How to Make Chai Tea - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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4.90 stars (37 reviews)

9 minutes mins

Posted by Sommer Collier on Oct 11, 2023 (last updated Feb 9, 2024)

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Learn how to make the best chai tea recipe! This homemade Chai Latte Recipe is rich and simple, based on the authentic chai you find in India, with tons of spice and a creamy and sweet touch!

How to Make Chai Tea - A Spicy Perspective (1)

Why We Love This Authentic Indian Chai Recipe

What we in America think of as chai tea, or a chai tea latte, is a far cry from what is traditionally served in the rest of the world. An authentic Easy Chai Tea recipe is made with thick buffalo milk, considerably too much sugar, black tea, and cardamom pods.

Served in scant shot glasses from dawn until way past dusk, this beverage is EVERYWHERE you look in India. It’s in little make-shift cafes, sold from chai-wallahs at every bus station, train station, and street corner, brewing in nearly every home.

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It’s been many years since I last visited India. Yet I’ll never forget sitting in open-air chai shops drinking creamy, ultra-sweet chai with friends.

This homemade chai tea recipe is easy to make and tastes just like the chai you can get in India. You might not have these ingredients on hand normally, but they are worth getting for whenever you are craving a cup of hot chai! This make-ahead chai is great to keep on hand, too. You don’t have to buy the boxed stuff anymore!

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Ingredients For Chai Tea Latte

  • Water – The base of the recipe. Use plenty of water, then let it simmer down into strong condensed tea.
  • Star anise – For bold licorice flavor that packs a punch.
  • Cinnamon – Use whole sticks, so they can be easily removed.
  • Green Cardamom podsGreen cardamoms are the best to use here
  • Black tea bags – Or you can use loose-leaf black tea
  • Half & half – Or whole milk.
  • Sugar – To make it sweet, of course!
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How To Make Homemade Chai Tea

While traditional Chai is incredibly rich and flavorful, it is surprisingly easy to make at home. I love making a large batch, and reheating a single cup at a time for a few days.

Here’s how to make a perfectly creamy and spicy chai tea latte:

  1. Mix. Crush the cardamom pods until they crack. Bring the water, tea, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom to a boil in a large saucepan.
  2. Simmer. Boil on medium heat for at least 8 minutes until the tea is very dark and has reduced to about 2 cups.
  3. Strain. Strain the tea to remove the tea bags and spices. Add the sugar and milk, and stir until hot.
  4. Pour. Pour into tea cups and enjoy! You can serve it with extra cinnamon sticks in the cups for added spice!
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Get The Full (Printable) Best Chai Latte Recipe + Video Below!

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Best Chai Tea Recipe Tips

  • Remember: Chai isn’t meant to be low carb or low sugar. It is meant to be strong, sweet, silky, and packed with spice! If you want your chai recipe to taste authentic, use the half & half and plenty of sugar.
  • For this chai latte recipe, you can use alternative sweeteners such as coconut sugar or date sugar; however, I would not recommend sweetener products such as stevia that will drastically change the chai flavor profile.
  • Also, using any liquid sugar swaps – like maple syrup or honey – will give you the sweetness you need, but will most likely change the chai tea consistency.
  • For a slightly stronger spiced flavor, gently crush the whole spices using a mortar and pestle!
  • If the chai isn’t strong or dark enough, feel free to throw in some more tea bags!
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is masala chai?

Technically, this recipe is actually masala chai. Masala means “spiced” chai which is black tea with whole spices that add extra flavor and make this tea very comforting. Some masala chai recipes include fresh ginger, so feel free to throw a little in!

What kind of black tea should I use in this chai recipe?

Any black tea would work, but I recommend using something strong like darjeeling tea or assam tea!

Does “chai” mean tea?

Yes! The word “chai” means tea in many different languages, with origins in India. So when we say “chai tea” it is redundant, but that is how it has become known here in the US!

How long does homemade chai tea keep?

You can make chai several days ahead and rewarm it when needed. Just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge, and leave the spices in the chai until ready to serve. The longer they sit in the tea, the bolder the flavor will be. You can refrigerate this chai for up to 10 days if you have any chai leftover!

Can I make vegan chai?

Definitely! While half & half will yield the creamiest chai texture, you can swap it out with dairy-free milk and still have a terrific flavorful tea. You want a base that has a high-fat content, so almond milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk would work best, but it would also be delicious with oat milk!

Does chai have caffeine in it?

Yes! Each cup of this tea could have up to 25 mg of caffeine in it, similar to basic black tea caffeine count.

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Looking for More Hot Beverage Recipes?

  • Slow Cooker Cider Wassail
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  • Lemon Ginger Detox Tea
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  • Drinking Caramel Recipe
How to Make Chai Tea - A Spicy Perspective (9)

How to Make Chai Tea - A Spicy Perspective (10)

Print Recipe

4.90 stars (37 reviews)

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Best Chai Tea Recipe

Prep Time: 1 minute minute

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 9 minutes minutes

How To Make Chai Tea – This easy homemade Chai Latte Recipe is rich and simple, with tons of exotic spice for authentic Indian flavor.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Press the cardamom pods until they crack. Bring the water, tea, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom to a boil.

  • Boil for 8-10 minutes, until the tea is black and has reduced to about 2 cups. Strain and add the sugar. Add the half & half and stir until hot.

  • Place the used cardamom pods in the bottom of the cups for good friends.

Video

Notes

This recipe makes 4 American-sized servings (approximately 8 oz.) or 12+ Indian-sized servings (approximately 3 oz.).

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 132kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 60mg, Potassium: 183mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 200IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 158mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Course: Beverage

Cuisine: Indian

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Beveragescardamom chai

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137 comments on “Best Chai Tea Recipe”

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  1. Phyllis Darling Reply

    I love this Chai Latte

  2. Olivia Reply

    I’ve never made homemade chai before it was super easy and tasted so good! I’ll be making this lots, thank you!

  3. Abby G Reply

    My absolute favorite tea, but my first time making it myself! So easy and delicious, thank you!

  4. Laurel Perkins Reply

    Green cardamom? I have black ones, they make a delicious chocolate syrup, but don’t look like those.

  5. Babita Reply

    It’s NOT chai tea – it’s just chai. Otherwise, it’s just redundant and disrespectful to “authentic” chai drinkers.

    • Sommer Collier Reply

      Hi Babita!

      Yes, agreed. We use certain wording because it’s how people are searching for chai recipes online. Using this wording helps people find our recipe. ;)

  6. Matthew Reply

    Where in the world does anyone find ‘buffalo milk’?

  7. Britni Reply

    The flavors in this are amazing!! So good!

    • Candace Reply

      I use honey to sweeten and half & half and love the taste of it against the cardamom. My partner uses regular white sugar and whole milk. He froths the milk first too.

How to Make Chai Tea - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

How to Make Chai Tea - A Spicy Perspective? ›

Recipes for chai vary across continents, cultures, towns and families. But the traditional ingredients of a spiced tea blend usually include black tea mixed with strong spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and black peppercorns.

Why is chai tea spicy? ›

Recipes for chai vary across continents, cultures, towns and families. But the traditional ingredients of a spiced tea blend usually include black tea mixed with strong spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and black peppercorns.

What is the difference between chai tea and spiced chai tea? ›

'Masala' refers to a combination of spices in Indian cuisine; Masala Chai directly translates to 'spiced tea' and what most people consider 'Chai' to be is actually better known as Masala Chai. Once Masala Chai made its way across various oceans it dropped its first name and become lovingly referred to as just Chai.

What can I add to chai tea to make it taste better? ›

We also love using nut milks to create interesting flavor profiles, like chai tea lattes with almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk. Lastly, sweeten up your cuppa with honey or sugar, and sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top for a finishing touch.

What does spicy chai tea taste like? ›

Chai tea is one of the tastiest beverages around! It has a wonderfully warm, spicy flavor that is incredibly inviting. Chai tea has a sweet, spiced flavor that is similar to black tea with notes of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, and clove. It is typically creamy and has a subtle sweetness.

Is chai tea supposed to be spicy? ›

Chai is traditionally a sweet milky tea, originating in India. Chai tea is renowned for it's spicy aromas and delicious flavours. Sometimes you hear chai tea being called masala chai. Masala means spice and chai means tea, so Masala Chai means Spice Tea.

What is spicy chai called? ›

Masala chai (or Spiced Chai) is a traditional Indian tea made with spices, ginger, and milk.

What is dirty vs spiced chai? ›

A Dirty Chai consists of a Chai Latte with the addition of an espresso shot. This extra element brings a robust coffee taste to the drink, differentiating it from a traditional Chai Latte. A Chai Latte is simply made with concentrated tea and various spices, creating a unique balance between flavors.

Is chai tea just cinnamon? ›

Chai can include a number of different spices. Cardamom is the most common ingredient, followed by some mixture of cinnamon, ginger, star anise and cloves. Pepper, coriander, nutmeg and fennel are also used, but they are slightly less common. Every family has a blend to suit its tastes.

What kind of chai does Starbucks use? ›

"Tazo Chai latte is the brand served at Starbucks.

Why does my chai taste bland? ›

Similarly, if you make this chai with a non-fat milk, you won't extract as many flavors from the spices as if you make it with a milk that has some fat. So do your spices a flavor, and don't make this with skim milk. Nerdy science note done.

Why does my chai not taste good? ›

You must use black tea which has the strength to hold its own with the spices--green tea won't do. Also, interestingly, chai must be sweetened to bring out the flavor of the spices - chai is not very good unless it is sweetened. We use ordinary granulated sugar so no extra flavors are added.

What pairs well with chai? ›

Chai is a warm and spicy tea, making it a great partner for spicy snacks. Consider pairing your chai with spiced nuts like almonds or cashews, or perhaps some spicy crackers.

Is spicy chai tea good for you? ›

Chai tea is a fragrant, spicy tea that may help boost heart health, reduce blood sugar levels, aid digestion and help with weight loss. Although most of these health benefits are backed by science, it's worth noting that they are generally linked to the ingredients used in chai tea rather than chai tea itself.

What is a good spicy tea? ›

5 Popular Spiced Teas
  • Turmeric Tea. Also known as “Indian Saffron,” turmeric has a long record of culinary, medicinal, spiritual and cultural use in India. ...
  • Cinnamon Tea. Cinnamon tea is among the most popular varieties of spiced tea. ...
  • Ginger Tea. ...
  • Cardamom Tea. ...
  • Clove Tea.
Oct 28, 2021

What is a spicy chai at Starbucks? ›

Black tea infused with cinnamon, clove, and other warming spices are combined with milk and ice for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Why is Starbucks chai spicy? ›

Starbucks chai contains ground black peppercorns, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, so you can look for masala chai that contains those spices for the most accurate recreation.

Is chai tea good for your stomach? ›

Chai tea contains spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom, which may help to promote healthy digestion and reduce bloating. These spices are also known to alleviate nausea and soothe stomach discomfort.

What is chai tea supposed to taste like? ›

Chai is a complex blend of flavors characterized by a balance of bold black tea leaves and different spices. Without a doubt, the most powerful notes in a cup of chai are cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.

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