Chai For the Summer

I’m considering my day today to be a Wednesday, because tomorrow we’re going to a training session and won’t be in the office, so it’s kind of like having a day off. Well, not really, but at least we won’t be sitting in the office all day. Staring at a computer screen for 8 hours in depressing florescent lighting doesn’t really make for an ideal summer. But I can’t complain, I’m learning so much in my job and I know it’s good experience. And once we get home we always have a blast with Ashley. Lately there is a pair of ducks that come by every single day to visit us. They are pretty obviously mates, and Ashley has named them Nimrod (that’s the boy, of course) and Rosie.

These ducks come from the subdivision lake, and while they are “wild” they have been raised probably 90% off food that people in the neighborhood give them. Therefore, I find it kind of cruel to not give them food. They’ve eaten loads of our bread, but we don’t mind!

They are super cute and on a good day they’ll eat right out of your hand!

While I may not be partaking in my ideal summer activities (like feeding ducks) all day, I do have for you guys an ideal summer drink that you must try.

I told you a few days ago that I was perfecting my iced chai latté recipe because it’s one of my favorite drinks, and I’m happy to report that I have reached my goal. I LOVE the way this drink tastes and it is certainly more wallet friendly than getting one at Starbucks.

I made my version dairy free but as always you can substitute whatever type of milk you like. I found after several experiments that the most flavorful latté is made with a combination of tea leaves and spices. You can make it with just the tea, but it will have a much milder chai flavor. The ground chai spices really take this to the next level, and my mom happens to have a lot lying around for baking.

Alternatively, you can steep the tea with whole chai spices (cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, star anise, whole cloves, fresh ginger, and whatever else you want). But I found this way to be easiest! I also found that adding a little soy creamer along with the milk gives the latté just the right amount of richness.

Summer Chai Latté

• 2 c. water
• 4 chai tea bags
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 1/2 t. ground chai spices
• 2 T. honey
• 2 t. organic sugar
• 3/4 c. soy milk
• 1/4 c. soy milk creamer
• ice

-Heat the water in a small pot until boiling. Remove from heat and add in the tea bags, cinnamon stick, and spices. Stir and cover. Let steep for 15 minutes.

-After 15 minutes, remove the tea bags so that the concentrate doesn’t get bitter. Stir in the honey and sugar. Cover and let sit for another 10 minutes.

-Now it’s time to strain the spices from the liquid. You can either use a fine strainer or a coffee filter. I put my coffee filter into a funnel to make things a little easier. You may have to stir it around to get things moving.

(Lazy method that takes a bit longer: Pour the whole thing into a tall container and wait a few minutes for everything to settle to the bottom, then pour the liquid from the top carefully, leaving the spices in the glass. Or if you don’t mind the spices, just leave them in!)

-Take the strained liquid and put it in the refrigerator to cool for at least 20 minutes. Warm or even room temperature tea will make your ice melt and dilute the latté, which you don’t want!

-When you’re ready to drink your latté, fill your glass about half full with ice.

-Fill the glass about 2/3 full with the cool tea concentrate.

-Fill it the rest of the way with the soy milk and creamer.

-Stir gently to combine.

-Enjoy it nice and ice cold!

-Makes 2 refreshing summer glasses.

This actually went perfectly with some shortbread cookies that I made yesterday with my homemade blackberry jam!

But once you start drinking it, it won’t last long. 😉

Thanks for reading!

-Lauren