Iced Maple Chai

Name: Iced Maple Chai
Ingredients: For the chai concentrate:; 400 ml water; 4 black tea bags; 1 cinnamon stick; 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed; 3 whole cloves; 1 thin slice fresh ginger; To finish:; 2 tbsp pure maple syrup; 250 ml milk or lactose-free milk; ice cubes; pinch cinnamon; optional: 1 tsp vanilla

Two tall glasses of iced maple chai with milk swirled through, beside cinnamon and star anise.

15 minutes, plus chilling · Serves 2

a cool drink with the first warm notes of autumn

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Ingredients

For the chai concentrate:
400 ml water
4 black tea bags
1 cinnamon stick
4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
3 whole cloves
1 thin slice fresh ginger
To finish:
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
250 ml milk or lactose-free milk
ice cubes
pinch cinnamon
optional: 1 tsp vanilla

Method

Place the water, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat, add the tea bags and steep for 4 minutes. Discard the tea bags and spices.
Stir the maple syrup into the warm concentrate. Leave to cool, then chill for at least 30 minutes.
Fill two glasses generously with ice. Divide the chai concentrate between them.
Top with cold milk and stir gently. Finish with a pinch of cinnamon and serve immediately.

Essy note: Make the concentrate the evening before for an effortless morning. For a lighter drink, use extra ice and a splash of sparkling water.