Rooibos Chai
Warm up your senses with the comforting aroma of Rooibos Chai, a caffeine-free twist on the classic spiced tea blend. This rich and soothing beverage combines naturally sweet rooibos tea leaves with a medley of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, star anise, and a touch of fresh ginger, creating a delightful balance of bold and earthy flavors. Simmered with creamy milk—dairy or plant-based—and lightly sweetened with honey or maple syrup, this chai is the perfect drink to brighten chilly mornings or cozy up on quiet evenings. With a quick prep time of just 5 minutes and ready in under 20, this recipe is easy to make and serves up to 4, making it ideal for sharing or savoring solo. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a café-style presentation that’s as inviting as it is flavorful.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Rooibos tea leaves
- 1 piece Cinnamon stick
- 5 pods Cardamom pods
- 4 pieces Cloves
- 1 piece Star anise
- 1 inch, sliced Fresh ginger
- 6 pieces Black peppercorns
- 4 cups Water
- 1 cup Milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 2 tablespoons Honey or maple syrup
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, sliced ginger, and black peppercorns.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes to release the flavors from the spices.
Add the rooibos tea leaves to the pan and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Stir in the milk and simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes, ensuring the milk heats through without boiling over.
Strain the chai through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a teapot or serving pitcher, discarding the solids.
Sweeten the chai with honey or maple syrup to taste, stirring until fully dissolved.
Pour into mugs and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick for presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
316 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.2 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.3 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 164 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 61.0 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.1 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 46.7 g | ||
| Protein | 10.1 g | 20% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 493 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 3.6 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 636 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
