Spicy Masala Chai To Kick Off The New Year! January Tea of the Month

In the winter we can sometimes feel sluggish as the days are dark and the weather is dank. But a nice cup of spicy masala chai can perk you right up so you are ready to take on the day and the year ahead!

Here is one of my favorite recipes for Masala Chai! It’s borrowed from Lotus instructor Nehal Munshi, who has generously brought me homemade chai throughout our time together at Lotus, and it is always delicious, and a wonderful way to connect and catch up with dear friends. Hope you enjoy it!

Prepare the Chai Masala Mix by grinding the following ingredients to a fine grind using a coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle and set aside.

Chai Masala Mix:

  • 4 TBSP Black pepper

  • 4 TBSP Ginger powder 

  • 1 TBSP Cinnamon

  • 2 TBSP Cardamom

  • Pinch of Nutmeg

Next, we combine

  • 1/4 TSP the Chai Masala Mix

  • 1 cup of water

  • 1/3 thumb fresh mashed ginger (mash with mortar and pestle)

  • 1 TSP of the Loose Leaf Black tea of your choice

  • 1-2 TSP of sweetener of choice (honey, sugar, agave) to taste.

  • Options to add clove or cinnamon bark for added flavor. Yum!

Boil this mixture over medium heat until water changes color. Then add in 1 Cup of milk of choice (I like oat milk because if it’s thickness) and boil again.

Let the mixture settle, strain out loose leaf tea, cloves etc as you pour into your favorite mug. Enjoy warm!

Cheers!

Lauren Farenga-Kosmidis