Thai Iced Coffee Legend has it that what gives Thai coffee its distinctive nutty flavor is tamarind roasted with the coffee. I’m not sure how true that is, but I love Thai coffee because it’s strong without being too bitter. Some street vendors substitute evaporated or condensed milk for the half-and-half. I personally like using the half-and-half; it’s a cleaner flavor. You can also use this recipe for an ice cream base.