Quick and Easy Homemade Chai Concentrate
why make this recipe
Making your own chai concentrate at home is quick and easy. It allows you to enjoy a flavorful cup of chai whenever you want. You can customize the sweetness and spice levels to fit your taste. Plus, making this chai concentrate saves time because you can prepare a large batch and use it throughout the week.
how to make Quick and Easy Homemade Chai Concentrate
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 cup milk (or non-dairy alternative)
- 1/2 cup sugar (to taste)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 cardamom pods
- 5 cloves
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- In a pot, bring water to a boil.
- Add tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, and ginger.
- Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add sugar and vanilla extract, stirring to combine.
- Strain the mixture into a jar, discarding the solids.
- To serve, mix equal parts chai concentrate with milk and heat, or serve over ice for a refreshing iced chai tea latte.
how to serve Quick and Easy Homemade Chai Concentrate
You can serve your chai concentrate hot or cold. For a hot cup, mix equal parts of chai concentrate and milk in a saucepan. Heat it gently until warm, then pour it into your favorite mug. For an iced version, combine the concentrate with milk over ice. You can also add whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top for extra flavor.
how to store Quick and Easy Homemade Chai Concentrate
Store any leftover chai concentrate in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. It will last about a week. When you’re ready to use it again, just shake the jar and mix it with milk or water before heating or serving over ice.
tips to make Quick and Easy Homemade Chai Concentrate
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar based on your taste.
- You can also add other spices like black pepper or nutmeg for a different flavor.
- Use fresh ginger for a stronger spice flavor, or dried ginger if that is what you have on hand.
variation
Instead of using black tea, you can try green tea or herbal tea blends. You can also make a caffeine-free version by omitting the tea bags altogether and relying on the spices for flavor.
FAQs
Can I use tea bags other than black tea?
Yes, you can use green tea, white tea, or herbal teas, but the flavor will change.
Can I make this recipe without sugar?
Absolutely! You can omit the sugar or use a sugar substitute if you prefer it to be sugar-free.
How can I make a larger batch?
You can easily double or triple the ingredients, then store the extra chai concentrate in the refrigerator for later use.
Homemade Chai Concentrate
Ingredients
Method
- In a pot, bring water to a boil.
- Add tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, and ginger.
- Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add sugar and vanilla extract, stirring to combine.
- Strain the mixture into a jar, discarding the solids.
- Mix equal parts chai concentrate with milk and heat in a saucepan, or serve over ice for an iced chai tea latte.