Description
A warming homemade chai tea inspired by Dr. Sanjay Gupta — made with fresh ginger, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, and black tea. A healthy, delicious swap for your morning coffee.
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp loose black tea or 2 tea bags
1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
1 cinnamon stick
4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
4–5 whole black peppercorns, cracked
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 star anise (optional)
Instructions
1. Dry toast cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorns, and star anise in a dry saucepan over medium heat for 60 seconds.
2. Add 2 cups cold water, grated ginger, and turmeric. Bring to a boil, then simmer 5 minutes.
3. Add black tea and simmer 2 more minutes. Remove tea.
4. Add milk and heat on medium for 3 minutes, stirring. Do not boil.
5. Strain into mugs. Add honey after pouring. Serve hot.
Notes
Use oat milk for a dairy-free version.
Make the spiced water base ahead and refrigerate up to 4 days.
For a caffeine-free version, substitute rooibos tea.
Add honey after straining — not during cooking — to preserve its flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 12mg