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Masala Chai Iced Tea

A full masala chai — black tea simmered with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and fresh ginger — chilled and served over ice with a splash of milk. All the warmth and complexity of a hot chai, transformed into one of the most satisfying cold drinks imaginable.

25 min
Medium
Serves 4
Video preview
Masala Chai Iced Tea

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine the water, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to bloom the spices.

  2. 2

    Add the tea and simmer for another 3 minutes. Do not boil vigorously — a gentle simmer extracts the best flavour without bitterness.

  3. 3

    Add the milk and sugar. Stir and heat until just steaming — do not boil. Remove from heat.

  4. 4

    Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully cold.

  5. 5

    Serve over ice with a cinnamon stick garnish.

Pro tip

The spice blend here is a classic North Indian masala — feel free to adjust ratios to your taste. More cardamom gives a more floral, aromatic chai; more ginger gives more heat. For a dairy-free version, oat milk is the best substitute — its natural sweetness and body work beautifully. Star anise is a lovely addition if you enjoy its liquorice note.

#masala chai#chai#spiced#classic#indian#cardamom#cinnamon#bold
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