Seasons greetings people! If you’re somewhere cold, I hope that you’re enjoying the warmth of a thick blanket and some hot cocoa. If you’re like me though, the hot cocoa can get pretty tiring after a while. My favorite cold weather drink is chai tea. Spicy. Warm. Creamy. Perfect. My best friend’s mother introduced me to homemade chai tea on New Year’s Day a few years ago. I still toss and turn at night over the perfection that my taste buds encountered on that fateful night. I put my own twist on her recipe to get a spicier tea.
WHAT YOU NEED (Yields 2 1/2 cups):
12 cardamom pods, crushed
12 cloves
1 tablespoon chopped ginger
2 cinnamon stick
2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons black tea
2/3 cup of milk
Sugar, to taste
Steep cardamom, cloves, ginger, cinnamon stick, and water
for 12 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn down your stove to low heat and add black tea. Steep until boiling, stirring occasionally. At this point, your tea will be extremely bitter, but the milk will balance that out. Stir in milk and sugar to taste. Steep for 1-2 minutes, allowing the milk to warm up. Strain and pour into your fanciest tea cup.
A warm, spice-rich cup of chai tea to keep you warm this coming winter. Add a spiral of whip cream and a dash of cinnamon on top for a cozier experience. Enjoy with someone special :).
A warm, spice-rich cup of chai tea to keep you warm this coming winter. Add a spiral of whip cream and a dash of cinnamon on top for a cozier experience. Enjoy with someone special :).
