Homemade Masala Chai (Spiced Chai)
Warm, fragrant and layered with cozy spices, this homemade masala chai combines black tea, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves with creamy milk and a touch of honey. Make a batch ahead and reheat it whenever you’re craving a comforting mug.
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My oh my, I love chai! It’s warm, subtly sweet and beautifully spiced—the sort of drink that makes an ordinary afternoon feel instantly cozier. Masala chai originated in India; masala refers to a blend of spices, while chai simply means tea. Every recipe has its own personality, and this is the combination I return to again and again.
I love that making chai at home puts you in charge of the sweetness, the type of milk and the intensity of the spices. Black tea naturally contains polyphenols—plant compounds with antioxidant properties—while ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves build incredible depth without requiring heaps of added sugar. The result feels every bit as special as a coffeehouse drink, but you can customize each mug exactly the way you like it. Use dairy milk for a classic creamy finish, reach for your favorite plant-based option or add an extra splash if you prefer a milder brew.
More café favorites to sip and savor
Once you start making specialty drinks at home, it’s hard to stop! When you’re craving something warm and cozy, try my Almond Hot Cocoa, Peppermint Hot Cocoa or Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte. Prefer your pick-me-up frosty? Cool down with a Strawberry Matcha Iced Latte, Iced Peanut Butter Latte or thick and creamy Frozen Peanut Butter Latte.
I load my rendition with traditional chai spices—cardamom pods, cloves, peppercorns, fresh ginger, cinnamon and a pinch of fennel. Together, they create a complex brew that’s aromatic and gently zippy without allowing any single spice to steal the show. Think of this recipe as a welcoming starting point: add another ginger slice for extra kick, scale back the cloves or toss in the optional nutmeg to make it your own.
Because homemade masala chai is a bit more involved than steeping an everyday tea bag, I like to prepare a generous batch and stash the leftovers in the refrigerator. This little ritual began during one especially busy stretch when I kept abandoning half-finished cups on my desk. I decided to simmer a pot on Sunday, and suddenly a steamy mug was only a microwave minute away all week. Problem solved—and afternoon upgraded!
Why this chai is my cup of tea
- Wonderfully warming: Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves create layers of cozy flavor.
- Easy to customize: Choose your favorite milk and sweetener, then adjust the spices to suit your taste.
- Naturally make-ahead friendly: Refrigerate the extra chai and reheat individual portions as cravings strike.
- Sweetness is in your hands: A modest amount of honey or maple syrup rounds out the spices without turning this into a sugar bomb.
- A coffeehouse treat at home: It’s creamy, aromatic and comforting—no café run required.
Pour it into your favorite mug, find a cozy spot and let those gorgeous spices work their magic.
Try this Chai-Spiced Eggnog!
Homemade Masala Chai (Spiced Chai)
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 16 cardamom pods
- 10 whole cloves
- 8 white peppercorns, may swap in black if you can’t find white
- 4 to 5 1-inch slices of fresh ginger root (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger powder)
- 4 to 5 cinnamon sticks, or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of fennel seeds
- Optional ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 black tea bags
- 3 to 4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk, or any milk of choice
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the water, cardamon, cloves, peppercorn, ginger, cinnamon, fennel seeds, and nutmeg, if using, into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it boils, lower the heat and cover the pan with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add tea bags and steep for 5 minutes (longer if you prefer a strong tea flavor). Remove tea bags and discard. Add milk, vanilla and honey to the pan. Increase heat to medium and continue to simmer and stir until it’s gently bubbling and heated throughout.
- Strain liquid and pour into mugs. Stash leftover tea in the fridge. Pour into mugs and warm in microwave whenever you’re in the mood for some cozy spiced chai.
