Hazelnut Free Classic Chai Latte
Warming, deeply spiced, and endlessly comforting, this homemade chai latte is the kind of drink that makes you want to curl up and slow down. Whole spices — cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and ginger — are simmered low and slow until the water turns fragrant and amber, building a flavor base that no powder or syrup can replicate. The milk is added right alongside the tea and brought to a gentle simmer, so everything melds together into something rich and beautifully layered. A drizzle of honey at the end rounds out the spice without overpowering it, and you can dial it up or back depending on your mood. For anyone navigating nut allergies, café drinks can be a minefield — flavored syrups, shared steamers, and hazelnut-laced blends are everywhere. Making it at home with these straightforward ingredients means you know exactly what's in your cup, full stop. It's a small ritual that delivers serious coffeehouse vibes without any of the guesswork.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 black tea bags (or 2 tsp loose-leaf black tea)
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 whole black peppercorns
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 2 tbsp honey, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, ginger, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, and star anise (if using) in a small 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
Add the tea bags and milk to the saucepan. Raise the heat to medium and bring the mixture just to a gentle simmer — small bubbles at the edges, not a rolling boil — then reduce the heat to low and steep for 4 to 5 minutes, until the chai is deep brown and richly spiced.
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