Slightly Sweet Iced Chai

​MY OBSESSION FOR CHAI BEGAN LAST SUMMER WHEN I WANTED A DRINK FROM STARBUCKS BUT I WAS TRYING TO CUT DOWN ON COFFEE. I NEEDED A LITTLE AFTERNOON PICK-ME-UP WITHOUT THE RUSH!

SO I ORDERED THE SLIGHTLY SWEET ICED CHAI, A LESS SUGARY VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL. IN MY OPINION IT WAS STILL TOO SWEET (IN A FAKE SUGAR WAY?). BUT IT WAS USUALLY AN AFTERNOON TREAT SO I WENT WITH IT. SINCE LAST SUMMER STARBUCKS HASN'T BROUGHT THIS DRINK BACK ON THEIR MENU. CUE PANIC AND LONGING SEARCH FOR A SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE.

I DECIDED TO MAKE MY OWN VERSION AT HOME. THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT I CAME UP WITH AFTER SOME PINTEREST RESEARCH AND A FEW AT-HOME TASTE TESTS. IN MY OPINION STARBUCKS HAS NOTHING ON THIS ICED CHAI. 

MY SLIGHTLY SWEET ICED CHAI
>> BOIL 5 CUPS OF WATER IN A TEA KETTLE OR POT. THEN STEEP SIX BAGS OF TAZO CHAI (OR YOUR FAVORITE BRAND) AND 1/2 TEAS. OF CINNAMON FOR 10 MINUTES. (I ALWAYS TIE THE TEA BAGS TOGETHER SO I DON'T HAVE TO FISH THEM OUT ONE BY ONE).

>>MEANWHILE, FILL UP A PITCHER WITH ICE. ONCE THE TEA IS DONE STEEPING, POUR THE HOT TEA INTO THE PITCHER OF ICE.

>>PUT IN THE FRIDGE FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR. THIS WILL KEEP IN THE FRIDGE FOR A WEEK, USE THIS AS YOUR BASE FOR MAKING INDIVIDUAL DRINKS.

INDIVIDUAL SERVING:
-POUR DESIRED AMOUNT OF COOLED CHAI OVER ICE (1 CUP ISH)
-1/4 CUP MILK: I USE ALMOND OR OAT MILK TO GET THE CREAMY TEXTURE
-1/2 TEAS. MAPLE SYRUP OR AGAVE SYRUP 
-STIR, TOP WITH EXTRA CINNAMON & ENJOY! 

IF YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE THE FOAMY MILK PICTURED ABOVE, POUR THE MILK, CINNAMON, AND SWEETENER INTO A MILK FROTHER WITH A COLD SETTING. I USE THE NESPRESSO FROTHER BUT THERE ARE MANY REASONABLE ONES AVAILABLE.

I HOPE THIS ICED CHAI GETS YOU THROUGH YOUR AFTERNOON WITH A SMILE!