Chocolate Chai (Tea)

Chocolate chai (tea) is the perfect drink to cozy up to which a spicy flavor from chai spice and rich cocoa flavor.  Ready in a few minutes with black tea, a few spices, sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder.

So, what is chocolate chai?

Chocolate chai is a combination of masala chai and chocolate.  It is delicious black tea with wonderfully sweet chocolate chai balanced with beautiful spices and a rich cocoa taste.

A hot drink that is perfect to cozy up to on a cold day, during the holidays, winter, or any time for the chai lovers in your life.

The spicy flavor can be adjusted to your preference. You can also use a chai spice blend if you have it on hand.

I make this differently from Hot Chocolate Chai which is a little lighter on spice, heavier on chocolate, and a bit more decadent.

Chai means tea, so please don’t say chai tea! You’re saying tea tea then 😊

If you enjoy experimenting with chai, try out Rose Chai, Cookie Butter Chai or Christmas Morning Chai!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Delicious flavor profile | Chocolate flavor + Masala Chai, yum!

Simple ingredients |Use ingredients you likely have in the pantry.

Flexible recipe |Easy to tweak to your personal preferences.

Ingredient Notes

Black tea – You can use either loose black tea or tea bags.  I always use the Wagh Bakri brand for loose tea when making chai.  My family used to use Lipton tea bags before the switch over to loose tea. Indian black teas are easy to find online and in your local Indian grocery store.

Chai Masala Powder – You can either use the chai masala powder you regularly use or make your own fresh blend as I’ve outlined in the recipe card below.

I think certain spices such as cardamom, ginger, and a hint of cinnamon/clove pair beautifully with the

Unsweetened cocoa powder: you can substitute melted chocolate in its place.  I prefer using cocoa powder to control the amount of sweetness.  I also think cocoa powder provides a stronger chocolate flavor.

Sugar – I’ve used white sugar.  Feel free to use the sweetener of your choice. Brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and honey all work.  Just taste and adjust to your preference for sweetness.

Milk – I usually use 2% milk. You can also use whole milk for a creamier cup.  Feel free to substitute with plant-based milk for a vegan option.

Variations / Substitutions

Chocolate flavor:  Chocolate syrup, cocoa nibs, or melted chocolate chips

Mix up the spices used: Some ideas include green cardamom, Star anise, black pepper, fennel seeds, ground cinnamon

Feel free to use ginger root (fresh ginger), cardamom pods (crushed), whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

Cold chai: Let it cool and blend with ice for a rose chai frappe or mix with ice cubes for an iced version

Making it vegan: Substitute plant-based milk to make this recipe vegan.  I would go with oat milk or something like Ripple (available in the US) as they are thicker and will make a creamier chai.

Masala chai powder vs your spice blend: You can use either your own instant mix of masala chai powder or the spices as I’ve outlined in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chocolate Chai

To make chocolate chai:

• Place water, sugar, cardamom powder, ginger powder, and loose-leaf tea or tea bags in a pot on medium-high heat on the stove.
• Let it come to a simmer and rolling boil for about 3-4 minutes.

• Add milk and cocoa powder to the hot water. Let it come to a boil. Turn to medium heat.
• Let simmer for 5-6 minutes.

• Turn off the stove.
• Strain tea with a tea strainer and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Cookies: Pistachio Saffron Cookies, Coconut Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies or Masala Chai Cookies

Savory: Masala poori, Crackers

FAQs

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