Spiced Coffee-Chai Fusion with Ethiopian Cardamom

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warming beverage blending Ethiopian-style coffee with fragrant chai spices and cardamom for a unique aromatic drink. 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 110 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 African cuisine 110 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, add 4 cups water, 3 tbsp coarsely ground Ethiopian coffee beans, 2 tsp black tea leaves, 4 crushed green cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 whole cloves, 1 inch sliced fresh ginger, and 4 whole black peppercorns.
  2. Step 2: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to extract rich flavors.
  3. Step 3: Strain the brew through a fine mesh sieve into another pot, pressing solids to extract liquid.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup milk or plant-based milk and 2 tbsp honey to the strained liquid, warming gently over low heat until hot but not boiling, stirring to combine.
  5. Step 5: Pour into cups and serve immediately for a fragrant, spiced coffee chai fusion.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Coffee-Chai Fusion with Ethiopian Cardamom 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 Spiced Coffee-Chai Fusion with Ethiopian Cardamom?

Refrigerate any leftover spiced coffee-chai fusion with ethiopian 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 Coffee-Chai Fusion with Ethiopian 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 Coffee-Chai Fusion with Ethiopian Cardamom 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 Spiced Coffee-Chai Fusion with Ethiopian Cardamom?

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.

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