• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Real + Vibrant logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Tips
  • Cookbook
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Tips
    • Cookbook
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Authentic Masala Chai

    Published: Mar 30, 2020 · Updated: Apr 7, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pin for masala chai recipe.

    Learn how to make masala chai in less than 15 minutes with this easy step-by-step recipe. This traditional Indian beverage is made with a mixture of black tea, milk, fresh ginger, and spices.

    Two cups of masala chai.

    What is masala chai?

    Masala chai is a tea beverage made by brewing black tea with a mixture of milk and Indian spices, such as fresh ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Originating in the Indian subcontinent, chai is traditionally served hot.

    How to make chai was the first thing my mom taught me in the kitchen when I was growing up. I loved watching the water simmer with spices and loose tea leaves before gently pouring the milk. And while I didn't ever drink chai myself, I loved watching my parents drink it.

    Ingredients for chai on marble platter.

    What you'll need

    Detailed ingredient measurements, instructions, and notes can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Here's a summary:

    • Black tea: You can use either tea bags or loose leaf tea.
    • Water
    • Milk: either regular dairy milk or a dairy-free alternative.
    • Spices: You'll need ginger, cardamom, fennel, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt.
    • Sweetener: I use cane sugar in this recipe but honey or maple syrup can be used.

    How to make authentic masala chai - step-by-step

    1. Boil water and spices: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine water and ginger, cardamom, fennel, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt. Bring the water to a gentle boil. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the water to infuse the flavors from the ingredients.

    Spices in pot of water.

    2. Add tea: Add the tea to the mixture and continue simmering the mixture for an additional 5 minutes.

    Hand pouring tea leaves into chai.

    3. Add milk and sweetener: Lower the heat to medium-low and add milk and sweetener. Simmer for 2-3 minutes more minutes and turn off the heat.

    Pot of chai after pouring milk.

    4. Strain and serve: Using a fine-mesh strainer, divide the chai into two cups. Serve immediately.

    Close-up of cup of chai.

    Top tips to making the best chai

    • Use fresh spices: The spices bring this beverage to life so it's key to be using spices you've purchased within the past year at most. Fresh is always better and will make the most flavorful result.
    • Use whole spices: Use whole spices instead of ground spices. And for added flavor, slightly crush them using a rolling pin before making chai.
    • Sweetener: Instead of using cane sugar, try using honey or maple syrup. While chai is traditionally pretty sweet, feel free to adjust accordingly or completely omit.
    • Milk: While masala chai has always been made using whole milk in India, you can use any dairy-free alternative. Oat milk and almond milk taste great!
    Two chais and the saucepan the chai was made in.

    More warming beverage recipes

    • London Fog
    • Turmeric Latte
    • Matcha Latte
    • Iced Vanilla Latte

    If you tried this masala chai or any other recipe, be sure to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more delicious recipes.

    Close-up of cup of chai.

    Authentic Masala Chai

    5 from 7 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep time: 3 minutes
    Cook time: 12 minutes
    Total time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 74kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    Learn how to make masala chai in less than 15 minutes with this easy step-by-step recipe. This traditional Indian beverage is made with a mixture of black tea, milk, fresh ginger, and spices.

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cup water
    • ½ inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced or grated, or ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, or ⅛ teaspoon fennel powder
    • 1 cinnamon stick, or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 4 cardamom pods, peeled open , or ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
    • 4 cloves, or ⅛ teaspoon ground clove
    • Pinch of ground black pepper
    • Pinch of sea salt
    • 2 teaspoons loose black tea, or 2 tea bags
    • ½ cup milk
    • 2 teaspoons cane sugar, to taste

    Instructions

    • Boil water and spices: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine water and ginger, cardamom, fennel, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt. Bring the water to a gentle boil. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the water to infuse the flavors from the ingredients.
    • Add tea: Add the tea to the mixture and continue simmering the mixture for an additional 5 minutes.
    • Add milk and sweetener: Lower the heat to medium-low and add milk and sweetener. Simmer for 2-3 minutes more minutes and turn off the heat.
    • Strain and serve: Using a fine-mesh strainer, divide the chai into two cups. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Use fresh spices: The spices bring this beverage to life so it’s key to be using spices you’ve purchased within the past year at most. Fresh is always better and will make the most flavorful result.
    • Use whole spices: Use whole spices instead of ground spices. And for added flavor, slightly crush them using a rolling pin before making chai.
    • Sweetener: Instead of using cane sugar, try using honey or maple syrup. While chai is traditionally pretty sweet, feel free to adjust accordingly or completely omit.
    • Milk: While masala chai has always been made using whole milk in India, you can use any dairy-free alternative. Oat milk and almond milk taste great!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 74kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 38mg, Potassium: 125mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 99IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 113mg, Iron: 1mg
    Course: Beverage
    Cuisine: Indian
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!
    « Coconut Chickpea Curry
    No Knead Dutch Oven Bread »
    8.0K shares
    • Yummly
    • Share
    • Tweet

    About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

    Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trish says

      October 31, 2021 at 7:05 am

      I add fresh lemongrass leaves too. It is definitely a game changer. I also crush my ginger or grate it instead of adding slices. My grandma used to say it releases more flavor when we crush it a bit. Occasionally especially when I am under the weather, my main spices are: mint, ginger, lemongrass, cardamom and cinnamon. It’s so comforting when you need that warmth even holding cup of hot tea and inhaling the aroma.

      Reply
    2. Amy Jones says

      January 03, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      I’m obsessed with this chai recipe. I’m never drinking coffee again.

      Is there a way to make a large batch of this and store it?5 stars

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sapana Chandra

    Hi, I'm Sapana! I’m a recipe developer and author of the cookbook Plant Power Bowls. Here you'll find simple, delicious, vegetarian recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about me

    As seen on

    Sites that Real + Vibrant has been featured on.

    Spring favorites

    • Mango Salsa
    • Grapefruit Margarita
    • Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Vegan Blueberry Scones

    Get your copy

    Cover for Plant Power Bowls Cookbook

    Popular recipes

    • Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
    • Coconut Chickpea Curry
    • Overnight Oats with Superfoods
    • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

    Footer

    Featured In

    As Featured On

    Information

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of Use
    • Affiliate Disclaimer

    About

    • About Sapana
    • Press
    • Cookbook
    • Work with Me

    Follow

    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Instagram
    • Facebook

    ©2022 Real + Vibrant • All Rights Reserved

    8.0K shares