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Chai Latte from Scratch

A delightful chai latte recipe that combines black tea, spices, and milk for a comforting and aromatic drink.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Beverage, Snack
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chai Base
  • 2 cups Water The base of your chai, helping extract all the beautiful flavors from the spices.
  • 2 tablespoons Black tea leaves Strong and robust, can substitute with any black tea bags.
  • 1 stick Cinnamon stick Adds warmth and a hint of sweetness; can substitute with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
  • 1 inch Fresh ginger Grated or sliced; use powdered ginger if fresh isn’t available.
  • 5 pods Cardamom pods A must for authentic chai; can substitute with a pinch of ground cardamom.
To Finish
  • 1 cup Milk or non-dairy alternative Makes your chai smooth and creamy; can use almond milk, oat milk, or any preferred non-dairy milk.
  • to taste none Sweetener (Honey, sugar, or maple syrup) Adjust according to your preference; skip sweeteners for a healthier option.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a saucepan, pour 2 cups of water and bring it to a gentle boil.
  2. Once boiling, add the black tea leaves, cinnamon stick, sliced ginger, and cardamom pods. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Strain the mixture into a separate saucepan to catch the tea leaves and spices.
  4. Pour in 1 cup of milk (or non-dairy milk) and add your sweetener. Stir gently and let it warm up slowly until it’s steaming but not boiling.
  5. Pour into your favorite mug, and enjoy! Optionally, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top for a lovely finish.

Notes

Store leftover chai in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, avoiding boiling to maintain flavors. You can double the recipe for a quick morning drink.