Gelatin Free Spiced Chai Latte
Warming, aromatic, and deeply satisfying, this spiced chai latte is the kind of drink that makes a cold morning feel like a genuine occasion. Whole spices — cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and star anise — are simmered with fresh ginger until the kitchen smells absolutely incredible, building a flavor base that no powder or syrup can replicate. Many café-style chai drinks and pre-made mixes sneak in unexpected additives, so brewing your own from scratch means you know exactly what's in the cup. Every ingredient here is straightforwardly plant- and dairy-based, with honey stirred in at the end for a gentle, natural sweetness. The technique is simple: bloom the spices, steep the tea, warm the milk, and strain — no special equipment beyond a saucepan and a fine-mesh strainer. A light dusting of cinnamon on top makes it feel like something you'd pay too much for at a coffee shop, except this version is yours, made exactly to taste.
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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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