Making milk tea is easy, and there are several different ways to prepare your brew. We’ll take you through three of the most popular methods below…
1. Tea latte
Tea lattes are made with steamed milk, just like a cafe latte. Use black tea for a classic flavor, or explore different tastes by using Lipton Spiced Cinnamon chai, or Earl Grey teabags for a more delicate drink.
How to make it:
1. Add the teabag of your choice to a cup.
2. Boil water, then pour over the teabag.
3. Let the tea steep for at least 5 minutes to get the strongest flavor possible.
4. While your tea is brewing, heat a half cup of milk either by microwaving for 45 seconds (settings vary between machines) or by heating in a pan until it’s steaming.
5. Transfer the hot milk to a jug, and use a milk frother to get that extra-fluffy, foam effect. The desired amount should be about ½ inch thick on top of the milk.
6. Remove the infuser or teabag from your cup and pour in the milk.
7. Add an optional dash of honey or sugar for extra sweetness.
2. Milk tea the British way
Want to know how to make milk tea the traditional British way? The method below is how tea is predominantly drunk in the UK and Ireland, and it’s even simpler than making a tea latte. All you need is a kettle, a mug and 5 minutes to spare…
How to make it:
1. Add a Lipton Black teabag to your favorite cup.
2. Boil water and pour over the teabag.
3. Wait 3-5 minutes for tea to brew, without stirring or squeezing the teabag.
4. Remove the teabag and pour in a dash of milk. Note: milk should act as a flavor-enhancer, so you only need enough to add creaminess. Too much milk will mask the taste of the tea. Judge it by the change of color in the blend as you pour, and aim for an even tan shade – a very pale brown means you’ve probably poured in too much.
5. Stir with a spoon to blend evenly.
For both methods above, you can use soy or almond milk instead of cows’ milk, if this is part of your diet.
3. Sweet iced milk tea
If you thought iced tea began and ended with sliced lemons and ice cubes, then try a glass of sweet iced milk tea out for size. With its indulgent dairy creaminess, it can be the perfect treat on a hot day.
How to make it:
1. Follow instructions 1-3 from the British method above, except use two teabags instead of one to intensify the tea flavor.
2. Add a dash of condensed milk to taste. Note, condensed milk is very rich, so use sparingly according to your diet.
3. Fill a glass ½ to ¾ full with ice cubes or crushed ice.
4. Pour your tea over the ice to fill the glass, and enjoy immediately.
One final idea? Add a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon at the end of any of the recipes above to give your drink a spicy kick.