Cha Ma Nao (Thai Lime Iced Tea)

Learn how to make Cha Ma Nao, Thai lime iced tea, at home with this authentic recipe! It’s the perfect Thai drink for summer!

 When I lived in Thailand, nothing beat the rush of stepping off a tuk tuk in the steamy air of Bangkok and heading straight for a street stall selling Cha Ma Nao, aka Thai Lime Tea, the zingy, dairy-free cousin of Thai Milk Tea.

It’s just the kind of drink you crave on a hot day that makes you say, “Ahhh, so good!” after your first cold, refreshing sip—and now, you can make it at home with this authentic Thai recipe!

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What is Cha Ma Nao?

Cha Ma Nao (ชามะนาว) literally means “lime tea” in Thai. Unlike Thai Milk Tea, or Thai Tea Green Tea, Cha Ma Nao has no milk in it. It’s the same black Thai Tea Mix used in Thai Milk Tea, steeped strong, sweetened with sugar, but with fresh lime juice.

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Why You’ll Love This Cha Ma Nao Recipe

• It’s a one-pan (or rather, one-glass) wonder, ready in minutes
• Naturally dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free
• Tastes just like the ones served at Thai beach cafes or street vendors

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Key Ingredients for Cha Ma Nao

You don’t need much to make Cha Ma Nao, but every ingredient matters. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 8 cups of water, divided: Steep it in the 4 cups to make it concentrated and then add water to balance out the flavors.
• 1 cup Thai tea mix: You can also use strong black tea like Ceylon or Assam.
• 2/3 cup sugar: Classic granulated sugar is the traditional sweetener.
• 1/2 cup lime juice, from 4-5 limes: Freshly squeezed is the best, and wait to add it until your tea has cooled off some so it tastes fresher.
• Ice: Best served icy cold.

Optional but authentic: A pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and acidity—just like they do in Thai street stalls.

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Instructions for How to Make Cha Ma Nao

This recipe makes enough for 8 glasses for your summer hangout, but I’ve also given instructions in my tips section below for how to do it for just one glass if it’s just for you.

Boil 4 cups of water in a small pot.

Once the water has boiled, turn off the heat and remove the pot from the heat.

Add in the 1 cup Thai tea mix either in a tea sock, or just put it straight into the pot like I do. Or you can add the boiling water to a French press, and add in the leaves like you would coffee grounds.

Let it steep for 4-5 minutes.

Once the tea has steeped, take out the tea sock, or use a fine mesh strainer or paper filter to strain the tea into a pitcher.

Add in the 2/3 cup-3/4 cup sugar to taste, to the hot tea, and stir vigorously to help it dissolve. 

Taste it, and if you want to add more sugar it’s best to do it at this stage, while the water is hot so it can dissolve. It should taste a little sweeter than you want since you are going to add in the water and the lime juice which will balance the flavors.

We usually do 2/3 cup since we don’t like it too sweet, but in Thailand they serve it sweeter, so do what you prefer.

Then add the next 4 cups of cold water and 2/3 cup lime juice, to taste, and stir.

Pour over a cup full of ice and enjoy!

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Additions & Substitutions

• Tea tea mix substitute: Any bold black tea like Assam, or Ceylon.
• White sugar substitute: Coconut sugar, agave, or simple syrup—just adjust to taste.
• Lime substitute: Lemon works, though the flavor won’t be quite the same.
• Garnish: Add fresh mint, a lime wheel, or a splash of soda water for fizz.

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Cha Ma Nao Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Want to make just 1 glass? Use 2 tablespoons of Thai tea mix, 1 cup hot water, 3 teaspoons sugar (or to taste), and the juice of 1/2 lime or more to taste. Steep, strain, stir, pour over ice, and enjoy!
• Steep strong: Thai iced tea is meant to be bold. Let that tea steep for at least 4–5 minutes.
• Don’t add the lime juice to the hot water: let it cool off some before adding the lime juice since lime juice tastes fresher when it’s not exposed to heat.
• Balance the flavors: If it’s too tart, add more sugar. Too sweet? A touch more lime juice brings it back in balance. Finding that perfect sweet-sour combo is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Eat with Thai Lime Tea (Cha Ma Nao)

Cha Ma Nao is perfect for balancing out spicy Thai dishes or sipping on a hot day at a summer cookout! Here’s what we like to pair it with:

• Chicken Tom Yum Soup: This spicy, sour, and aromatic soup is a Thai classic. The citrusy zing of Cha Ma Nao complements its bold flavors beautifully.
• Beef Pad See Ew: Savory stir-fried noodles with tender beef and a sweet soy sauce glaze—perfectly balanced by the refreshing tartness of Thai lime tea.
• How to Make Chicken Larb: This zesty Thai salad features ground chicken, lime juice, and herbs. Cha Ma Nao lights up its bright, fresh flavors.
• Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice: A delightful mix of sweet pineapple, savory chicken, and fragrant rice. Pairing it with Cha Ma Nao adds to the tropical feel!
• Pad Thai: Sweet, tangy, and nutty rice noodles tossed with shrimp, tofu, or chicken. Plus, since both Cha Ma Nao and Pad Thai are naturally gluten-free, they make the perfect pair for anyone avoiding gluten. Want to know more? Here’s my full guide on whether Pad Thai is gluten free.

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Behind the Recipe

I grew up in the South where everyone drinks sweet tea. I never liked it at restaurants though, and loved my grandma’s, mom’s, and aunt’s sweet tea versions best.

I’ll never forget going to to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins in Alabama and looking forward to getting a tall glass of her iced sweet tea that she put a frozen lemonade mix in.

It was so tart, sweet and refreshing—the perfect elixir for after those Alabama humid, hot days of playing water wars in the backyard with my cousins.

Then when I went to Thailand I had Cha Ma Nao, or Thai Iced Tea with Lime, and it brought me back to those Alabama summer days of sipping iced sweet lemon tea at my aunt’s.

Maybe it’s because in Thailand they call Cha Ma Nao in English, Thai Lemon Tea.

After a trip back to Thailand and getting to drink Thai Iced Tea with Lime whenever I wanted, I wanted the same at home.

So years ago, I finally tried making it at home, and it was easier than I thought! It took me awhile to get the right mix of lime and sugar, but I think I got it, at least the way we like it.

Everyone likes their tea different, so I recommend starting with less lime and sugar, and adding it to your liking. Once you find your favorite combo, you wont want to stop drinking it!

But beware, it does have quite a bit of caffeine, which is why it’s my morning drink lately. Hope it refreshes and wakes you up as much as it does us!

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