Go Back
simple winter caramel chai recipe homemade comfort tea

A simple Winter Guide to make Caramel chai at home

Lakshman Rao Sarnala
A cozy and somewhat sweet take on traditional chai, caramel chai is a warm winter drink blended with milk, black tea, and rich caramel flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
2 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Bevarages, Tea Recipe, Winter Drink
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

For Caramel Chai (2 cups):

  • 2 cups water
  • 1½ cups cups milk (full cream preferred for richness)
  • 2 tsp black tea leaves (strong tea works best)
  • 2 tbsp sugar (for caramelizing)
  • 1 tbsp extra sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 1 small piece of ginger (crushed, optional)
  • 2 green cardamom pods (crushed)
  • 1 small cinnamon stick (optional)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel

  • Add two teaspoons of sugar to a heavy-bottom pan. Without adding any water, heat it over a low flame. Let the sugar dissolve gradually. Just lightly swirl the pan instead of stirring constantly. When the sugar melts, it turns golden brown. Because burnt caramel tastes harsh, take care not to burn it.

Step 2: Add Water Carefully

  • Add the water gradually when the sugar turns yellow. The caramel may sputter, so exercise caution. Gently stir until the caramel is fully dissolved in the water.

Step 3: Add Spices

  • To the caramel water, add cinnamon, cardamom, and crushed ginger. For the flavors to really infuse, let it boil for one to two minutes.

Step 4: Add Tea Leaves

  • Add black tea leaves to the mixture and boil for 2 minutes on medium flame. This helps release the strong tea flavor that balances the sweetness of caramel.

Step 5: Add Milk

  • After adding the milk, simmer the tea for an additional three to four minutes. To prevent milk from sticking to the bottom, stir from time to time.

Step 6: Adjust Sweetness

  • Sample the tea. Add more sugar if necessary. Keep in mind that caramel already adds sweetness, so be cautious.

Step 7: Strain and Serve

  • After turning off the heat, pour the caramel chai into cups. Enjoy its deep winter warmth when served hot.

Notes

  • Sugar should always be caramelized at low heat to prevent burning.
  • The best flavor and texture come from full-cream milk.
  • If you would rather have a simple caramel tea, you can omit the spices.
  • To avoid bitterness, don't overboil after adding milk.
Keyword caramel chai recipe, caramel milk tea, homemade caramel tea, winter chai recipe