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International Coffee Specialties

# Thai Iced Coffee: What Is Oliang and How Is It Made?

 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/)

Category: [International Coffee Specialties](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/international-coffee-specialties/)Tags: [Coffee Culture](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/tags/coffee-culture/) [Coffee Origins & Countries](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/tags/countries/) [Iced Coffee](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/tags/iced-coffee/)

## Quick answer

Oliang is a Thai iced coffee whose coffee mixture can vary. Check the packaging and intended additions. Start with the basic **recipe** and adjust **sweetness** after **tasting** it with **ice**.

## Key takeaways

- Oliang is a Thai iced coffee whose coffee mixture can vary.

- Prepare the coffee according to the blend or brewer instructions, then taste it before adding ice.

- Add sugar or syrup while the coffee is warm enough to dissolve it, then cool the drink and pour it over ice.

 

![Two glasses of iced coffee with milk and ice cubes.](https://www.coffeejay.com/assets/editorial/iced-milk-coffee-in-glasses.avif)

Two glasses of iced coffee with milk and ice cubes.

## Brew a concentrated base

 

Prepare the coffee according to the blend or **brewer** **instructions**, then taste it before adding ice. A concentrated base helps the flavor remain present as **the ice** melts. If you use plain coffee rather than a traditional blend, expect a different flavor and describe it accordingly.

 

## Sweeten and chill

 

Add **sugar** or syrup while the coffee is warm enough to dissolve it, then **cool** the drink and pour it over **ice**. Add milk if you want a creamier version, or keep it black for a more direct coffee flavor. Start with a little sweetener and adjust after **tasting**.

 

## Keep the drink balanced

 

Ice dilutes the cup as it melts, so avoid filling the glass with a weak brew. Coffee **ice cubes** can slow that change; see our guide to [making coffee **ice cubes**](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/cold-other-methods/coffee-ice-cubes/). For another cold coffee method, **compare** [**cold brew** and iced coffee](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/cold-other-methods/cold-brew-vs-iced-coffee/).

 

## Check what the blend contains

 

Some oliang blends include **ingredients** beyond coffee, and ready-to-mix products can contain **sugar** or **creamer**. Read the package before preparing it so you know whether to add sweetener or milk. If you are using plain brewed coffee, treat it as a starting point for a Thai-style iced drink rather than assuming it will taste identical to a packaged blend.

 

### Serve over ice without rushing

 

Use a sturdy glass with **room** for **ice** and stirring. If making multiple **servings**, brew the base first and let each person choose how much milk or **sweetness** to add.

 

## Compare a packaged mix with brewed coffee

 

If you are unsure what a product contains, read the ingredients and prepare it exactly as directed for the first **serving**. Then **compare** it with plain coffee sweetened and chilled at home. The drinks may share a general style, but a packaged blend can include ingredients that change **body**, **aroma**, and sweetness.

 

Keep notes on whether you used plain **beans** or a premix, how much sweetener you added, and what kind of milk you used. This makes it easier to repeat **a cup** you enjoy and avoid adding ingredients that the package already includes. Keep **the glass** size consistent when comparing batches. Taste each version before adding garnish.

## Further reading

For background on [**espresso**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso) and [**milk**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk), see Wikipedia.

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Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/). [Read our editorial approach](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/editorial-policy/).

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