Hot Chai Recipe
Make Hot Chai Recipe in just 20m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Chai Concentrate (brew)
Sweetening & Finish
Method
Chai Concentrate (brew)
- 1
Combine spices and water
In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups water with the sliced ginger, crushed cardamom pods, cloves, crushed peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and star anise (if using).
- 2
Simmer to extract flavors
Bring the spiced water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and let it simmer, uncovered, for 5–8 minutes. This extracts the spice flavors — longer simmering gives a stronger spice character.
- 3
Add tea
Add 2 tablespoons of black tea leaves to the simmering spiced water. Stir once, and let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes. Avoid over-steeping to prevent excessive bitterness.
- 4
- 5
Sweeten and finish
Stir in 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or substitute brown sugar/honey to taste). Remove from heat. If using, stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract now for a rounded flavor.
- 6
Strain
Strain the chai through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof container or directly into serving cups to remove tea leaves and whole spices.
Serve
- 7
Serve hot
Pour the strained hot chai into two mugs (about 1.5 cups per serving total). Taste and adjust sweetness if desired. Optionally dust each cup with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon.