Description
This Spicy Chai is a rich, creamy, and aromatic homemade tea made with black tea, fresh ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and other warming spices. Simmered with milk and lightly sweetened, it’s a comforting drink that’s perfect for chilly mornings, cozy afternoons, or relaxing evenings. Skip the coffee shop and enjoy an authentic chai latte made right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups whole milk (or oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk)
- 2 black tea bags (Assam or English Breakfast)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 6 whole cloves
- 8 whole black peppercorns
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 star anise (optional)
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, or granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
Optional Garnishes
- Ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon stick
- Star anise
- Freshly grated nutmeg
- Frothed milk
- Honey drizzle
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, black peppercorns, ginger, star anise, and fennel seeds.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to infuse the water with the spices.
- Add the black tea bags and steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preferred strength.
- Remove the tea bags.
- Stir in the milk and your preferred sweetener.
- Heat gently over medium-low heat until steaming, but do not allow the chai to boil.
- Remove from the heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve into mugs or a teapot.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, ground cinnamon, or frothed milk if desired.
- Serve immediately while hot, or chill completely and pour over ice for an iced chai latte.
Notes
- Assam tea creates the richest, most authentic chai flavor.
- Whole spices provide the freshest aroma and deepest flavor.
- Lightly crush the cardamom pods before simmering to release more flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness and spice level to suit your taste.
- Oat milk makes one of the creamiest dairy-free versions.
- Store leftover chai in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Enjoy hot or over ice for a refreshing homemade iced chai.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 125 per serving