Homemade Chai Concentrate Recipe (2024)

Chai Concentrate is made with warm whole spices that are full of flavor. This homemade chai concentrate recipe is ready to make into beautiful cups of piquant chai whether you are craving a warm steamy latte or a tall glass with ice. With this recipe, you can create a fully customizable cup by opting to add sweetener and your choice of milk.

Homemade chai concentrate is the best hack to enjoying a no-fuss luxurious daily cup of chai without losing the quality or the flavor. This recipe is full of real spices simmered together and combined with black tea for the perfect blend of spicy and comforting flavor we’ve all come to love!

An easily customizable recipe, you can opt to add sweetener and your choice of milk, whether you are looking for creamy whole milk or plant-based milk.

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What is Chai Concentrate?

Chai concentrate is a strong mixture of black tea and spices. It is perfect to have on hand so that you can enjoy a homemade chai latte in minutes. This concentrate can be mixed with milk to make your favorite Starbucks drink! It is an extremely cost-effective and sustainable option. With perfect customization, you can tailor your drink to fit your personal tastes and any dietary needs.

Why You Will Love

• Perfectly delicious
• Simple for daily use.
• Healthful
• Customizable- Make it sweeter, make it spicier,
• Economical

Ingredients

• Vanilla – You can use vanilla extract, vanilla paste, or a vanilla bean pod that has been opened to release its flavors.
• Black Tea – A good strong black tea is perfect for this recipe. You can use loose tea or tea bags. For this recipe, I used Irish Breakfast Blend but you can use any type of black tea you like best.
• Water – It is important to use good water. Water is important for preparing tea, not only for its taste but also for how it contributes to the aroma.
• Brown Sugar – To sweeten chai, I think brown sugar is the best option. It brings all the flavor notes together in one harmonious drink. Brown sugar is homey and rustic, with sweet tastes of molasses, and caramel. You can leave this ingredient out of the concentrate so you can have the option of making sweet or unsweetened chai drinks.

Spices

• Cardamom – A beautiful warm spice with hints of citrus and mint. Cardamom pods are light green. I purchased mine at a local Indian market and the quality is excellent.
• Star Anise – Star anise is probably the most beautiful spice. It looks quite like a star. Its smell and taste are similar to licorice.
• Cinnamon Sticks – Cinnamon is one of the most well know and beloved spices. Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree. Cinnamon sticks are perfect in this recipe as they give so much flavor. Ground cinnamon is an acceptable substitute, but the results will be much spicier and harder to strain.
• Cloves – Clove spice is actually the flowers from the clove tree that are harvested and dried. Their flavor is intense with sweet and woody tones.
• Coriander – Coriander isthe seed of the plant. It has a bright taste that hints at woodsy and citrusy flavors.
• Peppercorn – Black peppercorns are perfect for this recipe! I love the bold flavors that come from the whole peppercorns. It is simple to purchase at almost any supermarket.

How to Make Chai Tea Concentrate Recipe

Kitchen Tools

• Stainless Steel Pot with Lid
• Mortar and Pestle

Ingredients

• Cardamom
• Star Anise
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Cloves
• Coriander
• Peppercorn
• Brown Sugar (optional)
• Vanilla
• Black Tea
• Water

Step by Step Instructions

1. In a mortar, add your spices. Using the pestle gently start to crush the spices just enough to break them open and make releasing their flavor easier.
2. Add water, spices, and vanilla to a large pot.
3. Bring up to a boil and then allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Your liquid will turn a beautiful amber color.
4. Turn off the heat and add tea.
5. Steep for 5 minutes.
6. Strain out spices and tea.
7. Stir in brown sugar and if using.
8. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
9. To use, add equal parts of concentrate and milk to the glass. This concentrate can be heated for a warm drink or served cold over ice.

Recipe Notes

• This recipe calls for all whole spices. Besides having a more intense flavor, they are easier to use and strain.
• If you like a spicier tea, consider adding more spices such as an extra cinnamon stick, or a dash of nutmeg.
• Ground cinnamon can be substituted for cinnamon sticks but will result in a spicer flavor. It is also important to note that straining out ground cinnamon is very difficult.
• For the best results, use whole spices!
• Use any type of black tea.
• Sweeten your concentrate or leave it unsweetened.
• I recommend brown sugar for chai, but maple syrup and honey are also good options!
• For a caffeine-free chai concentrate, substitute black tea with rooibos tea.

Dietary Considerations and Customization

• You can customize this chai concentrate by adding brown sugar directly to the recipe or you can leave it unsweetened. I typically don’t add any sweetener to my recipe so I can matcha chai lattes later if I want.
• Without any sugar added this recipe is totally sugar-free.
• You can further customize by adding more or fewer spices to your taste preference.
• To use this chai concentrate you can make paleo, whole30, keto, and more chai lattes.
• This chai concentrate can be used to make hot chai lattes or iced chai lattes.

How to Use Chai Concentrate to Make Chai Lattes

This concentrate can be used to make your favorite chai drink! Whether you are craving a hot chai latte or an iced chai, this concentrate is the perfect shortcut, without any compromise of quality or flavor!

Hot Chai Latte

Add equal parts of chai concentrate and milk to a small saucepan and heat to a simmer. Tea lattes are best at 150°F.

Iced Chai Latte

Start by filling up your glass halfway with ice.

Add equal parts of chai concentrate and milk. Stir and enjoy.

Chai Concentrate Storage

Store your chai concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This concentrate will last up to 1 week if stored properly. However, if it develops an off color or smell, discard it immediately.

Health Benefits

Did you know chai is full of healthful benefits? From possibly aiding in weight loss, and managing pain from menstrual cramps to immune support and protecting against disease chai can support your health and boost your day. Read for more chai tea benefits!

Chai concentrate contains caffeine.

More Chai Recipes

• Chai Latte
• Iced Chai Tea Latte
• Vanilla Chai Latte
• Pumpkin Spice Latte

I hope you enjoy this chai concentrate recipe. I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and if you try this recipe, please come back and leave a 5-star review!

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