For those of you that don't indulge....a Chai Latte is tea that is full of awesome spices, some sweeteners and then mixed with steamed milk. It is beyond yummy!
So, knowing that I couldn't get a Chai on Tuesday, I decided to get creative in the kitchen. I took a chai tea bag, plunked it in some hot water, warmed up some rice milk (I don't drink cow's milk very often), added a touch of honey, poured it into my cup and left for work.
First sip.....weak and a bit watery...not sweet enough....but out of desperation...I drank it all.Yesterday I tried again. This time I took two tea bags and plunked them in less hot water, I added a little more honey and the warmed rice milk, put it in my cup and left for work.
First sip....not bad....not bad at all. It wasn't Starbucks, but I could almost like it. The only thing I might try is making it with skim milk, because I think the rice milk changes the taste too much. It will still cost some money....but no where near the cost of Starbucks.
Now the days I don't want to spend my hard-earned allowance on Starbucks, I can still enjoy a tasty warm drink on my way to work.
Does that not kick butt? Chee Hoo!
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15 comments:
yumness! can you share what brand of chai tea bags you use?? I'm on the lookout, but scared to try one for fear it won't be as good.
Also -- for a richer taste, have you tried using warm milk instead of water at all? Not sure how that works for you with the rice milk/skim milk, but might help with the watery taste/being too thin.
Sounds yummy! I gave up Starbucks a couple years ago - It helped moving to the sticks and the fact that the closest Starbucks is 35 minutes away though ... I do get it occasionally, but have found that I like store brand coffee just as much - especially when my pockets aren't completely empty.
I have no tips on Chai tea though ... and I am not going to try Starbucks - for fear that I will like it too much!
That's AWESOME Kathy! You might try a different brand of chai tea. I like Celestial Seasonings Indian Spice myself. Stash also makes different types of chai tea.
But you are saving money and that's AWESOME!
Have you ever tried Oregon Chai Tea? It's this liquid you pour in with milk and heat (or drink cold). I was REALLY addicted to it for a long time and it cost a LOT less than chai tea served in coffee shops. I found it at the grocery store and at Target.
I feel like a tea bag outta water cause I've never understood Starbucks' pull. That's a lotta money for a bit of tea/coffe and a drizzle of milk. My husband, a major coffee drinker (but in a travel mug, from the house) just rolls his eyes. But I honestly don't get it, sigh.
Your efforts to save $ are great! Have you tried searching the internet for a copycat recipe?
MMMMMm......I'm drinking one right now that I made with Lipton Chai, honey, and half boiling water/half 2percent milk I steamed in the microwave. Delish! Thanks for the recipe!
(ps if you drink starbucks frozen coffees I have a caramel frappaccino fake out that is cheap and low cal. here's the link http://sleepyhollowfolkartoriginals.blogspot.com/2009/09/super-low-cal-starbucks-fake-out.html )
That si a great idea!! My husband did the same thing last year..he bought chocolate and carmel syrup and made ups carmel mocas..yummy!!
Great invention. You should name it the "Mai Chai" and market it and become ridiculously wealthy and move to Colorado!
I've never tried one of them. Now you have me wondering.
Great idea! I have not been paying attention to the price of the specialty offerings at Starbucks because I drink black coffee or hot tea. Youch.
If you should find yourself out without your homemade goodness, you can take in your own cup and receive a discount at many coffee shops including Starbucks. The reusable cup I bring along is filled with hot, caffeinated yumminess for the reduced price of a refill, or of a small hot tea even if the cup is really a larger size.
Chee Hoo! Now you're talking Kathy. Don't you feel great???
Slap yourself on the back - you go girl!
That is the way to get creative!!!
I did a little searching and found this:
3 cups water
3 cups milk (I use skim)
6-8 black or decaf black tea bags
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves (I use less because I don't like too strong a clove taste)
1/2 tsp ground ginger (or a mashed small chunk of fresh)
Bring water and milk to a boil. Add other ingredients, return to boil. Turn off
heat and let steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove tea bags then filter through fine
strainer. Good hot or cold. (I keep it in the refrigerator and microwave it if
I want it hot.)
I'm not a Starbuck person but I think it is great that you are now making your own drink...Saves money and you will get it prfected and before long like it better than Starbucks...And look at the money you save...New Shoes, New Outfit or something just for you with all that saved loot...:)
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