In a recent gift swap, I was wonderfully lucky to receive this container of deliciousness:
Despite my best attempts at rationing my Trader Joe’s Spicy Chai Latte, it’s almost gone, and Trader Joe’s isn’t coming to my town until late 2012. So what’s a girl to do? Well, make my own, of course. So I set off to research the magic formula that would emulate the Trader Joe’s concoction.
Was I successful? Not quite. I realized pretty quickly that the quality of ingredients was going to be my achilles heel in this endeavor. The recipe I was working from called for instant tea and powdered vanilla-flavored non-dairy creamer. On my first shopping trip, the only instant tea I could find was artificially lemon-flavored iced tea. Needless to say, it didn’t impart the richness that I was looking for. So I kept looking.
My search to find ingredients for homemade chai truly felt like an Odysseyan task. It involved several different stores, several different Wegmans’ locations, discussions with many “experts,” and much general mulling around.
Finally, one cold morning, I tasted my latest creation (I made over 5 attempts), and said to myself, “Mmmm. That’s really good.” That’s when I knew I had a winner.
Homemade Chai Latte
makes 6 oz, perfect for pouring into a Mason jar and giving away!
1/4 cup Indian Masala Black Chai Tea (I purchased this loose at Wegmans’ tea bar and had it ground in a coffee grinder, but this one from Amazon is a great choice)- 3/4 cup dry milk
- 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cardamom (for best results,purchase whole pods, shell, and pulverize in a blender or coffee grinder — or just get these)
Yum! And your packaging is so cute, too
Kudos to you for sticking to it and finding the right recipe — and for writing it down to remember (and share). I don’t think I would’ve remembered after all those attempts what I had actually done that made it so successful!
Thanks so much for linking up!
Love it! You sure are persistent! LOL I don’t think I’ve ever given anything more than 2 tries!
Thanks so much for linking up!
Thanks Heather and Alissa! I was really determined to find a recipe I liked and could recommend. I didn’t feel comfortable with all the artificial sweeteners/ingredients in the original recipe I tried.
Love the recipe. I gotta try this over the weekend.
And the packaging is so cute too!
No way. What an excellent holiday solution!
I would love for you to share this on my mommy solution meme!
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/11/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-17/
Wow. This. Is. Amazing.
Do you think it’s cheaper than buying the TJ mix?
It’s so weird – I am a TJ *fanatic* as well as an obsessive chai-drinker and I have NEVER tried their mix! Since I used to be a Sbux barista, I tend to buy their mix at Target, but I’m really interested in giving the TJ brand a try…. or make my own! I just love this idea!
You know, Rachel, I am not sure it’s cheaper than the TJ’s mix. It could be, depending on what kind of loose tea you buy. This Mason jar’s worth of Chai mix cost about $4-$5 to make. But it tastes amazing and has no preservatives or artificial anything!
I’m going to have to try this! I’m addicted to the Spiced Chai from Sam’s Club but it’s an hour’s drive each way and I don’t go often enough to keep stocked up. Thanks for the time you put into providing us with this option!
Just wondering……does this mixture need to go in one of those tea infuser things?? I get my loose tea from Teopia and I’m wondering if it would all sit at the bottom of the cup if it wasn’t strained?? Sounds yummy!
Sara
I don’t strain mine. I just mix it well in very hot, almost boiling water, and it’s ok.
Saving this for next year. What a terrific gift idea! I’m thinking packaged up with some homemade mini scones, they’ll be the perfect gift. Thanks for sharing.
Mini Scones. . .Yummm!!
This looks great! I would have never thought of grinding tea up to make it an instant tea. I love the idea of making my own chai mix. Thanks!
I’ve been looking for a good dry chai latte mix- so I will definitely try this out since fall is upon us soon. And I love that you put your dry mixes in mason jars- these would make great Christmas presents for my fellow chai drinkers at work. Thanks!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you like it! And yes, I gave those as gifts last year.