Christmas Chai Latte – A Festive Warmth in Every Sip Recipe

Introduction

Warm up your holiday season with this cozy Christmas Chai Latte, a festive drink bursting with fragrant spices and creamy sweetness. It’s the perfect balance of bold tea and comforting flavors to enjoy by the fire or share with loved ones.

Ingredients

• 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
• For the whipped cream:
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp of the spice mix (from above)
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the spice mix by combining cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside 1/4 teaspoon of this mix for the whipped cream.
2. Step 2: In a saucepan, combine the water, black tea leaves or tea bag, brown sugar, and the remaining spice mix. Heat gently over medium heat until it just starts to simmer, stirring occasionally.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low, stir in the milk, and let the mixture steep for 5 minutes to develop the flavors.
4. Step 4: Strain the chai into a mug to remove the tea leaves and spice sediment. Set aside while preparing the whipped cream.
5. Step 5: In a mixing bowl, whisk the heavy cream, honey, and reserved spice mix until soft peaks form. Use a hand whisk or electric mixer for faster results.
6. Step 6: Top the chai latte with the spiced whipped cream. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg on top before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use your favorite plant-based milk like almond or oat for a dairy-free version.
• Adjust the brown sugar to taste or substitute with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
• For a stronger chai flavor, add an extra tea bag or steep the tea leaves a bit longer.
• Garnish with a cinnamon stick or star anise for a charming presentation.

Storage

Store any leftover chai base separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove before adding fresh milk and whipped cream. The spiced whipped cream is best made fresh, but can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for about a day and re-whisked before use.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this chai latte iced?

Yes, allow the chai base to cool completely, then pour over ice and top with chilled spiced whipped cream for a refreshing twist.

What if I don’t have all the spices?

You can simplify the spice mix to just cinnamon and ginger if needed; it will still deliver a warm, cozy flavor.

Christmas Chai Latte – A Festive Warmth in Every Sip Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 139 reviews

This Christmas Chai Latte is a cozy, festive beverage infused with warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and a pinch of black pepper. It combines robust black tea with a creamy milk base and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, topped with spiced whipped cream for a rich, aromatic holiday treat perfect for sipping by the fire on cold winter days.

• Author: Anna
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 serving 1x
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Indian-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp of the spice mix (from the above spices)
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper. Set aside 1/4 teaspoon of this mixture to use later for the whipped cream.
2. Heat Water and Add Ingredients: In a saucepan, pour in the water and add the black tea leaves (or tea bag), brown sugar, and the remaining spice mix. Heat gently over medium heat until the mixture just starts to simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and release the spices’ aroma.
3. Brew the Chai Base: Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, stir in the milk, then allow the chai to steep for 5 minutes to blend the flavors and warm the milk without boiling.
4. Strain and Serve: Using a fine strainer, strain the chai into a mug to remove tea leaves and spice sediments. Keep warm while preparing the whipped cream.
5. Make the Whipped Cream: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, honey, and reserved 1/4 teaspoon spice mix until soft peaks form. This can be done by hand or with an electric mixer for faster results.
6. Top and Garnish: Spoon or pipe the spiced whipped cream over the chai latte. For added festive decoration, lightly sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg on top before serving.

Notes

• Adjust the brown sugar quantity to control sweetness according to your taste.
• For a vegan version, substitute milk with almond, oat, or soy milk and use a plant-based whipped topping instead of heavy cream.
• The spice mix can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container for future use.
• Ensure not to boil the milk to maintain a creamy texture and prevent curdling.
• Use fresh ground spices for best aroma and flavor.

Keywords: Christmas chai latte, spiced tea, holiday drinks, chai recipe, warm beverages, festive drinks