Masala Chai Concentrate

This make-ahead spiced tea concentrate allows you to enjoy hot or iced chai anytime.

A cookbook recipe exclusively for ATK Essential members from The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks

YIELD Makes about 4 cups concentrate

TIME 1 hour, plus 30 minutes cooling

Masala Chai Concentrate photo
The Complete Guide to Healthy DrinksA cookbook recipe exclusively for ATK Essential members from The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks

Why This Recipe Works

Gather Your Ingredients

Key Equipment

Key Equipment - The Best Fine-Mesh Strainers

Before You Begin

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A boldly flavored tea such as Assam is ideal for this recipe; alternatively, use Irish or English breakfast tea. If desired, crush the spices using a mortar and pestle.

Instructions

1.

Place cinnamon sticks and star anise on cutting board. Using back of heavy skillet, press down firmly until spices are coarsely crushed. Transfer to medium saucepan. Crush cardamom pods, cloves, and peppercorns and add to saucepan. Toast spices over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

2.

Add water, sugar, ginger, and salt and bring to boil. Cover saucepan, reduce heat, and simmer mixture for 10 minutes. Stir in tea, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let tea and spices steep for 10 minutes. Strain mixture through fine-mesh strainer. Let cool completely and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir before using.

3.

FOR HOT MASALA CHAI: Stir ½ cup concentrate and ½ cup milk together in saucepan and heat to desired temperature, or combine in mug and heat in microwave.

4.

FOR ICED MASALA CHAI: Pour ⅔ cup concentrate and ⅓ cup milk over ice in glass; stir to combine.

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