Food and Drink

5 cups water 6 bags black tea or red Thai tea, or 1 1/2 tablespoons loose tea - you want to use a good quality tea for the best flavor.   Try Ceylon, Assam or Keemun. 2 star anise -  you can add more or less to taste.  These are very strong if you buy them fresh. So go slow. 3 whole cloves - same with the cloves.  I am not a huge fan of cloves, so I usually go light here. 2 teaspoons vanilla - Have a vanilla bean pod you want to use? Scrape it down and use it here. 2 tablespoons sugar - This drink is very sweet even without the sugar. So I suggest adding this to taste later. 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk - Go vegan by replacing the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk with cream of coconut and coconut milk.