Cardamom-Simmered Kashmiri Chai

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-11 · Updated 2026-04-11

A fragrant, spiced tea brewed with cardamom, cloves, and a hint of cinnamon, traditionally served with toasted almonds. This Indian recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, brings together water, green cardamom pods, and cloves for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 3 green cardamom pods
• 2 cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp loose-leaf black tea
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds

The shaker and jigger we’d mix this with → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth Buying

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Add 3 whole green cardamom pods, 2 whole cloves, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp loose-leaf black tea and simmer for 3 minutes to release flavor.
3. Step 3: Add 1/4 cup milk and 2 tbsp sugar, then bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil vigorously) for 2 minutes, stirring until sugar dissolves.
4. Step 4: Strain the tea into cups, discarding the spices. Serve hot with 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds on the side.