Spice Up Your Day with the Lemongrass-Ginger Masala Chai Latte Recipe

Are you prepared to elevate your chai latte skills to the next level? Well, if yes, prepare for a mix of powerful tastes that will delight your taste buds! The Lemongrass-Ginger Masala Chai Latte combines traditional Indian tea, lemongrass, ginger, and chai masala to provide a warm and spicy flavor.

This recipe, given by the immensely brilliant Poonam Patel, AKA @the.spice.guru on Instagram, adds a unique touch to a traditional chai. Don't be concerned if the name sounds complicated! You can quickly create this aromatic and frothy masterpiece using the Zulay Kitchen Milk Frother and appropriate tools. Patel herself suggests that the "Lemongrass-Ginger-Masala Chai Latte can be enjoyed any time of the day & can be enjoyed piping hot or lukewarm." So, let's get into it!

A Brief Dive into the History of Masala Chai

Let's talk about masala chai for a moment before we get to the step-by-step guide to the recipe. In India, chai ("tea" in Hindi) has been drunk for hundreds of years, long before it became popular in coffee shops worldwide. "Spiced tea," or masala chai, is a mix of black tea made with fragrant spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.

Masala chai is usually drunk hot and sweetened with sugar or jaggery. The milk makes the taste rich and smooth. Often, it's served in small clay cups called kulhads, which adds to the cultural and physical pleasure of drinking chai. Chai is now loved and consumed by people all over the world, and there are a considerable number of different kinds to suit everyone's tastes. This Lemongrass-Ginger Masala Chai Latte is tangy and smells great!

So you can make your own tasty cup, let's break it down step by step.

Ingredients

1 tbsp loose Indian tea
1/4 tsp chai masala
1/2 cup water
1.25 cups milk
1 tbsp brown sugar
5 inches of lemongrass green leaf (or 2 inches of stem)
5 inches of green ginger leaf (or 1 tbsp ginger paste)

How to Make Lemongrass-Ginger Masala Chai Latte?

Step 1: Make Your Chai Concentrate

Start by adding 1/2 cup water to your saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil. Once you see the bubbles forming, toss in your 1 tbsp loose Indian tea and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Let it brew for about a minute, giving it that rich, deep tea flavor.

Next, it’s time to add in the stars of the show: lemongrass and ginger. The lemongrass lends a zesty, almost floral note, while the ginger brings warmth and spice. Add 5 inches of lemongrass leaf (or 2 inches of the stem) and 5 inches of green ginger leaf (or 1 tbsp ginger paste), and let everything simmer for a few minutes.

Pour in 1/2 cup milk, and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. The milk will balance out the strong tea and spices, creating a smooth, creamy base for your latte. After about 2-3 minutes, your chai concentrate should be ready to go!

Step 2: Strain and Pour

Grab your tea strainer and carefully pour the chai concentrate into a tall mug. This step ensures you’ll have a smooth latte without any stray tea leaves or spice bits.

Step 3: Froth the Milk

Rinse out your saucepan, add the remaining 3/4 cup milk, and bring it to a boil. Once the milk is hot, whip up a generous foam layer with your Milk Frother. The frothy milk is what takes this latte from good to GREAT!

Frothing milk to use for making Lemongrass - Ginger - Masala Chai Latte⁣.

Step 4: Assemble Your Latte

Now, pour the milk from the saucepan into your chai concentrate, and use a spoon to scoop the frothed milk on top. The foam will give your latte that signature coffee shop feel but with homemade goodness!

Step 5: Garnish

Top it off with a light dusting of chai masala and a couple of fresh lemongrass leaves or ginger slices for garnish. It looks stunning, and the extra aroma makes every sip even more enticing!

Why You’ll Love This Lemongrass-Ginger Masala Chai Latte

Two cups of Lemongrass - Ginger - Masala Chai Latte⁣ for a winter night.

I can say that this drink is a sensory experience. Consider the warm, calming scent of fresh ginger and lemongrass entering your kitchen while the tea simmers. The moderate spice from the chai masala provides warmth, while the frothy milk makes each sip velvety smooth. Likewise, the ginger offers a mild zing, while the lemongrass lends a crisp citrus edge, resulting in the ideal taste balance.

What I like most is that I can customize it however I want. If I like more heat, I increase the chai masala. If I'm craving something sweeter? I just add an extra dash of brown sugar. The options are limitless, and that is half of the fun!

Customizing Your Lemongrass-Ginger Masala Chai Latte

For a Vegan Twist: Swap out regular milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk. The rich creaminess of coconut milk pairs particularly well with the lemongrass and ginger.
Sweeten It Up: Not a fan of brown sugar? Try honey, agave syrup, or even maple syrup.
Add Extra Spice: If you like your chai on the spicier side, add extra chai masala or even a dash of black pepper for some heat.

Two glasses of Lemongrass - Ginger - Masala Chai Latte⁣for breakfast.

Zulay's Final Thoughts

This Lemongrass-Ginger Masala Chai Latte will really spice up your day! The strong taste, smooth milk, and bubbly top make it a show-stopper, whether you're making it for one person or for a big group. And with the Zulay Kitchen Milk Frother, it's simple to make at home.

How long are you going to wait? Making a cup of coffee will make your day better. Take a sip and enjoy the warmth and spice.