How to Make Coffee Milk Tea at Home

You’re craving something creamy, caffeinated, and comforting—maybe something like the nostalgic coffee milk tea you’ve had before, but aren’t sure how to recreate it at home. You’ve got tea, coffee, milk, and sugar in the pantry, but putting them together in the right balance isn’t obvious. Here’s exactly how to do it, using everyday ingredients and no special equipment.

To make a standard cup of coffee milk tea, use 2 black tea bags, 40ml of evaporated milk (also called ‘plant-based light cream’ or ), 1 packet of instant coffee, 10 grams of sugar, and 200ml of hot water. Brew the tea first, then layer in the milk and coffee for smooth balance.

What Is Coffee Milk Tea?

Coffee milk tea is a blended hot drink combining brewed black tea with instant coffee, sweetened and enriched with evaporated milk. It’s thicker and creamier than plain milk tea, with a balanced caffeine kick from both tea and coffee. This version uses basic pantry ingredients: no fresh milk, no espresso machine, no syrups. It’s a straightforward formula often served as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Why This Recipe Works

The key to this coffee milk tea lies in the layering: tea is steeped first to extract body and tannins, then evaporated milk is stirred in for richness without dilution. Instant coffee is added afterward to preserve clarity of flavor, and sugar is stirred last to balance the bitterness of the tea and coffee. Using 200ml of water split between tea and coffee ensures neither overpowers the other. The 10g sugar level is mild but effective for a balanced cup.

Ingredients Breakdown

• 2 black tea bags (standard strength)
• 40ml evaporated milk (also labeled or plant-based light cream)
• 1 packet instant coffee powder
• 10 grams white sugar
• 200ml boiling water (split: 100ml for tea, 100ml for coffee)

Step-by-Step Method

Follow this sequence for the best flavor balance:

1. Brew the Tea: Place 2 black tea bags in a cup. Pour in 100ml of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags.
2. Add Evaporated Milk: Stir in 40ml of evaporated milk until fully mixed. This adds creaminess and tempers the tea’s astringency.
3. Brew the Coffee: In a separate cup, add 1 packet of instant coffee powder. Pour in the remaining 100ml of boiling water. Stir until dissolved.
4. Combine Coffee with Tea: Pour the dissolved instant coffee into the tea and milk mixture. Stir gently to combine.
5. Sweeten: Add 10 grams of sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Adjust to taste if needed.

Serve hot for a traditional afternoon tea experience, or let it cool and serve over ice for a refreshing iced version.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t brew the tea for less than 20 minutes—it needs time to develop body.
• Avoid adding sugar before the coffee—it won’t dissolve evenly.
• Don’t use fresh milk in place of evaporated milk unless you want a thinner texture.
• Using more than 10g sugar will overpower the subtle bitterness balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh milk instead of evaporated milk?

Yes, but the texture will be thinner and the flavor less rich. Evaporated milk is thicker and adds a creamy mouthfeel that balances the bitterness of tea and coffee better. If using fresh milk, try whole milk for the closest match.

Do I have to steep the tea for 20 minutes?

For this recipe, yes. A 20-minute steep extracts enough tannins and body to stand up to the coffee and milk. Shorter brewing results in a weaker tea base.

Can I use ground coffee instead of instant?

This recipe is designed for instant coffee powder for simplicity and fast dissolution. Using ground coffee would require brewing through a filter or French press, changing the method and timing.

Is this recipe suitable for iced coffee milk tea?

Absolutely. Let the final mixture cool, then pour over ice. The ratios and method remain the same, though you may prefer to slightly reduce the sugar if drinking cold.

What if I don’t have plant-based light cream ?

Evaporated milk is the closest substitute. If you have neither, you can use half-and-half or a light mix of whole milk with a bit of cream, though the texture will vary slightly.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Milk Tea

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for a bright, fruity note that lifts the tea-coffee blend, or their Yirgacheffe for floral and citrus brightness. Both single origins complement the creamy milk tea base without clashing. For a deeper profile, their Classic Blend offers balanced malt and chocolate tones that pair smoothly with evaporated milk. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.