Description
A comforting and aromatic Spiced Vanilla Chai recipe combining black tea, warming spices, and a hint of vanilla for a perfect cozy beverage. This chai blends fresh ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and smooth vanilla with milk and a touch of honey or sugar for a delightful, soothing cup.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Base
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1 cup whole milk or alternatives (oat, almond, or coconut work)
Tea and Spices
- 2 black tea bags (Assam/Darjeeling)
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cardamom pods, crushed
Flavorings and Sweetener
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp honey or sugar (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Boil 2 cups of filtered water. Meanwhile, crush the cardamom pods and slice 1 inch of fresh ginger to release their flavors.
- Simmer Spices: Add the crushed cardamom pods, sliced ginger, and cinnamon sticks to the boiling water. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes to extract the essential oils and infuse the water with spice flavors.
- Steep Tea: Add 2 black tea bags to the simmering spiced water. Lower the heat further and cover the pot. Let the tea steep for 5 minutes carefully to develop a robust flavor without bitterness.
- Finalize Chai: Remove the tea bags and add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract along with 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar, adjusting sweetness to your preference. Stir in 1 cup of whole milk or your chosen alternative and gently heat through for 2-3 minutes without boiling.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less honey or sugar depending on your taste.
- If preferred, use dairy-free milk alternatives such as oat, almond, or coconut milk for a vegan version.
- For stronger chai, increase the number of tea bags or steep longer but avoid oversteeping to prevent bitterness.
- Cardamom pods should be lightly crushed to release flavor but not ground into powder.
- This recipe can be doubled or tripled easily for serving more people.
