Chai Tea Mix Recipe

I gave this recipe 5 stars but I would make a slight change. I did add all the extra spices and cut the sugar to 1-1/2c. I felt the Cardamon was overpowering. Next time I will only use half the suggesteed amount. It is an expensive spice, but try looking in the "International" aisle of your grocery store. I have found that the hispanic section has a nice selection of spices at half the cost. I would also advise using a coffee grinder. You can only grind a half cup at a time, but it's faster than the food processor. Thanks for sharing the recipe, it's a keeper!

I made several batches of this recipe to enjoy over the holidays and to give as gifts. I've made it before and thought it turned out well, but I made 2 changes this year that were more in keeping with the recipe and were well worth the time and effort. As several readers suggested, I included cardamom. Previously I didn't add it because 1) I wasn't familiar with it, 2) couldn't find it in the supermarket and 3)when I did find it the price was $51/pound. I only needed 1 teaspoon per "batch", so I went to our local Earth Fare and was able to purchase it in as small a quantity as I needed because they have bulk spices in jars and small plastic bags to self-serve fill as needed. I paid $1.07 for a couple of teaspoons. Quite a great deal! The second thing I did was to use my food processor to make a smoother mix which prevents the spices from gathering at the bottom of the mug in crunchy pieces. Makes for a much smoother drink.

I made the mix without the instant tea powder (Lipton discontinued the unsweetened black tea powder). I instead made four cups of black tea using four cups of boiling water and four black tea bags, steeped for five mins. I placed this in a clean jar.I used 2 cups Splenda, and 3 Tbs pumpkin pie spice + 1 tsp cardamom (not in the pp spice). I also replaced the French vanilla powder w/ vanilla extract mixed with the Splenda and dried. To make the tea, I heated up one cup of black tea, stirred in 2 Tbs chai powder, strained into a mug. This takes care of spices that tended not to dissolve. I then add a splash of liquid creamer to cool it down and make it even richer. Definitely a keeper, with changes noted above. Edit: I have boxes and boxes of chai spice tea bags. Instead of plain black tea, I’m using the chai tea bags. Extra spices, extra flavor, no extra work.

You really need to use Lipton Unsweetened Tea granules and not other brands. I believe you can only find Lipton's for a decent price during the summer and that it will come back on the shelves then. It's seasonal to make iced tea! I purchased 2 other brands of unsweetened tea powder from Amazon and they were awful tasting. I also use Nido whole milk instead of nonfat and powdered sugar instead of granulated. It dissolves instantly. For those who don't like the spice granules in the last dregs, try running them in a coffee grinder for a bit before adding them to the other ingredients. I have made this same recipe for the past few years in several organizations and people keep begging for the recipe! It's a keeper! For those who can't find the Lipton Tea powder, just make up a batch of this and leave out the tea powder. Make a cup of hot black tea (Lipton teabags) and use a few heaping teaspoons full of the omitted tea Chai mix to flavor it. It tastes great. You can also use the omitted tea mix to flavor your coffee. Y um!

This is my favorite hot drink. I do use vanilla extract mixed in with the sugar. Then I spread it out on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven on convection for about 20 minutes at 200 degrees. This just quickens the drying and prep time. I also add about 1/2 tsp of nutmeg. For a real extra treat, I use steamed milk! Yum. So much better than what I can find at a barista.

This is my go to Chai Tea recipe... absolutely love it and so does everyone I've given it to. I've seen some remarks that it doesn't dissolve so I'm wondering if they are putting the powder in a blender and making a fine powder. My only ingredient switch is that I use Splenda instead of sugar. Love Love Love this recipe!!

I reduced the sugar to 1 1/2 cups, omitted the vanilla creamer, added an extra tsp of ginger and the spices in notes (except for pepper). It was good enough to quell my need to buy the expensive powdered mixes. Next time I would definitely add the white pepper and maybe a little more ginger or cardamom because I like my chai spicier. This really is a good base recipe to play with and customize to your tastes, I'd start by making a quarter batch to get your proportions adjusted to taste. Good as is, but I would maybe use hot milk the next time. This may be due to leaving out the vanilla creamer. Expect a little bit of spice sludge at the bottom of your cup, but not much (just don't drink the last swallow). Really that part depends on the quality of your blender, I think.

My husband loves chai and this is his favorite. I have made this several times. The only changes I make are I only use half the sugar. And I substitute 1/2 tsp of nutmeg and 1/2 tsp cinnamon for the cardamom. I use Vietnamese cinnamon as it is intensely rich. Love this recipe. It also makes great gifts!

Made it last night — gone in minutes.

REALLY love this recipe- did make a change- used 2 cups dry milk and 2 cups Vanilla Sugar instead of creamers and sugar. As suggested by others reviewers, I leave out the instant tea and brew a cup of strong tea to pour over the mix- even better, heat up some coconut milk and brew the tea bag in it. YUM! Think I'll go make another now... P.S. you do really need to finely grind everything together. 2 heaping tsp. to 10oz of tea/milk brew.

I have been using this recipe for about 2-3 years and love it. But, now that we cannot get original instant tea I am going through withdrawal. I love my chai. I bought tea powder but can't figure out how much to use because it seems very concentrated compared to Lipton instant tea. Anyone know? How are you making your Chai now?

Nice on a cold Michigan night. Loved everything about it.

This is really good. I added one tablespoon of each spice and only used 2 cups of sugar. Would make again.

I left out cloves/allergy issues I left out instant tea as I just add a black or green tea bag and add 2TBLS of this mix to make it a latte. I also only used 1 cup of creamer powder and 1 cup of sugar. Well basically made the recipe in half I would say. I stored in a large mason Jar. Thanks

Used the tip for adding the vanilla extract to the sugar, put all ingredients in the blender to get them fine and the taste is FANTASTIC.

I used 1/2 less sugar. When making it again I might reduce the cardomon or ginger. Too early to tell

Most of those spices are not water salable. The flavor is amazing, but your last few sips are filled with clumps of spice that didn’t dissolve into the water. I’ve tried modifying the recipe to fix this, tried boiling, staining, etc but there was always some “grit” left in those last few sips. I’m very curious if anyone was able to find a way to fully dissolve their spices.

I made a chaga chai with this recipe and it came out awesome!

I am by no means a chai snob. I am Indian, and love chai any which way I get it. Based on the reviews, I was hoping to love this chai and make a few bottles to give as Christmas gifts. I made the recipe exactly as described and it’s absolutely awful. I really don’t know what I did wrong. It doesn’t taste like chai… it doesn’t taste like a nice-tasting drink regardless of what it’s called. Very disappointing.

I took your recipe and I just brewed a whole batch with it, and it came out perfect!! Thank you so much.