Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Cardamom Chai Latte
A warming, aromatic chai latte infused with Ethiopian coffee and cardamom, blending traditional flavors for a comforting beverage. This african-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, tablespoon black tea leaves, lightly crushed green cardamom pods 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 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 tablespoons Ethiopian coffee grounds (medium grind)
- 1 tablespoon black tea leaves
- 6, lightly crushed green cardamom pods
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 thin slices fresh ginger slices
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 cup milk or plant-based milk
- 2 tablespoons, optional honey
- 2, crushed (optional for spice) black peppercorns
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons Ethiopian coffee grounds, 1 tablespoon black tea leaves, 6 lightly crushed green cardamom pods, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 4 thin fresh ginger slices, 3 whole cloves, and 2 crushed black peppercorns (if using). Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer the spiced coffee-tea mixture uncovered for 8 minutes to extract all flavors.
- Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean saucepan, discarding solids.
- Step 4: Heat 1 cup milk or plant-based milk in the saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tablespoons honey (optional) until dissolved, then pour into mugs and serve immediately for a fragrant Ethiopian coffee-spiced chai latte experience.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Cardamom 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-Spiced Cardamom Chai Latte?
Refrigerate any leftover ethiopian coffee-spiced cardamom 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-Spiced Cardamom 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-Spiced Cardamom 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-Spiced Cardamom 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.
