Best Chai Tea
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Oct 1, 2025 
This homemade Best Chai Latte recipe is rich and simple, based on the authentic chai you find in India, with tons of spice and a creamy and sweet touch!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
What we in America think of as chai tea, or a chai tea latte, is a far cry from what is traditionally served in the rest of the world. An authentic Easy Chai Tea recipe is made with thick buffalo milk, considerably too much sugar, black tea, and cardamom pods.
Served in scant shot glasses from dawn until way past dusk, this beverage is EVERYWHERE you look in India. This homemade chai tea recipe is easy to make and tastes just like the chai you can get in India. You might not have these ingredients on hand normally, but they are worth getting for whenever you are craving a cup of hot chai!
Why You’ll Love This Chai Tea Recipe
- Make-ahead friendly – This make-ahead chai is great to keep on hand, too. You don’t have to buy the boxed stuff anymore!
- Bold Indian flavors – From cardamon to cinnamon, every sip of this rich chai tea is loaded with bold notes of Indian flavors.
- Cozy and comforting – This warm and spice-filled chai is the perfect comfort drink.
It’s been many years since I last visited India. Yet I’ll never forget sitting in open-air chai shops drinking creamy, ultra-sweet chai with friends.
Ingredients and Tips
- Water – The base of the recipe. Use plenty of water, then let it simmer down into strong condensed tea.
- Star anise – For bold licorice flavor that packs a punch.
- Cinnamon – Use whole sticks, so they can be easily removed.
- Green Cardamom pods – Green cardamoms are the best to use here
- Black tea bags – Or you can use loose-leaf black tea
- Half & half – Or whole milk.
- Sugar – To make it sweet, of course!
- Garnishes – I love to use garnishes like cinnamon sticks and whole cloves of star anise.
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Vanilla – Stir in a dash of vanilla extract for a boost of sweetness.
- Iced – Serve over ice with cold milk for a refreshing version of this chai tea.
- Vegan – Swap the half and half with oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk or almond milk.
- Sugar-free – Replace the sugar with honey, maple syrup or use alternative sweeteners such as coconut sugar or date sugar. I would not recommend sweetener products such as stevia that will drastically change the chai flavor profile.
- Extra spice – For a slightly stronger spiced flavor, gently crush the whole spices using a mortar and pestle!
How To Make Homemade Chai Tea
Find the full Best Chai Tea recipe with detailed instructions and storage tips in the printable form at the bottom of the post!
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Keep chai tea in an airtight container in the fridge, and leave the spices in the chai until ready to serve. The longer they sit in the tea, the bolder the flavor will be. You can refrigerate this chai for up to 10 days if you have any chai leftover!
Serving Suggestions
This delicious and rich chai tea pairs really well with my Easy Cinnamon Biscuits or these Walnut Cherry Scones for an afternoon treat.
You can also start the day with this chai tea, along with eggs, bacon and a side of my Roti recipe for an Indian inspired breakfast.
Best Chai Tea Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 whole star anise
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 4 cardamom pods, cracked
- 4-5 black tea bags, or 1/4 cup loose black tea
- 2 cups half & half, or whole milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Press the cardamom pods until they crack. Bring the water, tea, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom to a boil.
- Boil for 8-10 minutes, until the tea is black and has reduced to about 2 cups. Strain and add the sugar. Add the half & half and stir until hot.
- Place the used cardamom pods in the bottom of the cups for good friends.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, this recipe is actually masala chai. Masala means “spiced” chai which is black tea with whole spices that add extra flavor and make this tea very comforting. Some masala chai recipes include fresh ginger, so feel free to throw a little in!
Any black tea would work, but I recommend using something strong like darjeeling tea or assam tea!
Yes! The word “chai” means tea in many different languages, with origins in India. So when we say “chai tea” it is redundant, but that is how it has become known here in the US!
Yes! Each cup of this tea could have up to 25 mg of caffeine in it, similar to basic black tea caffeine count.
Chai isn’t meant to be low carb or low sugar. It is meant to be strong, sweet, silky, and packed with spice! If you want your chai recipe to taste authentic, use the half & half and plenty of sugar.
Sommer, Loved reading your rendition of over doses of Indian chai..
Chai is part and parcel of the basics of hospitality in India. When someone comes home, chai is always a saving grace when you have nothing else to offer in a jiffy..
VIP nut! Hah… so very true.. brought a familiar smile to my face :)
Ginger (fresh or dry) is a more common additive..
I love anything chai. Hope you’re well!
What a lovely chai tea. I can so see myself enjoying a cup of this with some biscotti. Thanks for sharing, Sommer. This is an interesting and informative post!
That is such a sweet tradition! And I just bought those same exact napkins from Pier 1! Love them…
Ha! Um… I just have ONE of a lot of napkins for photos. But I especially love this one. :)
This is now in my to do list. I love Oregon Chai Tea (hopefully I’m not offending any Indians). I love love cardamom, so I will have to try this.
Sounds great, I need to try cardamom. Can you believe I never had it? Not even sure what it tastes like. Love the recipe and your photo’s are gorgeous!
Oooh this looks amazing. I love chai tea but the thought of making a true authentic chai is awesome and I need to try this!
Loving this, Sommer! I guess I have probably never had authentic chai but I’m definitely trying this!!
One of my daughter’s friends had her over for a playdate when she was in preschool. Her Mom, from India, made me the most incredible cup of Chai I have ever tasted. I still long for a cup of it. Now I may be able to make it myself. Thanks!
I love chai. I always order it when I go to Indian restaurants because theirs tastes so much better. Now I know why!
Gorgeous photos and maybe an inspiration for me to try making chai tea. My daughter loves it and will sometimes bring some with her from Starbucks and I’ve not been a fan but then she makes it so sweet I would not be a fan if it were coffee!
We’re a bit later getting started than originally planned but I and two cohorts are doing an #IndianFoodPalooza starting Monday…please come and link up this beverage on my site then; it would be a fabulous addition. They are the experts but I’m excited about seeing everyone’s Indian dishes and trying out many things new to me.
I like your version! Nothing charges me better than a nice masala chai :)