Thai Tea Recipe From Scratch

• 1 gallon water
• 8 Chinese star anise, ground
• 1 tablespoon orange flowers
• 1 tablespoon powdered vanilla
• 1 pinch of clove powder
• 1 pinch chopped cinnamon
• 3/4 quart long cut China black tea leaves
• 1 to 2 cups sugar
• 1 quart half & half
• Red food coloring
• Crushed ice

Boil water. Add star anise, orange flowers, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and tea leaves to boiling water. Continue boiling for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Cover and allow to steep until luke warm. Strain, and add sugar to taste. Serve in a clear glass over plenty of crushed ice. Top with half & half.

Traditional Variation: Substitute coconut milk for half & half. Decaffeinated Variation: Substitute decaffeinated tea leaves. Low-fat Variation: Substitute evaporated milk or rice milk for half & half. Natural Variation: Substitute unrefined cane sugar for refined sugar and beet powder for food coloring.