‘Tis the season for holiday lattes with extra whip and creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows piled to the moon. Whatever your drink of choice, almost everyone wants to be sipping on something hot during this…dare I say it? Polar Vortex! I’ve been opting for a healthier option that still embodies all the creaminess and spice of my favorite holiday drinks-Golden Milk Chai.
This Golden Milk Chai takes all the flavors I typically love in my homemade chai, but adds an unexpected ingredient that gives it a golden hue and earthy flavor-turmeric. Although turmeric is mostly popular for being a key ingredient in South-Asian cuisine, it has long been known for it’s health benefits as an antioxidant and powerful anti-inflammatory. So you not only get to enjoy these warm and spicy flavors when you make Golden Milk Chai, but you can feel good knowing it’s good for you too!
In this recipe, I used both the turmeric root and powder, but you can use whatever you can find. Just remember that turmeric stains everything, so be careful when you’re handling it. I also used whole milk, but you can adjust and use whatever type of milk/alternative milk you prefer (coconut milk works great with these flavors). You can also choose to enjoy this unsweetened or sweeten it however you’d like-cane sugar, coconut/date sugar, or honey work great. However you choose to make your Golden Milk Chai, I’m sure you’re going to be making a lot to keep you warm and toasty through this winter!
Check out the recipe below!
Golden Milk Chai
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Yields: 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 2 inches of fresh turmeric root, sliced
- 3-5 star anise
- 1 tsp cloves
- 8-10 cardamom pods
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/2 tsp peppercorns
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbs loose black tea
- 1 cup milk
- preferred sweetener, optional
Instructions:
In a medium sauce pan over low heat, lightly warm all of the spices until you can start smelling them-less than a minute. Add the water, raise the heat to high until the mixture comes to a boil. When it comes to a boil, reduce and allow it to simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Add the loose black tea and milk and allow all the ingredients to simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Ladle the mixture over a mesh strainer into a tea pot for easier pouring. Sweeten to your liking. Serve hot and enjoy!
Abeer Najjar 