Hong Kong Milk Tea

Name: Hong Kong Milk Tea
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 4 tsp Ceylon or Assam loose-leaf black tea; 6 tbsp evaporated milk; 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk; 2 cups ice cubes (for iced version)

A silky, full-bodied Hong Kong-style milk tea made by steeping a blend of black teas, then "pulling" the tea back and forth for a smooth, creamy texture before adding condensed milk.

15 minMediumServes 2160 cal/serving

ChineseNon-Alcoholic DrinkStovetopVegetarianLow CarbHalal-friendlyKosher-styleGluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 cups water
4 tsp Ceylon or Assam loose-leaf black tea
6 tbsp evaporated milk
2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
2 cups ice cubes (for iced version)

Instructions

1

Bring 2 cups water to a rolling boil in a saucepan over high heat.
2

Add 4 tsp Ceylon or Assam loose-leaf black tea, reduce heat to medium-low, and steep for 5 minutes. The tea should be very dark and strong.
3

Strain the tea into a heatproof pitcher using a fine-mesh sieve. To achieve the characteristic smooth texture, pour the tea back and forth between two pitchers or a pot two to three times from a height of about 12 inches - this is the "pulling" technique that aerates the tea.
4

Stir in 6 tbsp evaporated milk and 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk until fully combined. Taste and add more condensed milk if desired.
5

Serve hot as is, or pour over 2 cups ice cubes (for iced version) for Hong Kong-style iced milk tea.

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Questions

What can I use instead of sweetened condensed milk in Hong Kong Milk Tea?

The entry for Hong Kong Milk Tea calls for 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk. In its place: There is no quick swap. Simmer two cups of milk with two thirds of a cup of sugar until reduced by half, about 35 minutes.

Can I make Hong Kong Milk Tea dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Hong Kong Milk Tea is 6 tbsp evaporated milk, 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk. Swap the evaporated milk for a plant-based version of the same product; the sweetened condensed milk for a plant-based version of the same product. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Hong Kong Milk Tea vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 6 tbsp evaporated milk and 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan non-alcoholic drink collection.

How many carbs are in Hong Kong Milk Tea?

One serving (the recipe makes 2) has 20 g of carbohydrate in about 160 calories, with 4 g protein and 4 g fat, plus 50 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Can I batch Hong Kong Milk Tea for a group?

Yes. As written it serves 2. Halved, the water drops from 2 cups to 1 cup; doubled, it is 4 cups. Every line in this entry carries its half and double quantity, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. To make a pitcher, multiply everything and stir over ice at the end.

Serve it with

Egg Tart dessert
Congee breakfast
Steamed BBQ Pork Buns starter

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