Chai Tea Cold Brew
If you love chai but want something cool and refreshing, this Chai Tea Cold Brew is about to be your new favorite drink.
It’s smooth, a little spicy, slightly sweet, and ridiculously easy to make. Just steep, strain, and sip!
Great for busy mornings, a pick-me-up in the afternoon, or a cozy treat on a hot day. Plus, you can customize it exactly how you like—stronger, sweeter, milkier, or dairy-free.
Let’s get brewing!
Ingredients
- ◯ Four cups of water
- ◯ 4 chai tea bags (or 2 tbsp loose-leaf chai)
- ◯ 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional)
- ◯ ½ cup milk of choice (dairy, almond, oat, etc.)
- ◯ Frozen
- ◯ Optional: cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish
- ◯ Ice
Tools
- A medium-sized saucepan or a jar that won’t break when heated
- Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Large pitcher or mason jar
- Stirring spoon
- Cups for measuring
Instructions
- Heat the Water
Bring 4 cups of water to a gentle simmer (not boiling) in a medium saucepan. - Steep the Tea
Turn off the heat. Add 4 chai tea bags (or 2 tbsp loose-leaf chai). Cover and let steep for 10–15 minutes. - Strain & Sweeten
Remove tea bags (or strain out loose leaves). Stir in 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey while warm. Let cool to room temp. - Let the tea cool down
Pour the strained tea into a large pitcher or jar and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until cold. - Put on ice
Fill a glass with ice, pour in the chilled chai tea, and top with ½ cup milk of choice and cinnamon sprinkle. Mix it up and enjoy!
Tips & Suggestions
- Use good-quality chai. The better the tea, the richer the flavor. Try loose-leaf if you want extra boldness!
- Sweeten while warm. Add honey or maple syrup while the tea is still warm so that it mixes in well.
- Make a big batch! It stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days, so you always have some ready to go.
- Customize your milk. Coconut milk adds a touch of sweetness, and oat milk makes it extra creamy.
- Stronger chai? Let it steep longer or add an extra tea bag.
Substitutions
- No maple syrup? Use honey, agave, or brown sugar.
- No dairy? Try almond, oat, or coconut milk.
- Want it stronger? Use more tea bags or steep longer.
- Make it spicy! Add a pinch of ground ginger, cardamom, or black pepper.
Storage & Serving
- Make the chai ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to four days.
- Sweeten it before chilling so the sugar dissolves properly.
- Mix in the milk just before serving to keep it fresh.
- You can keep brewed chai (without milk) in the fridge for up to four days.
- Once you add milk, drink it within 24 hours.
- Keep it in a sealed container to prevent it from absorbing fridge odors.
This Chai Tea Cold Brew is the perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and refreshing. Give it a try, mix and match flavors, and make it your own! Let me know in the comments how it turned out, and feel free to ask any questions. Enjoy! ☕✨