Chai Latte

A Chai Latte is the perfect way to start your day in lieu of coffee, or as an afternoon pick me up.  Served hot its nice and warming on a cold winter day.  Come summertime, ice it and it’s a refreshing treat.  Most Chai Lattes are so sweet and full of sugar and preservatives that make it hard to fully enjoy.  Try making it at home- you’d be surprised at how easy it is and how much better it tastes.  No need for sweet syrupy goo from a carton ever again!

Ingredients:

2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced

2 cinnamon sticks

2 tsps black peppercorns

10 whole cloves

6 cardamom pods

1 star anise

6 cups water

6 black tea bags or loose tea, enough for 6 cups of water. {Darjeeling is best, I used Peet’s Extra Fancy Kalimpong}

2 cups milk {soy, almond or regular milk}

1/2 cup light brown sugar or sugar in the raw

{photo via The Sweet Life}

Instructions:

Add spices to pot with 6 cups of water.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and add tea bags or loose tea; let steep for 5 minutes.  Add sugar and milk.  Strain and pour into teapot or pitcher for storage.  Serve hot or cold.  Enjoy!