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Ingredients
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Tea Base
Coconut Milk Mixture
Garnish (optional)
Method
Tea Base
Heat water
Bring 300 ml of water to just under a boil (about 80–85°C / 175–185°F). White tea is delicate and benefits from water that isn't fully boiling.
Steep tea
Place 2 white tea bags in a heatproof container. Pour the hot water over the tea bags, cover, and steep for 3–5 minutes depending on desired strength (3 minutes for lighter, 5 for fuller flavor).
Cool quickly
Remove the tea bags and gently press them against the side to extract liquid (do not squeeze aggressively). Let the tea come to room temperature for 10 minutes, then place in the refrigerator or an ice bath to chill for 10 more minutes until cold.
Prepare glass
Fill a 16 oz (about 470 ml) serving glass with ~200 g of ice cubes to chill and create proper dilution when pouring.
Coconut Milk Mixture
Make/measure sweetener
If you don't have premade simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water, heat until sugar dissolves, then cool. Measure 30 ml (about 2 tablespoons) for this recipe.
Blend coconut mixture
In a small pitcher or jar, combine 120 ml full-fat canned coconut milk, 60 ml unsweetened coconut milk (or dairy milk), 30 ml simple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of fine sea salt. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and slightly frothy. Tasting: adjust sweetness to preference (add up to 10–15 ml more syrup if you prefer sweeter).
Optional frothing
For a creamier top, briefly froth 30–50 ml of the coconut mixture using a handheld frother or by shaking it vigorously in a sealed jar for 20–30 seconds. Reserve the froth for the top of the drink.
Assembly & Garnish
Combine tea and coconut milk
Pour the chilled white tea into the prepared ice-filled glass, leaving about 40–60 ml headroom for the coconut mixture (pour slowly to avoid overflow).
Add coconut mixture
Gently pour the coconut milk mixture over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass so it layers lightly on top of the tea. This creates a visual contrast and allows for gradual mixing.
Top with froth and garnish
Spoon the reserved froth (if used) on top. Sprinkle 1 tsp toasted shredded coconut over the froth and finish with a thin lime wheel or a mint sprig for aroma.
Serve
Serve immediately with a straw so the drinker can mix to taste. Stir before drinking to combine the delicate white tea with the rich coconut layer.