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 subtly sweet and beautifully spiced… the sort of drink that makes an ordinary afternoon feel instantly special. 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 also love that making chai at home puts you in charge of the sweetness, as well as 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 finished beverage feels every bit as awesome as a coffeehouse drink… and you should feel free to customize each mug exactly the way you like it. For example, use dairy milk for a classic creamy finish or reach for your favorite plant-based option like almond, soy, or oat milk.
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.
If you prefer something chilled and frosty, try my Strawberry Matcha Iced Latte, Iced Peanut Butter Latte or this thick and creamy Frozen Peanut Butter Latte. Oh, and make this Mocha Frappe!
I load my chai rendition with traditional spices… cardamom pods, cloves, peppercorns, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and a pinch of fennel. Together, they create a complex brew that’s aromatic and balanced 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 large pot on Sunday, and suddenly a steamy mug was only a microwave minute away all week. Problem solved… and my afternoons were 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, and adjust the spices to suit your taste.
- Make a big batch: Double the recipe, stash in the fridge, and reheat individual portions as cravings strike.
- Sweeten to your preference: A modest amount of honey or maple syrup rounds out the spices without turning this into a sugar bomb.
- DIY coffeehouse treat: No café run required—just prep, sip and savor!
Pour it into your favorite mug, find a cozy spot on the couch, 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.
