Chai Iced Tea

My friend featured a Drink Week over at her blog Hanging On By A Thread a few weeks ago. After I saw that she posted a recipe for one of my all-time favorite drinks (Chai Iced Tea), I just knew I had to make it! I never knew all the spices that Chai tea consisted of but it ended up being easy to make and tasted very similar to the one I usually pay $3 or $4 dollars for at Starbucks and Panera Bread!

A couple of the spices were a little foreign to me - star anise and cardamom pods in particular. Luckily K pointed out that these can both be found at Whole Foods in the bulk bin spice aisle so I had no problem finding them.

What a great treat this was to drink on a hot summer day!





Chai Iced Tea
Source: Hanging On By A Thread

1 star anise
14 cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
12 peppercorns
4 cardamom pods, opened (I think the cardamom seeds would work as well. Essentially you are opening the pods and putting the seeds in the spice mixture)
2 c. water
4 T. strong black tea
4 1/2 T. sweetened condensed milk

In a medium saucepan, add spices (NOT THE TEA) to two cups of water. Bring to a boil; remove from heat; let steep for 5-20 minutes depending on how strong a spice flavor you want.

Add the sweetened condensed milk to the water/spice mixture. Bring the milk and spice mixture just to a boil and removed from heat.

Add the tea to the milk and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes to taste.

Strain into a pitcher and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until cool. Serve over ice.