Iced Chai Tea Latte Recipe
History of Chai
Chai first came into existence approximately 5000 years ago in India as an Ayurvedic tonic that was meant to help heal those who consumed it. There were various versions created, all with different combinations of teas, herbs, and spices, meant to target specific needs. The term “chai” is a Hindi word that translates to “tea,” although nowadays, it is most commonly associated with the sweet, spicy, and creamy chai lattes that you can find in any cafe across the world. This preparation is referred to as “Masala Chai” in India, and traditionally includes milk and sweetener to create a creamy treat that is often paired with biscuits. Masala chai is a huge component of Indian culture, and you’ll often be served it when you’re a guest at someone’s home, as a complimentary treat to enhance your shopping experience, or with dessert at any restaurant or social gathering.
So now that you know a bit more about the history and culture behind that chai, let’s talk about how to make the perfect iced chai latte!
Iced Chai Tea Latte from Art Of Tea
A chai latte is a delicious mixture of Indian black teas, spices, sweetener, and milk. The exact proportions for each set of spices and blends will vary depending on who you ask, so we encourage you to tailor this recipe to your unique tastes and preferences!
Ingredients:
This particular iced chai latte recipe will yield 2 cups and will require:
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1/2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 Cardamom pods
- ¼ teaspoon Ginger root
- 2 tablespoons Maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon high-quality black tea leaves
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 1 cup ice
Instructions:
Step 1: Roughly chop your cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and peeled ginger root.
We recommend using whole spices whenever possible to impart the deepest flavor. Additionally, grinding your spices by hand can be a fun way to increase mindfulness in your tea ritual as well as allowing you to tailor the taste to your preferences. That said, feel free to use ground spices if that is more convenient for you. Additionally, while we love using cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger in our chai lattes, we encourage you to experiment with other warming spices like whole cloves, star anise, black peppercorns, and ground nutmeg to find a blend that you love the most.
Step 2: Combine your pure, filtered water, maple syrup (or preferred sweetener of choice), and ground spices in a saucepan over low to medium heat until you reach a boil.
We always recommend using pure, filtered water for your tea to create the highest quality brew, regardless of whether you’re drinking it hot, iced, or in a latte. Additionally, be sure to keep an eye on your saucepan to ensure that it doesn’t boil over.
Step 3: Once your mixture has reached a boil, lower the heat and allow it to simmer for approximately ten minutes. This step will allow the flavors to come together.
Step 4: Turn the heat off and add your whole leaf black tea to the saucepan.
Allow the tea to steep anywhere between five to ten minutes. The longer you steep your tea, the stronger the taste will be and the more caffeinated your beverage will become, so use your personal preference for this step.
When deciding what type of tea to use, we suggest any bold Indian black tea. We love Assam Gold, Darjeeling, or Monks Blend. Additionally, you can always use a pre-made chai blend like our Tali’s Masala Chai, a customer favorite blend of organic black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger, if you’d like to skip picking and grinding your spices on your own. That said, we encourage you to try making a chai latte from scratch at least once, it’s so fun, rewarding, and delicious. You’ll be hooked!
Step 4: Strain your mixture into a pitcher, cover it, and then either place it in the fridge or allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Step 5: Pour the cooled tea over ice and top it off with your favorite non-dairy milk. We love using Oat milk, but feel free to play around with it until you find the base that you enjoy the most.
Step 6: Enjoy and repeat frequently!
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