Bring 1½ cups of water to a boil in a saucepan and add the cinnamon stick, crushed cardamom pods, sliced ginger, and cloves. Let the spices simmer gently for about 5 minutes.

Add the black tea leaves or tea bags to the simmering mixture and let steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer the tea’s flavor.

Pour in the coconut milk and reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes.

Stir in coconut sugar to achieve your desired level of sweetness. Adjust gradually to your taste preference.

Use a fine mesh strainer to pour the chai into cups or mugs, filtering out tea leaves and spices.

Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon or add a star anise on top for extra warmth and aroma. Serve hot or allow to cool and serve over ice.