Description
This Christmas Chai Latte is a cozy, spiced beverage perfect for holiday mornings or chilly evenings. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg, this chai latte combines black tea with a lightly sweetened milk base and is topped with a festive, spiced whipped cream to add a rich and creamy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chai Latte:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk (or a plant-based alternative)
- 1 black tea bag or 1 tsp black tea leaves
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 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
Whipped Cream Topping:
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp of the spice mix (reserved from above)
- 1 tsp honey (for sweetness in whipped cream)
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper. Reserve 1/4 teaspoon of this spice blend for the whipped cream topping and set it aside.
- Heat Water and Add Ingredients: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, black tea leaves or tea bag, brown sugar, and the remaining spice mix. Heat gently and stir occasionally until the mixture just starts to simmer.
- Brew the Chai Base: Reduce the heat to low, pour in the milk, and allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and develop a rich spiced chai.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the chai mixture into a mug using a fine mesh sieve or tea strainer to remove the tea leaves and any spice sediments. Keep the chai warm while preparing the whipped cream topping.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, honey, and the reserved 1/4 teaspoon of spice mix until soft peaks form. Use a hand whisk for several minutes or an electric mixer for quicker results.
- Top and Garnish: Spoon or pipe the spiced whipped cream over the chai latte. For an added festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cow’s milk with any plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or soy milk to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar according to your taste preference or substitute with honey or maple syrup.
- This chai latte is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day; reheat gently before serving.
- If you prefer a stronger tea flavor, increase the steeping time by a few minutes.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based milk and substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for the topping.
