Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 whole star anise
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 4 cardamom pods, cracked
- 4–5 black tea bags or 1/4 cup loose black tea
- 2 cups half & half or whole milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Crack the cardamom pods slightly to release flavor.
- In a saucepan, combine water, star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, and black tea. Bring to a boil.
- Boil for 8–10 minutes until the tea is dark and reduced to about 2 cups.
- Strain the tea into a clean pot or container to remove solids.
- Add the granulated sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Pour in half & half (or whole milk) and heat until hot but not boiling.
- Serve hot. Optionally, place the used cardamom pods in cups as a thoughtful touch.
Notes
- Makes 4 American-sized servings (approx. 8 oz) or 12+ Indian-sized servings (approx. 3 oz).
- To store: Refrigerate leftover chai in an airtight container for up to 10 days. Leave the spices in for a stronger flavor over time.
- Customize sweetness or spice level to your preference—add ginger, cloves, or black pepper for extra kick.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
