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Chai-Spiced Mocktail Recipe

Chai-Spiced Mocktail Recipe

Learn how to make this homemade chai-spiced mocktail that's perfect for cozy evenings. This easy alcohol-free recipe combines aromatic spices, creamy milk and subtle sweetness for the best non-alcoholic warm drink alternative that rivals any coffee shop creation. A sophisticated virgin cocktail that's comforting yet impressive.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
2 mocktails
A tall glass showcasing beautiful gradient layers of deep amber chai concentrate at the bottom transitioning to creamy beige foam on top, captured in bright natural daylight. Close-up details reveal tiny specks of cinnamon and star anise floating throughout, while steam gently rises from the warm surface. The glass sits on a wooden tray alongside scattered whole spices—cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and cloves—creating visual context for the flavors within. A twisted orange peel garnish rests on the rim, with condensation beginning to form on the outside of the glass, suggesting the perfect temperature contrast.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">400ml milk (dairy or plant-based alternative)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 cardamom pods, slightly crushed</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 cinnamon sticks</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 cloves</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 star anise</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 teabags black tea (or 2 teaspoons loose-leaf)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">20ml honey or maple syrup</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">5ml vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Orange peel twists, for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Ground cinnamon, for dusting</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:
🔥 Calories:
🥑 Fat:
🧈 Saturated Fat:
🍞 Carbohydrates:
🍭 Sugar:
🍗 Protein:
🫀 Cholesterol:
🧂 Sodium:

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Small saucepan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Fine mesh strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Milk frother or small whisk</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Heat-resistant serving glasses</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Add the milk to a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Immediately add the cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Warming the spices gently in the milk from the start will infuse their essential oils more effectively than adding them to hot liquid.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Bring the mixture slowly to a gentle simmer—you'll see tiny bubbles forming around the edges of the pan. Be careful not to let it boil, as this can make the milk separate and develop an unpleasant skin. Maintain this temperature for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add the tea bags or loose tea (in a tea infuser) and continue to simmer for another 3 minutes. This timing extracts the tea flavor without releasing too much tannin, which would make your mocktail bitter.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a measuring jug or bowl. Press gently on the tea and spices to extract maximum flavor. The liquid should be richly colored and aromatic.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Stir in the honey or maple syrup and vanilla extract while the liquid is still warm, allowing them to fully dissolve and integrate. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Use a milk frother or small whisk to create some froth on the surface of the mixture. This creates a beautiful textural contrast and makes the presentation more elegant. If you don't have these tools, you can vigorously whisk by hand or pulse briefly in a blender.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Pour into heat-resistant glasses, allowing the foam to settle on top. The mocktail should have a beautiful gradient effect from dark at the bottom to light and foamy at the top.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Garnish each glass with a light dusting of ground cinnamon, a fresh grating of nutmeg, and a twisted orange peel. The citrus oils from the peel will release aromatic compounds that complement the spices beautifully.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Serve immediately while warm. For a delightful temperature contrast, you can serve these in pre-chilled glasses (just make sure they're tempered glass that can handle the temperature change) with a cinnamon stick as a stirrer.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Chai-Spiced Mocktail Recipe?

This warming mocktail combines milk (dairy or plant-based), aromatic spices (cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise), black tea, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and orange peel for garnishing. The spice blend creates the signature chai flavour profile.

How to make Chai-Spiced Mocktail Recipe at home?

Learn how to make Chai-Spiced Mocktail at home by gently warming milk with whole spices, infusing with black tea, straining, sweetening with honey or maple syrup, adding vanilla, creating a frothy top layer, and garnishing with cinnamon, nutmeg and orange peel. The layered preparation creates beautiful amber-to-cream gradient effects in just 10 minutes.

Can I make this chai mocktail dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute dairy milk with oat, almond, soy or coconut milk. Oat and coconut milk work particularly well as they provide creaminess. Soy milk froths nicely for that layered effect, while almond milk offers a lighter option. Each alternative adds its own subtle flavour complement.

Why is my homemade chai not as flavourful as café versions?

Café-quality chai requires warming spices gently to release oils properly, using whole spices rather than ground, steeping for the full recommended time, and adding sufficient sweetener. For extra richness, try adding a pinch of black pepper or ginger to enhance the aromatic complexity.

What's the best way to create that beautiful layered effect in spiced drinks?

For perfect chai layers, use a milk frother or small whisk to create a rich foam, pour the liquid carefully into the glass first, then spoon the foam on top. A slow pour against the back of a spoon helps control the flow and maintain distinct layers between the spiced liquid and creamy top.

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My new afternoon ritual!", "name": "Better Than Café Quality", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ], "url": "https://www.whatsbaking.co/mocktails/chai-spiced-mocktail-recipe" }
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