Masala Chai

Name: Masala Chai
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American

Photo: Johnny Autry

August 24, 2022

An easy recipe for India’s favorite tea drink.

At Pondicheri, a modern Indian restaurant in Houston, masala chai is the most requested beverage among the restaurant’s regulars. Fortunately, for new book, Masala: Recipes from India, the Land of Spices, award-winning chef Anita Jaisinghani shares her recipe for the aromatic drink.

For a cozy winter version of the recipe, Jaisinghani recommends substituting rosemary sprigs for the mint to “help bring heat into our bodies.”

Ingredients

Yield:4

4 cups water
1 Tbsp. ginger purée
8 to 10 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1/2 tsp. black peppercorns, lightly crushed
1 cup whole milk
A few sprigs mint or basil
2 Tbsp. Assam tea leaves, or 4 black tea bags
honey for sweetening

Tools:saucepan, strainer

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, ginger purée, cardamom (seeds and pods), and black peppercorns and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes to infuse the water with the spices. Raise the heat to high and add the milk and mint sprigs. As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, add the tea leaves, making sure it doesn’t boil over. Immediately lower the heat and simmer for 20 to 30 seconds, then turn the heat off, cover, and let the tea steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Strain and enjoy with a generous dollop of honey stirred in.

Drunken Chai OptionAdd 2 oz. of rum and 2 Tbsp. of honey (or more to taste) to the chai and serve warm or chilled with ice.