Description
Chai-Spiced Tea is a cozy, aromatic beverage blending black tea with warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger. This comforting Indian-inspired drink is perfect for chilly days and can be easily customized with your choice of milk and sweetener. Enjoy it hot for a soothing experience or chilled over ice for a refreshing twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices and Tea
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 black peppercorns
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 slice fresh ginger (about 1 inch)
- 2 black tea bags or 2 teaspoons loose leaf black tea
Liquids
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup whole milk or any milk of choice
Sweetener
- 1–2 tablespoons honey or sugar (to taste)
Optional Garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Infuse spices: In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of water with the cinnamon stick, cloves, black peppercorns, cardamom pods, and fresh ginger slice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the spices to infuse fully.
- Add milk and tea: Add 1 cup of whole milk and the black tea bags (or loose leaf tea) into the saucepan. Simmer gently for another 3 to 5 minutes, ensuring the mixture does not boil, until the tea becomes rich and fragrant.
- Sweeten the chai: Remove from heat and stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar according to your taste preference.
- Strain and serve: Strain the chai into mugs to remove the spices and tea leaves. Optionally, sprinkle with a pinch of ground cinnamon on top for extra flavor. Serve warm and enjoy your cozy chai-spiced tea.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the blend of spices to your liking — adding star anise or nutmeg can impart additional warmth and depth.
- Make this chai dairy-free by substituting whole milk with oat, almond, or any plant-based milk.
- For a refreshing iced chai, allow the brewed tea to cool completely and serve over ice cubes.
