Ingredients

For the Thai tea base:

• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup Thai black tea leaves with spices, such as ChaTraMue or Pantai
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For 4 cocktails:

• 1 recipe Thai tea base
• 4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk or sweetened condensed coconut milk
• Ice
• 1 cup vodka
• 2 cups chilled sparkling water
• 4 sprigs fresh mint (optional)

1. Make the Thai tea base:
2. Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gently stir in 1/2 cup Thai black tea leaves and let steep for 5 minutes.
3. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth set over a heatproof bowl; discard the tea leaves. Stir 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt into the tea base until dissolved. Let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
4. Make the cocktails:
5. For each cocktail, pour a quarter of the Thai tea base (scant 1/2 cup) into a tall glass. Stir in 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk until dissolved. Fill the glass halfway with ice and stir to combine. Top with 1/4 cup vodka and then 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water for a layered look. Garnish with 1 fresh mint sprig if desired. Stir together before drinking.