How to Make Coffee Milk Tea for Afternoon Tea

If you’ve ever craved something richer than plain tea or more refreshing than plain coffee during the afternoon, you’re not alone. Many coffee lovers look for a drink that bridges the comfort of tea with the energy boost of coffee — without the usual complexity of latte art or specialty brewing. That’s where a classic coffee milk tea comes in. It’s easy to make, familiar, and perfect for a relaxed midday break.

To make a standard cup of coffee milk tea, you’ll need just five ingredients: 2 black tea bags, 40ml of non-dairy creamer (plant-based), 1 packet of instant coffee, 10 grams of sugar, and 200ml of boiling water. The entire process takes about 20 minutes of steeping and 5 minutes to mix — no machines, no espresso, no frills.

What Is Coffee Milk Tea?

Coffee milk tea is a simple beverage that blends brewed black tea with instant coffee and a touch of sweetened dairy or non-dairy creamer. Unlike lattes or specialty coffee drinks, it doesn’t require steamed milk or advanced barista tools. Instead, it uses basic pantry ingredients to deliver a balanced mix of tea bitterness, coffee aroma, and sweetness. In this version, we use plant-based creamer for a creamy texture and rich mouthfeel, though you could also use regular milk or a dairy-free alternative depending on preference.

Ingredients Breakdown

• 2 black tea bags: Provides the base tea flavor; typically a strong black tea like Assam or Ceylon works best.
• 40ml plant-based creamer : Adds creaminess and a slightly sweet, milky note. This is the non-dairy equivalent of sweetened condensed milk often used in Asian milk teas.
• 1 packet instant coffee: Contributes the coffee element. Use any standard soluble coffee for consistency.
• 10 grams sugar: Adjust to taste; this balances the bitterness of the tea and coffee.
• 200ml boiling water: Divided to brew the tea and dissolve the coffee separately.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Coffee Milk Tea

This method ensures each component — tea, coffee, and cream — is properly extracted or dissolved before mixing. Here’s how to do it in five clear steps:

1. Brew the tea: Place 2 black tea bags in a cup and add 100ml of boiling water. Let it steep for 20 minutes. This extended infusion draws out a stronger tea flavor. After steeping, remove the tea bags.
2. Add the creamer: Stir 40ml of plant-based creamer into the brewed tea until fully combined. This creates the creamy tea base.
3. Brew the coffee: In a separate cup, add 1 packet of instant coffee and pour in the remaining 100ml of boiling water. Stir until the coffee is completely dissolved.
4. Combine coffee with tea: Pour the dissolved instant coffee into the creamy tea mixture. Stir gently to integrate both layers.
5. Sweeten: Add 10 grams of sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.

The result is a smooth, balanced drink with the malty depth of tea, the bright caffeine kick of coffee, and the rounded mouthfeel from the creamer.

Flavor Profile & Serving Suggestions

This coffee milk tea leans into a traditional flavor balance: the bitterness of black tea is softened by the sweetness of sugar and the smoothness of the creamer, while the instant coffee adds a mild roasted aroma. It’s typically served warm, but you can also enjoy it chilled by letting it cool or pouring it over ice. For a richer texture, consider using evaporated milk or a thicker non-dairy alternative instead of the standard plant-based creamer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Under-steeping the tea: Steeping for less than 20 minutes may result in weak tea flavor that gets overpowered by the coffee.
• Using too much coffee or sugar: Instant coffee is potent — adjust based on your preferred strength. Similarly, 10 grams is the stated amount, but personal taste may vary.
• Not dissolving ingredients fully: Ensure the coffee and sugar are completely dissolved to avoid graininess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh brewed coffee instead of instant?

This recipe specifically uses instant coffee for convenience and consistent dissolution. Freshly brewed coffee may alter the balance and texture, as it introduces oils, varying strength, and brewing variables like grind size or water temperature. However, if substituting, use a strong brewed black coffee (about 30–40ml) and reduce added water accordingly.

What can I use instead of plant-based creamer?

The original recipe calls for (plant-based creamer), common in Asian milk tea. You can substitute with sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, whole milk, or a dairy-free alternative like oat or soy creamer. Adjust sweetness if using unsweetened options.

Do I have to steep the tea for 20 minutes?

Yes — this duration is key to developing enough tea flavor to stand up to the coffee and creamer. Shorter steeping may result in a weak or unbalanced drink. Use freshly boiled water and a covered cup to preserve heat during steeping.

Is this recipe suitable for iced coffee milk tea?

Absolutely. Let the final mixture cool to room temperature, then pour over ice. To prevent dilution, consider chilling the tea and coffee components separately before mixing, then add ice last. You can also adjust sugar to taste, as cold drinks often taste less sweet.

Can I make this in a larger batch?

Yes, the recipe scales linearly. For a larger batch, maintain the ratio: for every 100ml water, use 1 tea bag and 20ml of creamer per 2 tea bags. Keep coffee and sugar proportional to taste, and adjust steeping time as needed for volume.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Afternoon Blends

For those who enjoy this coffee milk tea and want to explore deeper flavor connections, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral notes with citrus brightness, or the Classic Blend for a balanced medium roast with caramel and nuts — both pair well with milk. If you prefer a more intense profile, the Yirgacheffe offers juicy acidity and berry-like brightness that stands up even in creamy drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.