9 Refreshing Thai Drinks for Hot Summer Days

Persistent heat and humidity throughout the year make preserving your hydration a top priority during your trip to Thailand. This country is renowned for being home to some of the most delicious drinks in the world, many of which are probably unknown to you but are definitely worth checking out! 

Below, we've put together a list of Thai drinks that are delicious, refreshing, and sometimes even surprising to enjoy around every corner.

Written by Tieu Bao (Local Expert) Updated on 06-11-2024

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1. Thai Milk Tea (Cha Yen)

Thai milk tea is made by strongly brewing black tea, often spiked with spices such as star anise, crushed tamarind, cardamom, and even other ingredients. This infusion is then sweetened with sugar and sweetened condensed milk, then served over ice.

Not only is Thai milk tea delicious because of its full-bodied but not bitter tea taste, aromatic nuances reminiscent of warm honey and vanilla, creamy texture and sweetness, almost similar to that of a milkshake, but it is also incredibly refreshing when enjoyed as an accompaniment to spicy Thai dishes, sour and sweet.

In fact, you can easily savor Cha Yen at many restaurants or even from street vendors. The price of Cha Yen is usually very affordable, although it can vary depending on where you buy it. If you opt for a street vendor, it will cost you less than $1, but the price can be slightly higher in high-end restaurants.

2. Juices & Shakes

A major asset of Thailand is its diversity of tropical fruits that grow throughout the year. So it's hardly surprising to find delicious juices on every street corner in the kingdom. We highly recommend trying pomegranate juice, a natural drink that instantly cools down on summer days, providing an incredibly cool and refreshing sensation to whoever tastes it.

Shakes are fresh juices blended with crushed ice. Banana, mango, and watermelon shakes are especially popular in Thailand, but you can also explore other varieties available on the menus of restaurants and beach clubs across the country. It's worth noting that Thais have a habit of adding salt to their shakes, which may seem strange to Western palates. Therefore, when ordering, don't forget to specify "salt-free" if desired.

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3. Pink Milk (Thai Nom Yen)

Pink milk, also known by the Thai name Nom Yen, is a famous pink-colored drink that can be found on the streets of Thailand. It has become extremely popular with children and teenagers in Thailand, resembling a classic strawberry milkshake, although the ingredients differ greatly.

Pink milk is made simply with milk, condensed milk, and sala syrup, the key ingredient in this drink. Sala syrup is made from the Salak fruit, also known as snake fruit, and it is this that gives the drink its characteristic pink color and unique floral sweetness.

Locals often enjoy Nom Yen with a set of steamed buns dipped in Kaya, also known as coconut jam. This drink is commonly sold throughout the country, and Nom Yen prices are usually less than $1, although they can range from $1 to $2 in cafes and some bakeries. It is the perfect drink for those who do not wish to consume caffeinated beverages.

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4. Oliang, Traditional Thai Iced Coffee

Being a combination of the words "O" (black) and "Liang" (cold), Oliang is the original name of traditional Thai iced coffee. The taste of Oliang is similar to that of Americano, although slightly different. This delicious drink is a distinct blend of coffee and several other ingredients. While recipes may vary, the most common additives include corn, soybeans, cardamom, sesame seeds, and rice. The blend is usually available in powder form, similar to conventional ground coffee.

In general, Thais prefer to enjoy Oliang cold rather than hot. To make Oliang coffee, the vendor mixes hot black coffee, sugar, and ice. You can add milk to coffee to turn it into Kafae Boran, which means ancient coffee. Thais often like to accompany Kafae Boran with rice porridge and Patongo (a kind of Thai bagel twist). Oliang and Kafae Boran are readily available in small shops or on food carts, for around $1. However, if you buy them at a café near your hotel or tourist attractions, it can cost around $2 per coffee.

5. Dirty coffee in Thailand

"Dirty coffee" is an emerging trend among young people, and it consists of a layer of cold milk (sometimes a mixture of milk and cream) over which a black espresso or ristretto is poured. This drink pairs a hot, full-bodied espresso with extremely cold milk. The hot espresso slowly sits on top of the pure white milk, creating a messy visual look, hence the name "dirty."

It is usually served in a clear glass, allowing coffee lovers to appreciate the artistry before enjoying this sweet and creamy wonder. Another unique feature of "dirty coffee" is the combination of hot and cold temperatures you experience in a single sip. "Dirty coffee" is often available in Bangkok cafes.

6. Nam Dok Anchan (Lime Butterfly Pea Flower Tea)

On days when you've consumed too much coffee, opt for this light and refreshing drink instead. The butterfly pea is a herbaceous flower famous for its blue hue, which turns purple when you add lime juice to it, it's just magical!

This flower also offers many medicinal benefits, helping the body de-stress and eliminate toxins. While the flowers have light and aromatic flavors, the addition of lime as well as a small amount of syrup and salt help to give harmony to this drink. It's the perfect choice for a hot afternoon in Bangkok.

7. Thai Beer

It would be a real shame to visit Thailand without tasting a local beer. Two of the most popular beer brands in Thailand are Singha and Chang. Chang is also a robust, slightly fizzy beer, while Singha stands out for its luxurious richness and creaminess. For many beer lovers, Singha is indisputably the best option, thanks to its 100% malted barley composition, which gives it a rich body and pronounced flavor.

Despite its alcoholic nature, beer is a very popular drink in Thailand, particularly suitable for the country's climate due to its refreshing taste and affordability. Enjoying a local beer while enjoying the lively vibe of Thailand is undeniably a must-do experience. The country's nightlife offers an array of activities to suit all tastes, from wild parties in sky bars and clubs, to discovering Thai culture and street food in night markets! Read more about: Thai Beers: Discover Thailand in a Different Way 

8. Thai Alcoholic Beverages

There are some very special spirits in Thailand made from local grains, such as Mekhong, colloquially known as the "spirit of Thailand". Named after the Mekong River, Mekhong is a distilled spirit made of 95% sugar cane and 5% rice. It is the first branded golden spirit produced locally in Thailand. It features mild flavors with distinct notes of chili, vanilla, herbs, and spices.

Sang Som is a distilled liqueur made from sugar cane or molasses, renowned for its unique and aromatic tastes of coffee, coconut, and soft sugar. No one knows exactly what category of liquor it represents, with some calling it rum, while others insist it's a whiskey.

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To immerse yourself in Thai youth culture, you can try whiskey shakes, a mixture of alcohol, crushed ice and fruit syrup. This drink is usually sold by the pitcher and enjoyed in groups in small glasses.

It is important to note that the sale of alcoholic beverages is regulated in Thailand. It is prohibited in supermarkets and grocery stores before 11 a.m., from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and after midnight. Moreover, it is prohibited everywhere, whether in shops or bars, on Buddhist holidays and election days (as well as on the eve of elections).

9. Thai Energy Drink

Did you know that energy drinks in Thailand are one of the largest beverage markets in the world? Be sure to check out Krating Daeng, also known as Thai Red Bull. The name literally translates to "red bull" and is said to have inspired the famous taurine-based drink. M-150 is also one of the leaders in this growing market, with one of the highest caffeine contents of any energy drink.

You can find Thai energy drinks in convenience stores or supermarkets such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Tesco, and Big C, as well as in cafes, and sometimes even sold as an accompaniment to deep-fried, crispy street food.

Our last words,

The weather in Thailand can be as hot as its delicious food. Whatever your craving, the wide range of Thai drinks is sure to quench your thirst. From rich, creamy drinks to refreshing, fruity options, you'll discover delicacies around every corner. So, grab a drink – you might just find a new flavor to enjoy!

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