This Thai Tea Ice Cream recipe is a delightful blend of bold flavors and creamy goodness! With its rich, authentic taste of Thai tea and smooth, creamy texture, this ice cream is perfect for a quick, refreshing dessert or a sweet indulgence on a hot day. It’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious!
Who doesn’t love a good Thai massage? The soothing kneads, the perfect stretches—it’s like they’re untangling all the knots in your body, one muscle at a time. But while some folks unwind with a massage, I find my ultimate relaxation in Thai food. Yep, after a long day, nothing beats the combo of spicy pad Thai, Pad Krapow Gai, Crying Tiger, and that all-important, ice-cold Thai iced tea. It’s like a massage for my taste buds!
But wait, why stop at a drink? If I could turn a massage into an ice cream, I totally would. Instead, I’m turning my beloved Thai iced tea into this insanely delicious ice cream, thanks to my trusty CREAMi machine. So, here’s my latest creation: Thai Tea Ice Cream. It’s like your favorite Thai iced tea got a creamy, dreamy upgrade. Trust me, once you’ve had it in ice cream form, you might just skip the drink altogether!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Combines the creamy richness of ice cream with the bold flavor of Thai iced tea.
- Perfectly smooth and easy to make with the Ninja CREAMi.
- Less sugar with monk fruit sweetener but still tastes indulgent.
- It’s a fun twist on a classic favorite.
- Quick to prep with just a few simple ingredients.
What is Thai Tea?
Thai tea is a strong, aromatic tea made from black tea leaves, spiced with star anise and cardamom. It’s brewed with sugar and typically served over ice with a splash of sweetened condensed milk.
Its distinct orange color and sweet, creamy flavor have made it a favorite in Thai restaurants. The combination of spices, tea, and milk creates an unforgettable experience for your taste buds!
What is Thai Tea Mix Made Of?
Thai tea mix is typically made from strong black tea leaves, flavored with star anise, crushed tamarind, and sometimes orange blossom water, giving it that unique and aromatic flavor. The vibrant orange color comes from added food coloring. It’s the perfect base for the creamy, sweet iced Thai tea we all love!
Ingredients
Here's what's needed:
- Half and half: This gives the ice cream a balanced creaminess. You can use heavy cream if you prefer a richer texture.
- Strongly brewed Thai tea: Make sure it’s cooled before using. This brings the iconic flavor to your ice cream.
- Cottage cheese: Believe it or not, this adds protein and creaminess to the base without the fat from heavy cream.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and richness. You can swap this for a low-sugar or sugar-free alternative if needed.
- Monk fruit sweetener (or other sugar substitute): A low-calorie alternative to sugar that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Thai Tea Ice Cream Using Ninja Creami?
- Brew the Thai tea: Start by brewing a strong batch of Thai tea using 2-3 tea bags (or 1-2 tablespoons of loose tea) in about 2 cups of boiling water. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes until it’s rich and dark. Strain the tea leaves using a very fine mesh or cloth filter.
- Prepare the ice cream base: In a blender or using an immersion blender, combine half and half, brewed Thai tea (cooled), cottage cheese, condensed milk, and monk fruit sweetener. Blend until smooth.
- Chill: Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Make the ice cream: Once frozen, use the "Ice Cream" setting on the Ninja CREAMi. If the texture isn’t smooth enough, you can run the 5re-spin cycle for creamier results.
- Serve and enjoy: Scoop out your delicious Thai Tea Ice Cream and serve with your favorite toppings!
Topping and Mix-in Suggestions
- Sweetened condensed milk drizzle: Classic Thai tea touch with extra sweetness.
- Crushed Biscoff cookies: Adds a spiced crunch that complements the tea’s flavors.
- Toasted coconut flakes: For a tropical vibe and added texture.
- Tapioca pearls: Bring that bubble tea experience into your ice cream!
- Chocolate chips: A decadent twist for chocolate lovers.
Equipment
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: The star of the show for churning this creamy dessert to perfection.
- Vitamix blender or immersion blender: To create a smooth and creamy ice cream base.
Top tip
For a stronger Thai tea flavor, steep the tea bags a little longer and use less water to intensify the taste. Make sure to taste the base before freezing to adjust sweetness or tea strength if needed.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use heavy cream for a richer texture, or coconut milk for a dairy-free version, but it may alter the flavor slightly.
Yes, Thai tea is made from black tea, which contains caffeine. You can use decaf black tea if you want a caffeine-free option.
Definitely! You can adjust the amount of condensed milk or monk fruit sweetener to suit your taste.
Greek yogurt or cream cheese can be used as substitutes, but the cottage cheese adds a nice balance of creaminess and protein.
You can use any other sugar substitute or regular sugar if preferred. The sweetness can be easily adjusted to your liking.
More Ninja Creami Recipes
- Ninja Creami Mango Ice Cream Recipe
- Ninja Creami Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Azuki Red Bean Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
Let's Have More Ice Cream!
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Ninja Creami Thai Tea Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker
- 1 Ninja Creami Container Pint
- 1 Blender/ Immersion Blender
- 1 small pot for brewing thai tea mix
- 1 Reusable Stainless Steel Strainer
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Thai Tea mix brewed in 2 cups of water
- 2 cups water for brewing that tea mix
- 1 cup Half and half
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup condensed milk
- 2 tablespoon monk fruit
Instructions
- Brew the Thai tea: Start by brewing a strong batch of Thai tea in about 2 cups of boiling water. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes until it’s rich and dark. Strain and cool down.
- Prepare the ice cream base: In a blender or using an immersion blender, combine half and half, brewed Thai tea (cooled), cottage cheese, condensed milk, and monk fruit sweetener. Blend until smooth.
- Chill: Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Make the ice cream: Once frozen, use the "Ice Cream" setting on the Ninja CREAMi. If the texture isn’t smooth enough, you can run the re-spin cycle for creamier results.
- Serve and enjoy: Scoop out your delicious Thai Tea Ice Cream and serve with your favorite toppings!
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