Chai Coffee 5 Ways
Our new small batch Chai Coffee combines the best of both worlds: the signature sweet and spicy blend of real cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla plus rich Vietnamese ground coffee. It's delicious solo - but there are lots of easy ways to spice up your coffee ritual with this small-batch flavor! Here are a few of our favorites.
What is a Chai Coffee?
Chai is the Hindi word for “tea,” and while the recipe varies across regions, a traditional chai usually includes black tea mixed with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and black pepper. In India, where chai originated, it’s typically enjoyed with milk and a sweetener.
Chai Coffee isn’t exactly a traditional drink, but rather a delicious combo of two favorites - coffee and chai! It can include coffee, black tea, and spices, or just coffee and spices depending on the recipe used. For example, if you’ve ever ordered a “dirty chai” at a coffee shop - a chai latte with a shot of espresso - then you’ve had a version of chai coffee.
To make a chai coffee, most coffee shops use espresso shots, chai concentrate, sweetener, and milk. A Copper Cow Chai Coffee has whole herbs and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger ground right into the coffee. When you pour hot water over the filter, your whole brew is infused with the spices rather than adding them in at the end.
What does Chai Coffee taste like?
Chai Coffee tastes like, well, chai and coffee! If you like spicy-sweet, cinnamon-forward flavors, you’ll love chai coffee. The spice blend is similar to what you’d find in a pumpkin spice latte - minus the pumpkin, of course!
As soon as you start brewing, you’ll notice the spicy aroma, but paired with our dark roast Vietnamese coffee blend, the flavor is smooth and subtle. We also grind real vanilla beans right into the blend for a lightly sweet flavor that perfectly complements the bold cinnamon and ginger notes.
5 Ways to Make Chai Coffee
Hot Coffee or Latte
If you like to keep things simple and classic, Chai Coffee is delicious black or as a hot latte with our sweetened-condensed milk creamer. Just brew according to the directions on the package using hot water.
Iced Latte or Cold Brew
If iced “Dirty Chai” lattes are your go-to, just make your latte according to the instructions on the package, allow to cool slightly, then pour over ice.
If you’re the plan-ahead type, this flavor is also amazing as cold brew!
Simply place 2 unopened Chai Coffee filters in a glass jar or bottle, fill to the top with water, and steep in the fridge overnight. The next day, remove the filters, pour over ice and add creamer or milk if desired!
Ice Cream
Think you need fancy equipment to make ice cream at home? Churns out, you can make it with just a handful of ingredients! Our delicious No Churn Chai Coffee Ice Cream combines our coffee with sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and extra spices for a deliciously creamy treat. Get the full recipe here.
Blended
More of a frappe fan? Chai Coffee can do it all! Simply brew according to instructions (or use the cold brew instructions above), then add it to the blender with a handful of ice or frozen banana chunks, and a creamer packet or milk of your choice. For a post-workout boost, you could toss in a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Or heck, get wild and throw in a scoop of ice cream to treat yourself to a milkshake!
Affogato
Upgrade your afternoon pick-me-up to an Italian-inspired treat! Brew your Chai Coffee extra strong by only filling the filter with hot water 2-3 times. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to a small bowl or cup, then pour your chai coffee over it. The warm, spicy coffee will begin to melt the ice cream for a creamy, dreamy treat you can enjoy with a spoon.