Spiced Tea Latte (Printable version)
A cozy blend of bold spices infused in milk for a warming tea latte experience.
# What You'll Need:
→ Tea & Spices
01 - 2 cups water
02 - 2 black tea bags or 2 teaspoons loose black tea
03 - 1 cinnamon stick
04 - 4 whole cloves
05 - 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
06 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
07 - 2 black peppercorns
08 - 1 star anise (optional)
→ Dairy & Sweetener
09 - 1 cup whole milk or plant-based milk
10 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, to taste
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Combine water, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, ginger, peppercorns, and optional star anise in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
02 - Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to release the spices' flavors.
03 - Add the tea bags or loose tea in an infuser and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Pour in the milk and gently heat until steaming without boiling.
05 - Remove from heat, discard tea bags, strain out spices, then stir in honey or maple syrup and vanilla extract.
06 - Pour the latte into mugs and serve hot.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It tastes like a café-quality drink but costs a fraction of the price and takes barely longer than boiling water.
- The combination of warm spices creates this natural calm that makes you feel like you're doing something nurturing for yourself, even on the busiest mornings.
- You can make it vegan, dairy-free, or adjust the spices to match whatever you have in your cupboard without losing that cozy, aromatic magic.
02 -
- Don't skip crushing the cardamom pods; whole uncrushed pods release their flavor too slowly, and you'll end up with a disappointing, flat-tasting latte.
- The milk must be added after the spices have steeped, not before, because spices need hot water to fully release their flavor; adding milk too early creates a muted version of what this drink can be.
03 -
- The difference between good and extraordinary is in the quality of your whole spices; buy from places with high turnover so your cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon are genuinely fresh and fragrant.
- If your latte tastes flat or one-dimensional, you've likely overheated the milk or underinfused the spices; go back to the basics and give each step its full time and attention.