
Masala Chai
Black tea boiled with cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and pepper, then mellowed with warm milk and sugar. India's spiced daily ritual, fragrant and warming.
Medium
Difficulty
10 min
Time
120 Cal
Calories
1
Serving
Flavor profile
Non-alcoholic
Taste values from the Pocket Bartender recipe catalog.
Ingredients
- Cardamom· not in your bar3-4 crushed
Or swap: Cinnamon — warmer, less floral
- Black Pepper· not in your bar1-2 whole
- Sugar· not in your bar to taste
Or swap: Honey — floral sweetness, Simple Syrup — dissolves instantly
- Black Tea· not in your bar3-4 tsp
Or swap: Oolong Tea — smoother, toastier
- Water· not in your bar2 cups
- Ginger· not in your bar1 chunk dried
Or swap: Ginger Syrup — adds sweetness too
- Cloves· not in your bar3
Or swap: Allspice — similar warm spice
- Cinnamon· not in your bar1 piece
Or swap: Allspice — similar warm spice
- Milk· not in your barto taste
Or swap: Half-and-Half — richer, Plant-Based Milk — dairy-free swap
Instructions
Bring 2 cups of water to boil.
Add all the ingredients and boil again for about 15 seconds.
Let stand for a minute.
Warm milk in a pot.
Filter tea into cups.
Add milk and sugar.
That's IT.
Pairs well with
Spiced milky chai is India's teatime anchor — serve it with proper chai-time snacks:
- Vegetable samosas
- Parle-G style biscuits
- Onion bhaji
- Cardamom rusk toast




