Vegan Masala Chai Recipe: The South Asian Drink
Masala chai is the classic Pakistani/Indian hot brew, made with strong black tea and spices. Our do-it-yourself version is a vegan drink that you can make in just a few minutes. It’s sweet and milky and contains no added sugar. Piping hot and organically sweetened with a date, it’s cooked with a spice mixture that’s aromatic and not overbearing. Enjoy this delicious drink recipe.
Masala Chai Recipe
The main difference between ordinary chai and masala chai is the addition of spices. Desi homes refer to spices as masala, and chai means tea. Masala chai is not a new big thing in South Asian homes as it is widely used in the subcontinent.
Ingredients
- 3 green cardamoms seeds, crushed
- 2 cups oat milk unsweetened
- ½ cup of water
- 2 black tea bags
- 1 Medjool date pitted
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 4 peppercorns
- Ginger powder
Directions
- Grind cardamom seeds.
- In a medium pot, on medium/high heat, boil milk, water, tea, date, and spices.
- Boil for 5 minutes, strain, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use best-quality strong black tea for better taste.
- Try flavourful options to bring sweetness to your masala chai recipe: date, jaggery, maple syrup rather than sugar.
- Medjool dates are best for making the best masala chai.
- Choose creamier plant-based milk (oak milk, soy milk) to achieve a thick and luscious blend.
- Grind whole spices just a little to increase the spiciness of your masala chai.
- If you fancy a more powerful drink, boil for longer.