This grab-and-go almond milk latte is SO simple and is made up of ingredients from your spice drawer - cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom.
For years, I had a very routine “breakfast” that I would pick up on my way to work: a double tall soy latte at 110 degrees. (I know, I was one of those coffee-orderers). These days, I’ve swapped my beverage breakfast for a real one, my expensive coffee for tea, and my soy milk for almond milk.
Although I now work from home, I still love to get a quick start in the morning. Which is why I’m so excited about this recipe – this latte is SO simple and is made up of ingredients from my spice drawer which makes me wonder how I ever got into the $5-a-day coffee habit to begin with.
If you’ve read this blog for long, you know that Almond Breeze is my go-to almond milk. (We’ve been drinking it for years, long before we were taking pictures of it). This year we’re partnering with them on a series of “Grab & Go” posts. I know so many of you are always looking for recipes to take to work so each month we’re going to feature a simple no-fuss recipe for those of you on the, well, go.
Obviously, you could just buy chai tea in a package, but I think there’s a special flavor that comes from using the whole spices. Plus, this way you can customize your beverage to use your favorites. I used a mix of cinnamon, star anise, cardamom and a knob of fresh ginger. (All spices that are somewhat large because I didn’t want to have to strain it). Let it steep with a plain black tea packet, steaming hot almond milk and there you have it – a simple yet sort of fancy desk drink.
Almond Milk Chai Latte
- 1 black tea bag
- 2 whole star anise pods
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 dried cardamom pods
- 11oz. container of Orignal Almond Breeze
- optional: ½ inch knob of fresh ginger
- optional: sweetener (maple, honey, stevia, etc) to taste
- Place 1 black tea bag and a few whole spices into a mug.
- In a separate mug, heat the almond milk in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Pour steaming almond milk into spiced-tea mug and steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and let the spices steep for 5 more minutes. (The longer they steep, the more flavorful your drink will be). Taste and add sweetener if you like. Scoop out the spices (or just drink around them).
another note: skip the honey if you are vegan
This recipe makes me smile. Star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and almonds are all my favorite ingredients!! And the way your photographed the ingredients is so elegant. Love your style =)
Juju Sprinkles
http://www.jujusprinkles.com
I’m currently trying to make the switch from coffee in the morning to tea only – this definitely sounds like a good way to do it, plus, I love that it is dairy-free! As always, beautiful, beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing!
I love the little boxes of Almond Breeze! I like to keep them at the office so I can make my own chai tea latte in the afternoon 🙂 I can’t wait to try this one!
Your photos are beautiful! I love them! And those tea! Just gorgeous!
You’re photo’s are really gorgeous. I love looking at them. The whole feel is clean and elegant.
thank you!
Yum- I LOVE chai lattes but can’t stand tea-bag style ones- no flavor! Whenever I want some I always need to go out to get it. Thanks for sharing this simple, straightforward recipe!
-Kelsey
This looks wonderful! I’ve yet to make a chai latte with almond milk, and can’t wait to try your version! 🙂
I make this on cold winter mornings, though my cup never looks as beautiful as yours! Sometimes I add a few cloves in for some extra spice, but I’ve never tried peppercorn. Definitely will give that a go!Thank you! Have a great day!
I love chai. So yummy! Those star anise look really pretty too!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Absolutely cannot wait to try this! Thanks for sharing 🙂
http://Www.thatscoralynn.com
YUMYUMYUM! Saving this for the fall!
those little stars are the cutest 🙂
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Wow! This is so simple! Chai tea lattes are my go to order at any café. But if I can make these at home and use my almond milk, that makes life so much easier 🙂
I’m guessing coconut milk would be ok to use too?
Leslie
http://www.alifewellconsumed.com
Sounds great!
I have a suggestion. You can dry roast the spices for some 30 seconds to 1 minute without making them black and then grind them to a fine powder. You can use only 1/2 – 1 tsp of that powder for one cup of tea. It will give a more strong flavor and you will also use less of your spices. It is very popular in India and we call it Masala Chai i.e. Spiced tea. 🙂
Yum! I have always wanted to make this, and now I have the recipe! Thank you. I have guests coming over from the UK- I think they will enjoy it as their morning cuppa.
I was also wondering if you could reuse the spices. Found you via Foodie Crush. Love your pics~art!
Hi Sonja, thanks! (& welcome!). See reply above…
Are you able to store the used spices and reuse them? If so, how do you store them and for how long? Love this idea!
I wouldn’t from day to day (they’re kind of all soggy once you’re done), but I’ve left them in throughout the day as I refilled my cup. Also, be sure to get yours in the bulk spice section where they’re really affordable.
Beautiful morning ritual drink idea! Sounds like the perfect way to start my morning!
You have such a gorgeous blog. I love the lightness of the images. The recipe for chai latte is so appealing, both in the visuals and the flavour profile, I think I’ll try it. Thank you for posting.