Description
This Christmas Chai Latte is a warm and festive spiced tea beverage perfect for the holiday season. It combines aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper with rich black tea, sweetened brown sugar, and creamy milk. Topped with a lightly spiced whipped cream, this comforting drink brings cozy holiday cheer in every sip.
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Mix
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- A pinch of ground black pepper
Chai Latte
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 black tea bag or 1 tsp black tea leaves
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp of the spice mix (from above)
- 1/2 cup milk (or a plant-based alternative)
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp of the spice mix (reserved from above)
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper. Set aside 1/4 teaspoon of this spice mix to be used later for the whipped cream topping.
- Heat Water and Add Ingredients: Pour the water into a saucepan, add the black tea bag or leaves, brown sugar, and the remaining spice mix. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it just starts to simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and infuse the spices.
- Brew the Chai Base: Lower the heat to low, stir in the milk, then let the chai steep gently for 5 minutes to develop a rich, balanced flavor.
- Strain and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and strain the chai into a mug to filter out the tea leaves and spice sediments. Keep warm while preparing the topping.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a mixing bowl, whisk the heavy cream, honey, and reserved 1/4 teaspoon of spice mix until soft peaks form. This can be done by hand or with an electric mixer for quicker results.
- Top and Garnish: Spoon or pipe the spiced whipped cream over the chai latte. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top before serving.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of brown sugar to your preferred sweetness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with almond, soy, or oat milk and use coconut cream or a non-dairy whipped topping.
- The spice mix can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to a week to save time.
- Use fresh ground spices for the best flavor.
- If you prefer a stronger chai, increase the tea steeping time by a few minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Keywords: Christmas Chai Latte, Spiced Tea, Holiday Beverage, Chai Recipe, Festive Drink
