Thai Iced TEa
no alcohol / gluten free / vegan
I had my first glass of Thai Iced Tea at Madam Mam's Restaurant in Austin, Texas.  It was love at first sip.  Sipping it during a highly spicy Thai meal is the best thing EVER.  Sipping it by itself on a very hot Texas day is heavenly.
Makes 2 tall glasses.
Ingredients
2 & 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
3 whole star anise pods
4 black tea bags or Earl Gray - I like Earl Gray for the dash of cardamon.
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
ice
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Steps
  1. Bring water, sugar, and star anise (whole pods) to a boil over medium heat. 
  2. Once boiling, remove from heat and add tea bags. 
  3. Let the tea sit for about an hour or so, until it's cool.  If you've in a hurry, you can refrigerate it after about 15 minutes of steeping, but you'll have the best flavor by letting it sit and steep for an hour or more.   
  4. Remove anise and tea bags after tea is cool.  Stir in condensed milk. 
  5. Put in refrigerator for at least an hour.  I like to move it to a glass pitcher, so it doesn't get a metallic taste.  
  6. To serve, fill 2 tall glasses with ice and pour tea over it.  Sprinkle with nutmeg.