Almond Free Spiced Chai Latte
Warming, aromatic, and deeply comforting, this spiced chai latte is the kind of drink that makes a cold morning feel like a gift. Whole spices — cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and star anise — are simmered together with fresh ginger until the kitchen smells absolutely incredible, then layered with bold black tea and creamy whole milk. Sweetened with honey to your liking, every cup hits that perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and rich. Café chai can be a minefield for anyone avoiding certain nuts or nut-based milks, but this recipe keeps things beautifully straightforward with ingredients you can easily verify yourself. The stovetop method gives you full control over the spice intensity and sweetness, so you can dial it exactly to your taste. Strain it into your favorite mug, dust with a little cinnamon, and settle in — this one is a keeper.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 1 cup water
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 whole black peppercorns
- 1 star anise
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 tsp loose-leaf black tea or 2 black tea bags
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1–2 tbsp honey, to taste
For serving
- ground cinnamon, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, black peppercorns, star anise, and ginger 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 black tea (loose-leaf or bags) to the saucepan and steep for 3 minutes, until the brew is deep brown and strongly aromatic.
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