Chai Latte with Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
This comforting Chai Latte recipe blends black tea with warm spices and creamy milk, topped with a lightly spiced honey whipped cream. Perfect for a cozy treat, this homemade chai latte captures the rich, aromatic flavors of traditional Indian masala chai with a creamy twist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Mix
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- a pinch of ground black pepper
Chai Latte
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 black tea bag or 1 tsp black tea leaves
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp mixed chai spices (from above)
- 1/2 cup milk (or plant-based alternative)
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp mixed chai spices (reserved from above)
- 1 tsp honey
- a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper. Set aside 1/4 teaspoon of this spice blend for the whipped cream topping.
- Heat Water and Add Ingredients: In a saucepan over medium heat, mix the water, black tea leaves or tea bag, brown sugar, and the remaining spice mix. Heat until it just begins to simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and release flavors from the spices and tea.
- Brew the Chai Base: Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, stir in the milk, and let the mixture steep for about 5 minutes. This allows the tea and spices to infuse fully into the creamy base.
- Strain and Serve: Pour the chai through a fine mesh strainer into a mug to remove tea leaves and any residue from the spices. Keep the strained chai warm as you prepare the whipped cream.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a chilled mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, honey, and the reserved 1/4 teaspoon spice mix until soft peaks form. This can be done by hand or with an electric mixer for efficiency.
- Top and Garnish: Spoon or pipe the spiced whipped cream atop the hot chai latte. To finish, lightly sprinkle additional cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive, aromatic garnish.
Notes
- You can substitute plant-based milk like almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
- Adjust the brown sugar to your desired sweetness level or substitute with a sweetener of choice.
- Use fresh ground spices for more vibrant flavors.
- The whipped cream topping can be omitted or replaced with frothed milk for a lighter drink.
- The chai can be made ahead and reheated gently before serving, but freshly brewed is best.
Keywords: chai latte, masala chai, spiced tea, warm beverage, homemade chai, whipped cream topping, black tea latte
