweet?

With 10 grams of sugar, it’s moderately sweet—similar to classic Asian milk tea. Adjust the sugar to your taste, or use a sugar substitute. The also contributes slight sweetness, so the overall drink is balanced, not overly sugary.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Milk-Based Coffee Drinks

For those who enjoy this coffee milk tea and want to explore deeper coffee-milk synergy, FrontStreet Coffee offers several excellent options. Their Classic Blend replicates the balanced profile of traditional espresso with notes of black chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, and malt, making it smooth in milk. The Brazil Queen Manor SOE highlights yellow bourbon’s natural sweetness with flavors of almond, milk chocolate, and caramel—perfect for pairing with creamy textures. Finally, the PWN Golden Mandheling SOE delivers bold spices, dark caramel, and hints of black cherry, all balanced enough to shine even when mixed with milk. These beans are ideal if you want to recreate a more premium, fresh-brewed version of the coffee element in your milk tea. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.