Homemade Iced Chai Foam (Printable Version)

A refreshing spiced chai with creamy cold foam, ideal for warm days and casual café vibes.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Chai Concentrate

01 - 16 fl oz water
02 - 2 black tea bags
03 - 1 cinnamon stick
04 - 4 whole cloves
05 - 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
06 - 4 black peppercorns
07 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
08 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

→ Cold Foam

09 - 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
10 - 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ To Serve

12 - Ice cubes
13 - Ground cinnamon, for dusting (optional)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Bring 16 fl oz water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add tea bags, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, and sliced ginger. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
02 - Remove from heat, discard tea bags, and steep spices for an additional 5 minutes. Strain the liquid into a pitcher and stir in honey or maple syrup while warm. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
03 - Whip cold heavy cream, sugar (or honey), and vanilla extract in a bowl or with a milk frother until thick and foamy but not stiff.
04 - Fill two tall glasses with ice cubes. Pour chilled chai concentrate over ice to fill each glass about two-thirds full.
05 - Spoon cold foam over the chai and optionally dust with ground cinnamon. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It transforms basic tea bags into something that tastes like you have a secret spice arsenal
  • The cold foam makes every sip feel like a coffee shop drink without leaving your house
02 -
  • The chai concentrate keeps in the fridge for four days so you can batch it like I do every Sunday
  • Whipping the foam right before serving is nonnegotiable because it loses its texture within minutes
03 -
  • Crush cardamom pods just enough to split them open but not enough to turn them into powder
  • Chill your glasses in the freezer for ten minutes before assembling for maximum refreshment
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