Christmas Chai Latte Recipe
This Christmas Chai Latte recipe is a warm, spiced beverage perfect for the holiday season. Infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, this creamy chai is sweetened with brown sugar and topped with a lightly spiced whipped cream for a festive and comforting drink.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Spice Mix
- 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
Chai Latte
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp black tea leaves (or 2 black tea bags)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups milk (or a plant-based alternative)
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp of the spice mix (prepared above)
- 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 in the whipped cream and reserve the rest for brewing the chai.
- Brew the Chai Base: In a saucepan over medium heat, mix the water, black tea leaves, brown sugar, and the reserved spice mix. Heat gently until it just begins to simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Then reduce the heat to low and stir in the milk. Let the mixture steep for 5 minutes to fully infuse the flavors.
- Strain the Chai: Pour the chai through a fine sieve or strainer into mugs to remove the tea leaves and any sediment from the spices. Keep the strained chai warm while preparing the topping.
- Make the Spiced Whipped Cream: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, honey, and the reserved 1/4 teaspoon spice mix until soft peaks form. You may use a hand whisk or an electric mixer for faster results. The whipped cream should be light, fluffy, and lightly spiced.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon or pipe the spiced whipped cream over the warm chai latte in each mug. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top. Serve immediately and enjoy your cozy holiday drink.
Notes
- Adjust brown sugar quantity according to your preferred sweetness level.
- You can substitute the milk with any plant-based milk like almond, oat, or soy milk for a vegan or lactose-free version (note that whipped cream will need to be dairy-free if you want it fully vegan).
- For stronger spice flavor, increase the amount of the spice mix slightly when brewing.
- Use fresh, high-quality black tea for the best flavor.
- The whipped cream is optional but highly recommended for a creamy, festive finish.
Keywords: Christmas chai latte, holiday chai, spiced chai, festive drink, chai latte recipe, winter beverage