Thai Lemon Iced Tea, also known as Cha Manao, is one of the most popular drinks in Thailand and one of my favorites, especially on a hot day, which is almost every day of the year in Thailand 😂.
Cha Manao is a drink that's both sour and sweet, created with a blend of black tea leaves or Thai tea mix, a perfect drink for a hot sweaty day. Setting itself apart as a unique rendition of Thai Iced tea, it distinguishes itself by incorporating freshly squeezed lime juice instead of the sweet and milky texture of Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen).
Thai Lemon Iced Tea is traditionally crafted using limes, despite the name "lemon" arising from a historical mistranslation. For the most authentic flavor, we recommend using limes. Nevertheless, if only yellow lemons are available at your disposal, feel free to use them, as they also make a great-tasting iced tea as well.
Beyond its delightful blend of sweet and sour, Cha Manao is an excellent choice to pair with your spicy dishes. The unique taste not only complements the spiciness but also tones down the heat allowing you to enjoy more. Consider it the secret sauce that allows Thai people to enjoy spicy food so regularly 😉.
You will find Cha Manao in most street food stalls and vendors around Thailand, which goes to show just how popular the drink is.
In this recipe, we are going to use one of the most popular Thai tea brands that you can often find in Asian markets called 'Cha Tra Mue.' It is one of the original Thai tea brands founded way back in 1945, and you will find that most drink stalls in Thailand use this brand.
Cha Tra Mue's Thai tea is crafted from Thai tea leaves harvested at peak times and hand-selected to produce the signature flavor profile that has been cherished by many Thai people for decades, which is why I highly recommend you use it for this recipe. If you can not find this Thai tea brand, you can use any black tea available in your supermarkets.
Now that we've covered that, let's dive into the process of making some authentic Thai Iced Tea!
For more dessert recipes, you might want to check out these recipes: Authentic Thai Iced Tea (Cha-Yen), Thai Butter Sweet Corn And Coconut Flesh Recipe, Nutella Chewy Brownies Recipe, Chocolate Toast With Milo Lava Sauce Recipe, and Good Morning Sunshine French Toast Recipe
To make this recipe, you are going to need:
- 1 tablespoon Thai tea mixed “Cha Tra Mue” brand
- 3 tablespoons squeezed fresh lime
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 200 ml. hot water
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Authentic Thai Lemon Iced Tea (Cha Manao)
1 Begin by gathering all the essential ingredients.
2 Use a tea filter to brew the tea by placing the Thai tea mix into the filter and pouring hot water over it. Let it steep for a few minutes. If you find yourself without a tea bag filter, steep the tea directly in hot water for 3-5 minutes, then strain it through a fine mesh strainer.
3 After steeping, add sugar and mix thoroughly.
4 Add squeezed lime juice. If you prefer a sour taste, feel free to add more squeezed lime juice until it reaches your desired flavor. Stir and combine the ingredients thoroughly; you'll notice the color changing a bit lighter.
5 Fill the glass with ice, then pour the Thai lemon tea into the glass. Enjoy!
Other Thai Recipes You Might Like
Here are some of my favorite Thai that I think you might like. For more Thai cuisine, check out my Thai recipe page.
Authentic Thai Lemon Iced Tea (Cha Manao)
Craving the refreshing taste of Authentic Thai Lemon Iced Tea (Cha Manao) that you tried in Thailand and want to recreate it at home? Check out our easy 5-step recipe on how to make an authentic Thai Lemon Iced Tea!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Thai tea mixed “Cha Tra Mue” brand
- 3 tablespoons squeezed fresh lime
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 200 ml. hot water
Directions
- Begin by gathering all the essential ingredients.
- Use a tea filter to brew the tea by placing the Thai tea mix into the filter and pouring hot water over it. Let it steep for a few minutes. If you find yourself without a tea bag filter, steep the tea directly in hot water for 3-5 minutes, then strain it through a fine mesh strainer.
- After steeping, add sugar and mix thoroughly.
- Add squeezed lime juice. If you prefer a sour taste, feel free to add more squeezed lime juice until it reaches your desired flavor. Stir and combine the ingredients thoroughly; you’ll notice the color changing a bit lighter.
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour the Thai lemon tea into the glass. Enjoy!
