Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Chai with Cardamom and Cinnamon
A warming chai tea infused with Ethiopian coffee essence, aromatic cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for a vibrant, fragrant beverage. This african-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, Ethiopian coffee beans, coarsely ground, 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
- 3 cups water
- 2 tbsp Ethiopian coffee beans, coarsely ground
- 1 tbsp black tea leaves
- 4 whole cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 thin slices fresh ginger slices
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat; add 2 tbsp coarsely ground Ethiopian coffee beans, 1 tbsp black tea leaves, 4 crushed cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, and 3 thin slices of fresh ginger.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer the mixture gently for 8 minutes to allow the spices and coffee to infuse fully.
- Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into another saucepan or teapot to remove grounds and spices.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup milk and 2 tbsp honey to the strained chai; return to low heat and warm for 3 minutes until hot but not boiling.
- Step 5: Pour into cups and serve immediately for a fragrant, spiced Ethiopian-inspired chai experience.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Chai with Cardamom and Cinnamon 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 Chai with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
Refrigerate any leftover ethiopian coffee-spiced chai with cardamom and cinnamon 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 Chai with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
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 Chai with Cardamom and Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Chai with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
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.
