Thai Iced Tea

While I was shopping today in "Little Indonesia" (Bayard St. and Mott St.), I found a 1-pound bag of "Thai Tea Leaves." I had been half-heartedly looking for Thai red tea leaves for some time, so that I could make Thai iced tea--one of my very favorite beverages EVER--at home. When I got home at opened up the bag, I was immediately transported back to my childhood when my father (who was in the Air Force) brought me home a doll from Thailand that was stuffed with red tea leaves. Now I wonder if I like Thai tea because it smells like that doll, or if I liked my doll so much because it smelled so delicious. That led to this circular conversation with my girlfriend (who is profoundly silly at times):

A: Ask me why you like Thai iced tea.
M: Why do I like Thai iced tea so much?
A: Because reminds you of your favorite childhood doll.
M: Oh.
A: Ask me why you liked your doll so much.
M: OK. Why did I like my doll so much?
A: Because it smells like delicious Thai tea.
M: Oh.
A: Ask me why you like Thai iced tea so much...

And so on and so forth. The gentleman at the store (who sometimes gives me tamarind candies for free) said: "At the restaurant they charge $2.95 for just one cup of this. You buy my bag of tea for $5 and you get 30 cups!" Indeed!

2/3 C. Thai red tea leaves
2 C. Water
1/2 C. Sugar (I use less, but it's supposed to be a really sweet drink)
Sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk or rice milk (I use SCM)

Boil your water, then brew your tea nice and strong. Strain the tea leaves, add your sugar, and let the tea chill in the fridge. When cold serve it over iced with your milk product of choice layered on top.