Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony-Style Spiced Ginger Chai

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

A warming Ethiopian-inspired ginger chai tea, infused with spices and freshly brewed coffee notes, perfect for a cozy evening drink. This Ethiopian-inspired recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, brings together water, fresh ginger, sliced thin, 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 90 calories and feeds 4, 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

• 4 cups water
• 2 inches fresh ginger, sliced thin
• 3 tbsp black tea leaves
• 4 cardamom pods, crushed
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 tbsp sugar or honey
• 1/2 cup freshly brewed strong coffee (optional)
• 1 cup milk or plant-based milk

The coffee makers we’d brew this with → Best Coffee Makers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium pot, bring 4 cups water and 2 inches thinly sliced fresh ginger to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse ginger flavor.
2. Step 2: Add 3 tbsp black tea leaves, 4 crushed cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 whole cloves to the pot. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until the spices and tea steep fully.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp sugar or honey and 1/2 cup freshly brewed strong coffee if using, simmer for another 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat, strain the tea into cups, and add 1 cup milk or plant-based milk. Stir well and serve warm.