These Tasty and Unexpected Chai-Infused Drinks Have Just the Right Amount of Spice
Here at Sweety High, we are very serious about chai.
That includes everything from the Starbucks-style chai lattes to which we've all become accustomed to the classic authentic cups you can order at Indian restaurants and everything in between—including new and unique twists on the bold tea. As it turns out, that timeliness combination of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper and cloves with Assam black tea is more versatile than you might think.
Lately, we've loved using a little chai concentrate to spice up all kinds of tasty beverages. Whether you want to use a premade concentrate (we love DONA's Masala Chai Concentrate in particular) or make your own by boiling eight cups of water, adding about 15 tea bags or about 30 grams of loose leaf tea and allowing it steep for about five minutes (with or without sugar) before cooling and refrigerating, you're just a minute away from a super tasty and easy chai-infused drink at home. Here are a few of our very favorites:
Dirty Chai
There's a good reason dirty chai is a classic. Whether you decide to make yours the old school way, with a one-to-one mix of milk and concentrate with an espresso shot thrown in, or mix your coffee your favorite way and add a healthy splash of chai concentrate to it, the result is something that's a potent pick-me-up with just the right amount of spice. You can even add chocolate to transform it into a dirty chai mocha.
(via Shutterstock)
Chai Hot Cocoa
Speaking of chocolate, you can enjoy a hot cup of cocoa with a hint of tasty spice by mixing your own chai hot cocoa. All you need is a tablespoon and a half of cocoa powder, five ounces of chai concentrate and five ounces of your favorite milk or water, and you can whip up the most delicious and truly unique hot chocolate you've ever had.
Chai Chocolate Milk
Or, for an even simpler take on chai-and-chocolate that can be enjoyed any time, fill half of your glass with chocolate milk before topping it off with your chai concentrate for a strong, yet still deliciously chocolatey, beverage that will remind you of being a kid. Feel free to play with the ratio to get this one exactly to your tastes.
(via Shutterstock)
Chai-chata
If you're not familiar with horchata, it's a plant-based drink that comes in many forms throughout Spain and Latin America, but the form we're most familiar with is the Mexican variety, made with rice and flavored with cinnamon. While you can make your own authentic horchata at home, many stores these days carry it in cartons—making it super simple to add to its delicious sweet cinnamon flavor with additional spices by mixing it with equal parts chai concentrate. The result is something creamy, sweet and every more tempting than a classic chai latte.
Chai Nog
The holidays may be over, but if you can get your hands on some egg nog (or even make your own) you'll find that the festive beverage is even better with spicy chai mixed in. This combination may sound strange—especially for those who haven't even tried egg nog—but just try a sip, and you may find that you've become a convert.
(via Shutterstock)
Spiced Chai Cider
Chai doesn't just enhance milky drinks, but also fruity ones! There are few things we love better than a spiced apple cider, and using chai concentrate may be one of the easiest, tastiest ways to mix it up yourself at home. Add one part chai concentrate to four parts fresh apple cider to make the flavor magic happen. And better yet, this one can be served either hot or cold!
Can't get enough of all kinds of tea? Click HERE to find out why DONA's concentrates and loose leaf teas are worth all the hype.