Chestnut Free Spiced Chai Latte
Warming, aromatic, and deeply satisfying, this spiced chai latte is the kind of drink that makes you want to curl up on the couch and never leave. Whole spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and black peppercorns are simmered together until the kitchen smells absolutely incredible, building a complex, layered base that no powder or syrup can replicate. Fresh ginger adds a gentle heat that cuts through the richness of the whole milk, and a drizzle of honey brings everything into perfect balance. Because this is made entirely from scratch with simple, recognizable ingredients, there's no need to scrutinize store-bought labels or worry about unexpected additives sneaking into your cup. The whole process is straightforward — simmer, steep, warm, strain — and the result is a café-quality drink you made yourself. A light dusting of ground cinnamon on top is the finishing touch that makes it feel genuinely special.
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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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