Making Hong Kong Style Iced Milk Tea You Should Know

You make Hong Kong style iced milk tea by brewing a strong black tea blend, mixing in sweetened condensed milk, then serving it over ice. Over 55% of Hong Kong residents pick this as their top drink. You can create authentic flavor at home, just follow some easy steps.

Key Takeaways

• Pick a strong black tea blend, like Ceylon or English breakfast. This will give your drink a bold taste. Let the tea steep for 5 to 7 minutes. This helps the flavor get stronger.
• You can use sweetened condensed milk for a sweeter drink. Or use evaporated milk if you want it creamy but not too sweet.
• Pour your iced milk tea over ice in a glass. This keeps your drink cold. Add more or less ice to change how strong it tastes. This can make the flavor better.

Hong Kong style ingredients & tools

To make real hong kong milk tea, you need the right ingredients and tools. Let’s break down what you’ll need for that signature taste.

Tea blend

The black tea base is the heart of hong kong milk tea. You want a strong, bold flavor. Most recipes use a mix of these key ingredients:

• Ceylon tea (famous for its aroma and taste)
• English breakfast tea
• Earl grey

The black tea base gives the drink its deep color and rich taste. Using a blend of strong black teas like Ceylon, Golden Tips Assam, or Raw Puerh helps you get that classic flavor. Steep your black tea base for at least 15 minutes to pull out all the bold notes.

Milk options

Milk is another key ingredient in hong kong milk tea. You have two main choices:

• Sweetened condensed milk: This is thick, sweet, and creamy. It’s made by removing water from milk and adding sugar.
• Evaporated milk: This is creamy but not sweet. It has no added sugar.

Tip: Sweetened condensed milk gives your hong kong milk tea a rich, dessert-like taste. Evaporated milk makes it smooth and creamy without extra sweetness.

Equipment

You need a few tools to make hong kong milk tea at home:

• A pot or kettle for boiling water
• A strainer or the traditional cloth bag (called the “pantyhose” method)
• A large glass for serving over ice

The traditional sackcloth bag helps filter the black tea base and makes the drink extra smooth. If you don’t have one, use a fine mesh strainer. Don’t forget plenty of ice—this is iced milk tea, after all!

Hong Kong iced milk tea steps

Brew tea

Ready to start? Grab your tea blend and follow these instructions. You want a strong base for hong kong style iced milk tea. Use the traditional method for brewing. Measure out 8 tablespoons of tea leaves. If you like your tea extra bold, you can use up to 10 tablespoons. Pour 4 cups of boiling water over the tea leaves. Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes. This step pulls out the deep flavor you need. The traditional method calls for over-steeping. That means you let the tea sit a little longer. The extra time gives your hong kong milk tea a rich taste that stands up to the creamy milk. The natural bitterness from the black tea will balance out the sweetness later.

Tip: Don’t worry if the tea tastes strong or a bit bitter. The sweetened condensed milk will smooth it out.

• Use 8-10 tablespoons of tea leaves
• Add 4 cups boiling water
• Steep for 5-7 minutes

Add milk

Now you get to add the creamy part. Strain the tea using the traditional cloth bag or a fine mesh strainer. This method makes your hong kong style drink smooth. Pour the strained tea into a pitcher or large cup. Add sweetened condensed milk. The amount depends on your taste, but most recipes suggest starting with 1 tablespoon. You can also add evaporated milk for extra creaminess. The traditional method mixes both types of milk for a classic hong kong milk tea flavor.

Stir well until the milk blends with the tea. Taste and adjust the sweetness if you want. The traditional method lets you control how creamy or sweet your hong kong iced milk tea turns out.

Serve over ice

Almost done! Grab a 12oz. or 16oz. glass. Fill it partway with ice cubes. The traditional method uses just enough ice to chill the drink without watering it down. Pour your hong kong style milk tea over the ice. If you want a stronger flavor, use fewer ice cubes. The instructions are simple: pour, taste, and enjoy. You can garnish with a straw or a slice of lemon if you like.

Note: The fewer ice cubes you use, the less diluted your hong kong iced milk tea will be.

Now you have a glass of hong kong style iced milk tea. The traditional method gives you a creamy, bold, and refreshing drink. Follow these instructions and you’ll get that classic hong kong milk tea taste every time.

Hong Kong milk tea tips & fixes

Flavor tips

You want your hong kong milk tea to taste just right. Start with a strong tea blend and steep it longer than usual. This helps the tea stand up to the creamy texture from sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk. If you want a silkier mouthfeel, try adding eggshells during steeping. This old-school trick reduces bitterness and gives your iced version a smooth finish. Adjust sweetness by adding sugar to taste. Balance the sugar with the bold tea flavor so your drink stays rich and satisfying.

Tip: Aim for a foamy layer on top. That’s a signature of traditional hong kong milk tea.

Serving ideas

Presentation makes your iced version extra special. Use a glass instead of a mug, just like in traditional hong kong milk tea shops. Pour the tea into a glass that’s half full of milk, then add ice cubes. You can use large ice cubes to keep the drink cold without watering it down. Try serving with a straw or a slice of lemon for a fun twist. If you want to explore, check out variations like Silk Stocking Milk Tea or Yuenyeung, which mixes coffee and tea.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes things go wrong with your iced version. Here are common problems and fixes:

• Tea tastes weak? Brew longer or use a stronger tea blend.
• Too sweet or not sweet enough? Adjust the sugar or milk to your liking.
• Milk separates? Make sure the tea and milk are close in temperature before mixing. Add milk and tea slowly, alternating between them.
• Bitterness? Add eggshells during steeping to lower acidity and smooth out the flavor.

Note: Using evaporated or sweetened condensed milk instead of regular milk helps you get that creamy texture every time.

You can make hong kong style iced milk tea at home by brewing strong black tea, mixing in both evaporated and sweetened condensed milk, then serving it cold. Many home cooks say hong kong style drinks are tough to master, but you just need the right ingredients and a little practice. Try your own version and share your tips below!

FAQ

Can I use regular milk instead of evaporated or condensed milk?

You can use regular milk, but you won’t get the same creamy texture or rich flavor. Sweetened condensed or evaporated milk works best.

What tea blend gives the most authentic taste?

Try mixing Ceylon, English breakfast, and a little Earl Grey. This blend gives you the bold, smooth flavor found in Hong Kong cafes.

Tip: Steep your tea longer for a stronger taste.

How do I fix milk tea that tastes bitter?

Add more sweetened condensed milk or a pinch of sugar. You can also try steeping the tea for less time next round.