A warm, spiced chai with cardamom, cinnamon, and creamy milk for chilly days.
# Components:
→ Spiced Tea Concentrate
01 - 2 cups water
02 - 2 black tea bags, preferably Assam or Darjeeling
03 - 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
04 - 1 cinnamon stick
05 - 4 whole cloves
06 - 4 black peppercorns
07 - 1 inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
08 - 2 tablespoons honey or sugar, adjusted to taste
→ Milk
09 - 1.5 cups whole milk or plant-based milk alternative
# Directions:
01 - In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
02 - Add cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, and ginger. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
03 - Add tea bags and simmer for an additional 3 minutes.
04 - Remove from heat, strain the concentrate into a heatproof pitcher, and discard solids. Stir in honey or sugar until dissolved.
05 - In a separate saucepan, heat milk until steaming without boiling. Optional: Froth milk using a whisk or milk frother for enhanced texture.
06 - Divide the spiced tea concentrate between two mugs and top each with hot milk. Stir gently.
07 - Garnish with a pinch of ground cinnamon or cardamom if desired. Serve immediately.