Chennai Rainy Day Masala Chai with Cardamom and Ginger

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated 2026-05-14

A warm, comforting masala chai brewed with fresh ginger and cardamom, perfect for sipping while watching Chennai’s monsoon rains. This Indian-inspired recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, brings together water, whole milk, black tea leaves 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 3, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" 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

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tsp black tea leaves
• 1 inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 4 green cardamom pods, crushed
• 2 cloves
• 4 black peppercorns
• 2 tbsp sugar

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add 1 inch thinly sliced fresh ginger, 4 crushed green cardamom pods, 2 cloves, and 4 black peppercorns. Boil for 5 minutes to infuse the spices.
2. Step 2: Add 2 tsp black tea leaves and simmer for 3 minutes until the tea is strong and aromatic.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1 cup whole milk and 2 tbsp sugar, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to low, simmering for 2 minutes until the chai is creamy and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Strain the chai through a fine sieve into cups and serve hot.