Description
A cozy, homemade autumn morning drink made with fresh spices, pure maple syrup, and oat milk. This customizable chai latte is ready in 10 minutes and offers a richer, fresher flavor than store-bought versions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 black tea bags (Assam or Ceylon)
- 2 tablespoons whole spices (cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, black peppercorns) or chai masala
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup oat milk (or whole dairy milk)
- 2–3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or ground ginger)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon for topping
Instructions
- Toast the whole spices in a dry saucepan over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, shaking constantly to avoid burning.
- Pour in the water, add the tea bags, toasted spices, and fresh ginger. Bring to a gentle simmer and steep for 5 minutes to create a strong concentrate.
- Add the milk and heat over medium heat until steaming hot (around 160-170°F), stirring gently. Do not let the milk boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup and vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice level as desired.
- Strain the chai into a mug to remove tea bags and spice bits. Froth with a whisk or handheld frother if desired, and sprinkle with extra cinnamon or nutmeg before serving.
Notes
Toast spices to release essential oils for better flavor. Do not boil the milk to prevent scorching. For meal prep, make a concentrate with water, spices, and maple syrup up to 3 days in advance; add fresh milk when serving. Use Grade B maple syrup for a stronger autumn flavor.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug (approx. 12-16
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: chai latte, maple chai, fall drink, autumn recipe, homemade chai, oat milk latte, cozy drinks, morning ritual