Very Vanilla Chai

Let's be clear: Vanilla is not a traditional masala chai spice. However, it is dang good in a chai latte.

Vanilla lends a nostalgic, familiar flavor to an otherwise bold, exotic tea, and it rounds out some of the sharper notes you can find in chai. It bridges the gap between Indian masala chai and American latte culture. In a way, it reinvents chai.

This tea latte recipe features a pared down selection of spices with a heavy emphasis on vanilla. It's easy to make at home and it's every bit as enjoyable as a coffee shop version.

See Also

How to Make Dirty Chai Lattes

Apple-Chai Martini Recipe

Best Chai Recipes

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk or milk substitute
• 2 cups water
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 crushed pieces allspice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla bean, split and seeded, or 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. sugar or honey
• 2 tbsp. loose-leaf black tea leaves (preferably Assam tea)
• (optional) cinnamon powder to taste

• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes

• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: two large chai lattes

Preparation

1. Put everything but the tealeaves and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or double boiler.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer ten minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the tea and sugar / honey. Stir well, then simmer for five more minutes.
4. Strain out the spices and tea.
5. Using an electric frother or an espresso machine steam wand, froth the chai.
6. Serve in two mugs. (Optional: Sprinkle with cinnamon powder.)