Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte
A warming chai latte infused with Ethiopian coffee aromas and spiced with cardamom for a fragrant morning or afternoon treat. This african-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, black tea leaves, Ethiopian coffee beans, crushed 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 150 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 tsp black tea leaves
- 1 tsp Ethiopian coffee beans, crushed
- 4 green cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 3 pieces (1/2 inch each) fresh ginger slices
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 whole black peppercorns
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups water, 2 tsp black tea leaves, 1 tsp crushed Ethiopian coffee beans, 4 crushed green cardamom pods, 1 small cinnamon stick, 3 slices fresh ginger, and 3 whole black peppercorns. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 7 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Step 2: Remove the pan from heat and strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into another saucepan.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup milk and 2 tbsp honey to the strained tea and gently warm over medium-low heat until hot but not boiling, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Pour the chai latte into cups and serve immediately, enjoying the aromatic blend of Ethiopian coffee and warming spices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte?
Refrigerate any leftover ethiopian coffee-inspired cardamom-spiced chai latte in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte?
African cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
