Warm spices, hot milk, and a sweet hint of vanilla make this Spiced Christmas Chai Latte a cozy drink for chilly mornings or festive evenings. It smells like cinnamon and cardamom, tastes warm and slightly sweet, and has a smooth, creamy texture. Try it with a plate of cookies or holiday treats like spiced gingerbread truffles for a perfect pairing.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 2
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
- Calories per serving: 140 kcal (approximate)
- Protein: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fat: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
Why Make This Spiced Christmas Chai Latte
This chai latte brings classic warming spices—cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and fresh ginger—into a creamy cup. It fills the kitchen with a festive aroma. The drink balances sweet and spicy notes. It’s quick to make and easy to adjust for taste or diet. Serve it for holiday guests, quiet mornings, or after-dinner comfort.
How to Make Spiced Christmas Chai Latte
You’ll simmer whole spices in water, steep tea with sweetener, strain, then add warm milk and vanilla. The method extracts deep spice flavors without bitterness. Follow the short steps below and taste as you go.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk (or plant-based milk)
- 2-3 black tea bags
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar (to taste)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4-5 whole cloves
- 4-5 green cardamom pods
- 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of nutmeg
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Gather spices, tea, and milk. Lightly crush the cardamom pods with the back of a spoon to release flavor. Slice the ginger thinly. This helps the spices bloom.
Step 2: Mixing
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, crushed cardamom pods, and sliced ginger. Reduce heat and let the spices simmer. The water will smell fragrant and warming.
Step 3: Cooking
After simmering for about 5 minutes, add the tea bags and 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar to the saucepan. Let the tea and sweetener steep together for another 5 minutes. Keep the liquid just under a boil to avoid bitterness.
Step 4: Finishing
Remove the tea bags. Strain the spiced tea into a clean pot to remove whole spices. Add 1 cup milk (or plant-based milk) and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Warm gently over low heat until hot but not boiling. Pour into cups and sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg on top before serving.
How to Serve Spiced Christmas Chai Latte
Serve hot in warmed mugs. Garnish with an extra cinnamon stick or a thin orange peel for bright aroma. Pair with cookies, scones, or small desserts. For a brunch setting, place on a tray with small milk pitchers and extra sweetener so guests can customize.
How to Store Spiced Christmas Chai Latte
- Refrigerate leftover chai in a sealed container for up to 48 hours.
- To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring to combine.
- If spices remain in the drink, strain before storing to prevent over-extraction and bitterness.
Expert Tips for Perfect Spiced Christmas Chai Latte
- Crush cardamom pods lightly to release oils. Don’t over-crush seeds or drink will taste bitter.
- Use whole spices for fresher, brighter flavor than pre-mixed powders.
- Heat milk slowly. High heat can scald milk and change the texture.
- Taste before serving. Adjust sweetness or add a drop more vanilla for softness.
- For a frothy top, whisk vigorously or use a milk frother after warming.
Delicious Variations
- Gingerbread Chai: Add a pinch of ground ginger and molasses for a gingerbread twist.
- Vegan: Use almond, oat, or soy milk and maple syrup instead of honey.
- Dirty Chai: Stir in a shot of espresso for a coffee kick.
- Iced Chai Latte: Chill the spiced tea, pour over ice, and add cold milk for a refreshing version.
- Spiced Orange Chai: Add a strip of orange zest while simmering for a citrus note.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use loose-leaf tea instead of tea bags?
A: Yes. Use about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of loose black tea per tea bag. Place the loose tea in a fine mesh infuser or strain well after steeping.
Q: How can I make this recipe caffeine-free?
A: Substitute caffeine-free rooibos or an herbal black tea alternative. The spices still shine with no caffeine.
Q: Can I make the spice base ahead of time?
A: Yes. Simmer spices in water and store the strained spiced tea in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Add tea bags, sweetener, and milk when ready to serve for peak freshness.
Q: What milk is best for froth and creaminess?
A: Whole dairy milk froths well and tastes rich. For plant-based options, oat milk gives the creamiest texture and foams nicely.
Q: Why did my chai taste bitter?
A: Over-boiling the tea or steeping too long can cause bitterness. Keep the mixture below a rolling boil and steep tea for the suggested time. Use fresh spices and avoid crushing seeds too finely.
Q: Can I reduce sugar without losing flavor?
A: Yes. Reduce the honey or sugar to taste and rely on the natural spice intensity. You can also add a splash more vanilla to enhance perceived sweetness.
Conclusion
This Spiced Christmas Chai Latte is simple, cozy, and full of holiday spice. It’s perfect for sharing or enjoying alone when you need a warm, fragrant treat. If you want a gingerbread-style chai to try next, check out this cozy recipe: Cozy Spiced Gingerbread Chai Latte Recipe | Good Life Eats®. Give it a try today — the kitchen will smell wonderful and your guests will ask for seconds.
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Spiced Christmas Chai Latte
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Warm spices, hot milk, and a sweet hint of vanilla make this Spiced Christmas Chai Latte a cozy drink for chilly mornings or festive evenings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk (or plant-based milk)
- 2–3 black tea bags
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar (to taste)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4–5 whole cloves
- 4–5 green cardamom pods
- 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Gather spices, tea, and milk. Lightly crush the cardamom pods with the back of a spoon to release flavor. Slice the ginger thinly.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, crushed cardamom pods, and sliced ginger. Reduce heat and let the spices simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add the tea bags and 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar to the saucepan. Let steep together for another 5 minutes.
- Remove tea bags. Strain the spiced tea into a clean pot to remove whole spices. Add 1 cup milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Warm gently over low heat until hot but not boiling. Pour into cups and sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg on top before serving.
Notes
Serve hot in warmed mugs and can be customized with extra sweetener or orange peel for aroma.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
