5-Minute Caffeine-Free Chai Mix

I followed the recipe and the mix is just too spicy for me. I have been using only 1 tsp of mix to 1 cup of oat milk + 1 tbsp maple syrup. It’s still too much. I am enjoying it, but will probably scale back the pepper and ginger next time. Thanks, Dana!

It is delicious. Almond milk. No caffeine. Tea doesn’t separate from the milk. Lots of spice. And now I can play around and add more of x and y. Love this.

Finally chai that tastes as good or better than starbucks. Id lost hope since none of the loose leaf blends or boxed stuff came close.

I made a couple adjustments (still playing around to get it just right for my taste): used half the pepper, added 1 tsp allspice and an extra tsp of both cardamom and ginger. Potent, love it! I also added 2x maple syrup so it was a bit sweeter and did 1/3 cup of extra strong assam black tea to 1 cup soy chai milk. I shook the soy milk, spices and tea up in a jar and then heated it slowly on the oven. Delish!!

I just tried this. It is delicious! I am thrilled to be able to have tasty chai with breakfast that does not contain tea since I avoid tea during meals, reserving it for in between meals since tea reduces calcium absorption.

Love this! I’ve been sometimes substituting my second cup of coffee with the caffeine free version and sometimes making it with a little coffee in it. It’s a spicier version than I’ve tried in the past and I love that. Thank you!!

This was seriously delicious. I went through the mix in a week it was so good. I added a bit of maple syrup to sweeten each cup up. Thank you!

Why has it taken so long for me to make this? Oh my gosh this is so good. I love it super spicy. I don’t drink caffeine but having a warm drink ritual every morning keeps me sane. This will definitely be on regular rotation, and its great I can now have an evening warm drink ritual too because hot chocolate keeps me up at night hah.

I just made this today, it’s cold and snowy and it looked so comforting. I added the spice mix to my coffee with a splash of cashew milk, it was delicious. Looking forward to making it as your recipe suggested. Thank you for another great recipe.

Really good! I used the amount of pepper for the “regular” version and it was a tad too spicy for me, but otherwise super tasty and I love that it’s “healthier” than say the sugary versions from Starbucks. Careful with the vitamix/blender–give that it’s all liquid mine exploded out a bit!

I loved this but it is a bit too spicy and to me I think it’s the ginger and/or the cardamom. I had never bought cardamom before…expensive! And i really didn’t care for the smell of it. I only used a T of pepper but I believe it’s either the strength of the ginger or the cardamom. I will make it again and reduce those two and probably add more nutmeg, which I love. So easy and so comforting. What a great morning, or any time, beverage! Thank you!

I love your blog. I was looking for vegan baking recipes and found many of your recipes sointeresting. I’m planning to try the apple carrot cake for a get together. .
As I found your chai spice recipe interesting wanted to share some native thoughts.
Chai in hindi is tea in english. It’s apparently the tea leaf, which is plucked, dried and used to make tea or chai. Spices of different kinds are added to give it additional flavor. Like cardamom or elaichi chai is super famous on the streets of India. Likewise other flavors.
There is no chai without tea leaf. If made with just the spice, it is used for.medicinal purposes during cold cough and also at times given during pregnancy. Eg a blend of pepper, cloves and ginger with jaggery is super for digestion and is taken to combat cold likewise milk with turmeric is taken for sure throat … but these are concoctions and not chai….
Your blend is all inclusive and great. I am eager to try it. Next time they with jaggery…u will find jaggery in any indian store. Its brown in color n far more healthier than sugar.

I made this by putting a tsp of the spice mix in a teabag and steeping it in a saucepan of milk & water. Success! Just a bit of the spice escaped through the top of the bag, which was perfect, and bringing it to a nice simmer gave it a beautiful colour and flavour. Just a tip for anyone who doesn’t want to blender it or have spices settle at the bottom!

Wasn’t too sure what I’d think so made half the amount in the recipe but I actually really enjoyed this! I made it with unsweetened unroasted almond milk and just put it all in the microwave to heat up.
Had to grind up the cloves and cardamon pods which made it a little bitty but I’ll know next time to strain in before drinking.
Think I put a little too much clove in so will ease off a bit next time and I also didn’t bother with the pepper.

This is absolutely wonderful!! I only added a tiny amount of black pepper due to previous comments, and with the ginger it’s strong enough anyway. This will be my favorite, thank you soo much!!!

This is now my most favorite afternoon treat. I love the spices, they are perfect. Most chai is too sweet for me. Going to make the jars of this and give them as gifts.

Update:
I used this mix to make a blended spicy chai today. I used 3/4 cup of homemade hemp milk (using your hemp milk recipe), about 1 to 1 & 1/2 cups of ice, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and 2 teaspoons of the chai mix. I am a barista, and I would serve this in a shop. Absolutely delicious!

This recipe was exactly what I needed after kicking caffiene about a week ago. I made this with your hemp milk recipe, by steaming the milk with the chai mix on my home espresso machie and then pouring it over the maple syrup. Absolutely amazing. I will never buy storebought chai mix ever again! Highly reccomend this to anyone who is craving a hot beverage.

wow, it’s spicy! heat lingers in back of throat, a little goes a long way, great recipe!

Amazing! Easy, delicious and caffeine free. Thank you Dana!!!

I made this with 3/4 almond milk, and 1/4 cow’s milk. No sweetener, but fully blended. It was DELICIOUS! Just the right amount of spicy for me– and I like it spicy. I want to try it with a little less cinnamon in my next batch.

I’ve made this mix about a week ago and I’ve so enjoyed having a cup almost every night since then and it’s so easily customizable too but it’s a really great base recipe ! I have found I like it made with oat milk the most and I do half water half milk. Dying to make some nana ice cream with this added in ! Thanks for the recipe xx

Thanks for this lovely recipe! I’ve been searching for one like this to replace the finished blends with high amouts of sugar. Had two cups of the tea today, woops!
My spice mix turned out maybe a liiittle too spicy for me, so I think I’ll try to adjust the amouts a bit next time. Do you think it is the amout of pepper or ginger that makes it a bit too spicy for me?

You do not disappoint — ever! Thank you for this! Big bold balanced delicious flavors always! I have had this recipe on my phone since you posted it. Tonight, finally had all the ingredients. Fabulous! Again, thank you.

A coffee shop in the city we used to live in made the best chai lattes. I’ve been on a hunt for a recipe that compares to make them at home, and none have until this one! We didn’t have any nutmeg or cardamom (which are my least favourite of all the chai spices anyway, so I wasn’t sad about it). We used a bit less ginger and and almost the full amount of pepper. Delicious!

Thanks for all of your lovely posts! I enjoy making them for my family& I try variations to accommodate my severe digestive probs. I made this mix a few days ago& I’m making my 2ND batch tonight. I left out the pepper, for easier digestion& used saigon cinnamon. I’ve been adding the mix to my daily Dandelion & Chamomile tea& it’s delicious! Then, I was inspired to make homemade pecan milk to try as creamer, because of several other nut allergies. Tea + milk + a little honey or maple syrup & a dash of vanilla is how I’ve even serving it to my 11 yr old son& he LOVES it!

Délicieux ?. J’a Ajouté de l’anis étoilée et c’est excellent!! I added anis star and it’s excellent. Merci merci ??

Yes! So awesome! I love the spicey-ness- that is one of my requirements for a perfect chai. ? I can’t wait to try this as a base with my adaptogen lattes, too! Thanks! It is delish!

This chai mix is so darn delicious! Really simple to put together and turn into a flavourful and comforting drink. I’ve been making mine with soy milk. Plus the mason jar looks so cute on my countertop!

I made this chai spice mix & it’s bitter! Is there anything I can add to it to salvage it & make it more palatable? I’m disappointed as I love chai latte!

This was really great!! Just made it this morning – the black pepper definitely spices it up!

Drinking some now as I type this—YUM! This is the second time I’ve made this since you posted and I absolutely love it. I made it without the black pepper and using regular milk. Thank you for another delicious recipe!

O.M.G.
I have never had a pinterest recipe bang it out if the park like this. I usually use them as a starting place, but you dear one know what you’re doing! I have bought millions of bags and mixes over the last year since I went coffee free. This is my version of PERFECT. Exactly what my tastebuds wanted. I went to my local natural market, bought fresh bulk spices and came home immediately with my fingers crossed. Simmered it with cashew milk added some honey and now I am so happy! I had a mix that was yummy but it had the black tea already added and I’m really trying to step away from caffeine. You just saved me! Thank you for your efforts and for sharing your delicious recipe with us all!

Oh my goodness Dana this was SO GOOD!!! Wow!! I warmed mine with homemade walnut milk and a dash of pure maple syrup as suggested. Seriously amazing!! I will never buy chai anything again!

I love this! I made it with homemade almond milk and it’s perfect. I put a little date in my almond milk to sweeten it a little. That chai mix won’t last for long and I’ll need lots more almonds for almond milk. :-)

Thank you so much!

Just made this Dana and it turned out great. Thanks for the tein free idea as I have always loved chai tea, but if I had it after 5 o’clock, there’s no way I could sleep. Without the tea, however, I expect there won’t be any problems ;-)

I just made this and it was delicious! I omitted the black pepper and it was still nice and spicy!

Amazing. I also love Chai and thought I could not afford it. I had all of the ingredients and just enjoyed my first cup. I used to buy it already premade by the quart but it was expensive so I stopped. This is now my favorite drink again! I’m gonna make it by the half gallon!

Loved it! I followed the recipe exactly and thought it was fantastic. Especially since I have a cold, and it’s freezing out today. I recommend to anyone who doesn’t have one, to add the Aerolatte frother to their Christmas list. The tiny battery operated handheld blender is perfect for mixing in the spices and adding some froth to the top of the drink.

I’m not great about commenting, but I wanted to say that I really enjoy your site and have passed it along to many.

I was so excited about this but it turned out bitter. I’m going to try tomorrow – perhaps I didn’t measure one of the ingredients properly. I’ll rate it after a second go! First recipe that hasn’t turned out amazing, but I’m still hopeful ☺️

Sooo good! I’m addicted to the super sweet Starbucks Iced Chai and thought this one wouldn’t stack up but it’s better!! I’m ordering a spice grinder so i can get the spices finer (more fine?).

Loved your caffeine-free chai. Made it this evening with homemade almond milk. Perfect night for it too – with our first seasonal snow. My husband and I enjoyed every drop. Thanks for the recipe!

This is amazing! I just mixed the spices up while I had the spice box out to cook dinner and made myself a cup. So yummy! This is going to be my new afternoon drink at work. Thank you!

I. Love. Chai.

Cold weather is best soothed by this tasty beverage. I was skeptical of this recipe (though not really really – M.B. has never failed me) because it’s just a mix of ground spices… and that can’t work, right?

Wrong. It works. And its perfect.

I blended it (the mix & maple syrup) with cold milk until hot and it’s frothy and delicious.

Love this. It is truly warming and a great option if you don’t want the tea. I made it with steamed milk and it is a lovely way to have a treat in your day!

Thank you for another great recipe!
Finally Chai with no caffeine! It’s delicious!

Delicious! I’m enjoying this on a cold rainy morning. I left out the pepper and made a hot latte using Oatly Original and 1/2 TBSP of maple syrup. It has a nice spicy kick (from the ginger) and a hint of sweetness. Love it!

Wanted to make this the minute I saw the post! Finally got to make some tonight and I absolutely love this recipe. I might cut back just slightly on the pepper next round but it’s awesome. I also love that I can sweeten “to-taste”. I find most pre-mixed chais to be too sweet for my taste.
I made a chai latte using light coconut milk, heated and then blended to a frothy, creamy goodness! De-lish!!! Thank you MB!

JUST made this with my 5 year old daughter who LOVED it just as much as I do! I am a chai fanatic and this mix is one I’ve been looking for and will be sipping all winter! Dana, your recipes are sooo good as are your pics/videos on insta. I’m so glad to have stumbled upon your account 2 yrs ago. I literally make your minestrone soup every week. :) From Nashville with love!

Just tried it. My son and I really liked it, but I we both thought too much pepper. So I want to do it again but maybe 1/4 the amount of pepper. And I strained it with a mesh basket from blender to cup.

Pretty good, but mine was very chunky with spices. Any way to get rid of this consistency? It felt grainy while drinking. I love the flavor. Cut down on pepper per other commenters’ suggestions and it was the perfect amount of spice for me. This is going to save me so much money! Sorry local coffee shop…

Made this tonight and used it to make a latte – no tea just coconut milk and it turned out AMAZING! I’m thinking it might be good to sprinkle on oatmeal tomorrow morning. Thanks for the great recipe!

I added about 1 teaspoon maca powder to the blender and 1/4 teaspoon sunflower lecithin. I use homemade nut milks like hemp and I find the lecithin helps emulsify the fats to make the latte extra creamy.

This is amazing!! I sweetened mine with a medjool date. Wow! It’s frothy and thick and spicy and so delicious. This is going to be my go-to winter drink. Thank you so much!

Dana,
Your website has quickly become my favorite “go-to” source for recipes. You seem to do it so easily, but I know a lot of work goes on behind the scenes. Your operation is so high-quality and satisfying. Where once my (food) world was depressing and limited (gluten-averse, lactose-intolerant), it’s now, thanks to you, dynamic, creative and soul-warming again. You’ve given me joy again and hope for a future without toxic, manufactured food. Thank you.

This chai mix is amazing! Thank you so much. I made it today and am just now enjoying my first warm cup with a mix of almond and coconut milk. I love your reader’s suggestions to make it for a holiday gift. I plan to do the same.

This was delightful. We’ll be making it again for sure. I used plain soy milk and sweetened with can sugar. This was the first time I had a good opportunity to used the Vitamix Aer I was recently gifted, and oh, the foam!! Ahh :) the only thing I’ll do different in the future is increase the amount of milk per 1 1/2 tsp of spice mix, as it was a bit strong for my preference, but oh, so tasty! :)

Just made this and wow! It packs a punch! I may go down on the pepper a little or else figure out a way to balance it out more. Delicious though!!

This is perfection! I’ve gone through so many chai mixes, never finding anything that made my taste buds dance! I love this (am having it hot now, without tea). I don’t think I’ll be adding tea to this–I love it as is–sometimes black tea is so bitter—I just used the T of maple syrup and it was plenty sweet. I did add just a drop more cardamom since I am a cardamom junkie. I’ve even tried making chai concentrate with whole spices and still couldn’t get the taste I wanted. And now I can have chai at night, without worrying about the caffeine. Thanks so much.

Fantastic, this just sorts out all my remaining Christmas presents! I will just make mixture and put it in a nice jar!!! Thanks so much!

This was way too peppery for me! I halved the maple syrup for sweetener

This is amazing! Wow! It kicks Starbucks butt big time. I would cut down on the black pepper next time. It is quite spicy. I also added some turmeric for added health benefits.

A perfect spice blend! I used full fat coconut milk from the can and my latte was so satiating and decadent. Next time I’ll put the spices in a tea bag so it has more of that steeped tea quality of flavour. Gonna make a massive batch and give it for Christmas gifts!

This recipe has the perfect blend of spices and makes the best most warming and delicious chai latte, I made it with soy milk and it was perfect?

I just made this and my husband and I added kahlua…so delish! Definitely appropriate for the season!

I couldn’t wait to try this! I made it without the cloves (didn’t have any) and it was delicious! Made the warm version and added 3 teaspoons of monk fruit for sweetener.

I just made this and it’s so good! Thank you for creating such an easy recipe for homemade chai. It’s deliciously spicy and cozy. I’ll definitely be making it again.

Very tasty with date nectar. I added some turmeric to mine and it added even more of that traditional spice and added health benefits! Love this recipe. Going to jar it up for Christmas gifts :) Thank you!

I absolutely love chai tea and was so excited to see this. It tasted even better than expected! I’m so happy to now have a go-to recipe to keep on hand.

Delicious! I didn’t have cardamom in my pantry, but it still turned out tasty! I will try it again once I replenish my cardamom. I used unsweetened almond milk. Thank you for the recipe!
PS I love your glass mugs. Do you recall where you got them?

I made this (warmed non-dairy milk version) as soon as I saw it on Instagram. It is delicious! I even thought about making it into gifts. Thanks for sharing! I’m excited to try the other variations—black tea and cold!

I made this recipe today exactly as stated doing the caffeine version with black tea. My two daughters love Chai and they loved this recipe! They agreed it is WAY better than the mix you buy in the store, or even the Tazo brand already mixed with liquid. I loved the way the blender frothed the milk and I enjoyed it as well. Thanks, MB!

I made this 2 minutes after I saw the post! It’s super delicious and I love the foam the blender gives it! It’s nice and spicy! (Good thing I’m headed to the spice store soon since I depleted several of my spices making this!)