Ethiopian-Inspired Coffee Spiced Chai Latte

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warm and comforting chai latte infused with the rich flavors of Ethiopian coffee and traditional warming spices. This african-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee, whole milk, stick cinnamon stick 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 African cuisine 150 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 crushed cardamom pods, 3 whole cloves, and 1 inch sliced fresh ginger. Heat over medium heat until simmering gently, then reduce heat to low and steep for 5 minutes to infuse the spices.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 tsp black tea leaves to the spiced milk and steep for an additional 3 minutes without boiling.
  3. Step 3: Strain the milk mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a separate pot, discarding solids.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee, 2 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract into the spiced milk. Heat gently for 2 minutes until warm and combined.
  5. Step 5: Pour into mugs and serve immediately for a fragrant, spiced chai latte with Ethiopian coffee depth.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Ethiopian-Inspired Coffee 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-Inspired Coffee Spiced Chai Latte?

Refrigerate any leftover ethiopian-inspired coffee 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-Inspired Coffee 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-Inspired Coffee 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-Inspired Coffee 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.