Chai Coffee Recipe
This Chai Coffee Recipe is a fusion of two beverages, combining the rich, bold flavors of coffee with the aromatic spices and warmth of chai. This unique concoction is made by infusing fresh hot coffee with a blend of chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger, to create a beautiful winter spiced coffee.
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We love warm, comforting drinks with flavor like this Golden Milk Latte and this Warm Maple Vanilla Almond Milk. Check out all of our Healthy Drink Recipes for inspiration.
Why YOU will love this recipe
- This spicy coffee is a welcome, healthier change from the usual pumpkin spice latte recipe with whipped cream and a ton of added sugar.
- You will love how simple it is to enjoy spiced coffee drinks that you make at home.
Ingredients
- spices – Traditional chai is a combination of cinnamon, cardamom pods, cloves, and ground ginger. You could also also add a pinch of black pepper, nutmeg, star anise, or fennel seeds.
- coffee beans – Use your favorite! We recommend Three Sisters from Kicking Horse because we love their ethical practices and clean coffee.
Equipment
- coffee maker – You can choose your brewing method. Options range between a drip coffee maker, a French press, or a pour-over coffee maker.
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.
Step 1
First, if you are using whole beans, grind them into coffee powder.
Step 2
Then, measure out the spice blend.
Add the spices to your ground coffee.
Step 3
Next, if you are using a French press, place the spices and the grounds together in the glass pitcher before pouring the boiling water over it.
Wait five minutes then lightly press down on the plunger.
If you are using a drip coffee maker, spoon the ground coffee and the spices into the coffee filter.
Brew the coffee as usual.
Step 4
Next, inhale deeply and fill your lungs with the aroma. In addition to being a delicious coffee, it smells beautiful as it brews as well.
Step 5
Finally, pour the coffee into mugs and enjoy.
Expert tip
Make your own homemade chai spice mix! You can double or triple the spices and create your own chai spice recipe to use not only in the coffee but for chai tea and for Fall baking.
Recipe variations
- Ditch the other spices and opt for a simple ginger coffee.
- This recipe tastes great as a cold brew! Top it with this Vanilla Cold Foam for a real fall treat.
- Blend the spiced coffee into Bulletproof Coffee and supercharge your day.
Serving suggestions
- This coffee black will taste wonderful but feel free to add cashew coffee creamer or hemp milk for a bit of added non-dairy creaminess too. You could also add frothed milk for a bit of a dirty chai latte vibe.
- Serve this as a Christmas-spiced coffee! It is perfect for making the season a little more special by adding aromatic spices to your Christmas morning cup of coffee.
- If you want to add sweetener, coconut sugar is our pick. It has a dark brown sugar flavor as street cafes serve. Or serve with a couple of squares of dark chocolate for some subtle sweetness.
- Top it with pumpkin spiced whipped cream for some extra delicious decadence.
- Garnish with an orange slice and zest.
FAQS
This all depends on the beans used. We use beans with caffeine but you can opt for decaffeinated beans instead. Kicking Horse has a decaf bean that is decaffeinated using a Swiss water process.
We would describe Chai coffee as having more of a warming flavor and not overly spicy-hot. You can also adjust the seasonings to your preference.
Storage tips
This coffee is best served right away but can be kept warm in a thermos or insulated mug for up to a few hours.
More warm drink recipes
**This recipe was originally posted on April 23, 2014, and updated on January 28, 2021, and again on September 12, 2023, with recipe notes, writing, and photos.**
If you’ve tried my Spiced Coffee, please rate this recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!
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Chai Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp coffee beans
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp ground cardamom *optional
Instructions
- Start by grinding the coffee beans and measuring out the spices.
- Next, mix them together well and place them into the coffee filter or French press.
- Add four cups of water (boiling water for the French press) and brew as usual.
- Enjoy warm.
Video
Notes
Storage tips
- This coffee is best served right away but can be kept warm in a thermos or insulated mug for up to a few hours.
If not grinding my own beans, would it still be 4tbs of ground coffee?
It depends how strong you like your coffee but the rule of thumb is 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee per cup.
This was so delicious and easy to make!
Ridiculously easy! So happy you enjoyed it. Thanks Bella 🙂
Spiced coffee is so delicious and I absolutely love your version! The cardamom just takes it to another level!
The cardamom makes it special 100%. Thanks Anjali 🙂
Sounds absolutely amazing and cant wait to try it!!
Oh yum! I love the addition of all those warming spices. Definitely the perfect start to a chilly day.
It is super warming 🙂
What a wonderful coffee blend! That spice blend makes it even cozier and so perfect for winter. I especially loved the cardamom.
The cardamom is definitely the luxury in this recipe. 🙂 Thanks, Amanda!
I inadvertently found your site and immediately signed up. I’ve been limited to one cuppa day and the only way I’ve found success is with a Keurig coffee maker. But I so miss grinding my beans every morning.
Like another of your commenters, I used to add cinnamon on occasion to the ground coffee before brewing. I love the sound of your recipe for Chai Coffee and think when I have my family/friends visit that would be a wonderful change. However, it’s been so many years that I’ve used a coffee maker I was wondering how much water do you use for the one cup of ground coffee? Also, would you recommend any particular brand of coffee bean?
Hey Mary Ellen! I’m with you on one cup a day, however the man of the house drinks unlimited amounts. Nice for him. 😉 We usually brew approximately 5 cups of water to about 1/4 cup of ground beans. I like to stick to the organic & fair trade coffees as the coffee bean is a heavily sprayed crop. We like Kicking Horse which is a local Canadian brand. Ethical Bean is another good brand and I know that one is available for a decent price at Costco. I hope that helps! Enjoy the rest of the week and the java. 🙂 Thanks Mary Ellen!
How much water are you adding to?
I usually make 4-6 cups
Tried it and yes! Really good!
Hooray! Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
Oh, this coffee sounds amazing! I love the smell of fresh ground beans. I too have tried many times to stop drinking coffee and have failed. I’m totally addicted to that caffeine. I do try to only have a cup, but lately I find I’m having a second a little later in the morning. It’s such a vicious cycle.
I’m glad I’m not alone! 🙂 I guess there are much worse addictions to have, right? Have a great weekend Cindy!
I have been grinding our own coffee beans for years. A couple years ago I started sprinkling cinnamon prior to brewing. I esp. love Penzeys or The Spice House Vietnamese cinnamon. I love that first cup of coffee in the morning. We limit ourselves to 1 gigantic cup of jo. I look forward to trying your Chai recipe. Sounds wonderful. I’m already looking forward to tomorrow morning!!!
Thanks so much Stephanie! I must agree that life is just that much better with a cup of java. 🙂 Thanks for the recommendations on cinnamon. I’ll have to check those brands out. I go through cinnamon like crazy! I hope you have a fabulous morning tomorrow with this Chai blend. 🙂