I've never been much of a fancy coffee drink type of person. I have always loved my plain old school coffee, with a big splash of half and half. Sure, I enjoy a Cinnamon Dolce Latte from time to time, but my main go-to is a simple cup of joe!
This last Christmas season, I had to make a gazillion teacher-type gifts for everyone that works with Brady. I put together a little gift basket with tons of things, including a Chai Tea Mix. I've always thought that I didn't like Chai Tea. Don't ask me why, but I had convinced myself at some point that it wasn't the drink for me.
When I made the gift baskets I had made a few more than I needed and lovingly doled them out to my friends. One of these said friends told me that it was really yummy and asked if I drink it often. Embarrassed, I admitted I never tasted it. It was this embarrassment that got me to make another Costco sized batch and try it. It was actually pretty yummy. It wasn't something I'd drink every day, but it was pretty good.
One morning, it struck me - why not put the Chai Mix in my coffee? Yes, brilliant! Put it in the coffee. Two separate drinks to drink? Ain't got time for that. Put them together! I know I haven't invented something new, but it was quite a revelation at 530 a.m.
So, I brew my normal cup of coffee and put three scoops of Chai Mix and a splash of half and half. And, I HAVE to admit...I honestly like it more than a Chai Latte from Starbucks. Really. I even have my hubby using it.
I did make one change from the original recipe - I accidentally bought two French Vanilla creamers, but it tasted so good that I stuck with it.
Two tips:
- I normally combine the sugar, tea, dry milk and spices together in my food processor to blend. I have found that it creates a smooth and finer blend this way.
- I attempted to throw all the ingredients together in my trusty Vitamix. Big mistake. It heated and clumped it together, resulting in about an inch of Chai solidified at the bottom. Major fail.
Without further adieu, here is the recipe for Chai Tea Mix:
Homemade Vanilla Chai Tea Mix - adapted from momadvice.com
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
2 cups French vanilla powdered non-dairy creamer
2 ½ cups white sugar
1 ½ cups unsweetened instant tea
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
¼ tsp white pepper
2 cups French vanilla powdered non-dairy creamer
2 ½ cups white sugar
1 ½ cups unsweetened instant tea
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
¼ tsp white pepper
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until it is a fine powder (If you have a small food processor, you can combine just the instant tea and spices in the food processor & then combine everything together in a bowl). Add two-three tablespoons of mix to 8 ounces of hot water or milk (or COFFEE).
http://momadvice.com/blog/2010/12/delicious-drink-mixes-creamy-hot-cocoa-or-vanilla-chai-tea-mix#aV5cX8zigmLW8JAV.99 
Yum, my kind of coffee drink. Have been drinking chai for years but just started with some coffee. (Well coffee with creamer, milk, ....) I will have to try this. I may have to try this with you sometime, you know quality control to make sure I make it correctly.
ReplyDelete