Spiced Cinnamon Chai Latte with Cardamom
A warm, fragrant chai latte brewed with black tea, cinnamon sticks, and fresh cardamom pods for a comforting aromatic beverage. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 17 minutes brings together water, whole milk, black tea bags 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 160 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
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 black tea bags
- 1 medium cinnamon stick
- 4, crushed green cardamom pods
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 3 whole cloves
- 5 whole black peppercorns
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 crushed green cardamom pods, 3 whole cloves, 5 whole black peppercorns, and 1/4 tsp ground ginger. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse spices.
- Step 2: Add 2 black tea bags to the spiced water and steep for 4 minutes off the heat until strong but not bitter.
- Step 3: Remove tea bags and spices with a strainer. Add 1 cup whole milk and 2 tbsp brown sugar to the saucepan, then return to medium heat and warm for 3-4 minutes until steaming but not boiling.
- Step 4: Whisk vigorously or use a milk frother to create a light foam before pouring into cups.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Cinnamon Chai Latte with Cardamom take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (5 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Spiced Cinnamon Chai Latte with Cardamom?
Refrigerate any leftover spiced cinnamon chai latte with cardamom 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 Spiced Cinnamon Chai Latte with Cardamom?
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 Spiced Cinnamon Chai Latte with Cardamom 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 Spiced Cinnamon Chai Latte with Cardamom?
General 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.
