Dairy Free Chai Spice Iced Tea
Warm spices meet a cool, refreshing glass in this chai-inspired iced tea that feels like a treat without any of the fuss. Black tea is simmered with cinnamon, fresh ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black peppercorns, creating a deeply aromatic base that's naturally rich and complex — no dairy required. Maple syrup brings just the right touch of sweetness, rounding out the spice without overpowering it. Traditional chai often leans on milk or cream, but this version proves you don't need either to get that cozy, layered flavor you're after. Everything gets strained clean and poured over ice for a drink that's crisp, bold, and completely plant-based by design. It's the kind of thing you'll want to keep a pitcher of in the fridge all week.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 cups water
- 3 black tea bags
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 6 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 4 whole cloves
- ¼ tsp black peppercorns
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
For serving
- 1 cup ice cubes, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, cinnamon stick, sliced ginger, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, and black peppercorns in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the liquid is fragrant and lightly amber.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the tea bags and steep for 4 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags.
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