Two ornate glasses of a creamy beverage sit on saucers atop blue fabric, with dried floral decor in the background. The word “Iced Tea Recipe” is written in large script across the front.
October 10, 2025

Creamy Spiced Chai Recipe with Indian Assam

The St. James Tearoom

As the days grow cool and golden, there is no finer comfort than a fragrant cup of Creamy Spiced Chai, a brew of warmth itself. This simple recipe calls only for the treasures of your spice cabinet, and the rest is guided by your senses. Made with our Indian Assam traditional black tea, its boldness of body holds up beautifully to the creamy flavors. One of the quiet joys of chai lies in its endless variety. Adjust the blend to suit the season’s whim—perhaps a touch more cinnamon for warmth or extra cardamom for brightness—and sweeten to taste.

Two ornate glasses of milk tea sit on saucers amid dried flowers. In front, a golden tray holds cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cardamom pods, and ground spices—essential ingredients for any flavorful iced tea recipe—all beautifully arranged on deep blue fabric with a stone wall background.

Creamy Spiced Chai Recipe with Indian Assam

Servings: 2
Cook Time: 25 minutes
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Ingredients Instructions Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tsp (rounded) of our Indian Assam loose leaf tea or other traditional black tea of choice
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tsp (rounded) Chai Spice Mix see recipe below
  • 4 Tbsp. brown sugar

For the Chai Spice Mix:

  • 1 Tbsp. ground cardamom
  • 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 2 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  1. In a small saucepan, combine half and half, milk, and water. Over medium heat, bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to low and stir in Indian Assam loose leaf tea and Chai Spice Mix.
  3. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 5 minutes.
  4. Strain into pre-warmed mugs and stir in brown sugar to taste.
Chai Spice Mix:
  1. In a small cup or bowl, blend together the above spices for Chai Spice Mix. Store in an opaque glass or ceramic jar with screwtop lid or tight-fitting cork. Give the jar a good shake to help distribute the different ingredients before using the spice mix for brewing. Makes a scant 1/4 cup.

Notes

St. James Chai Tea Secrets:

While we prefer to use a bold, malty tea like Indian Assam, a toasty traditional black tea like China Keemun or other traditional black teas will add different notes to your chai. If you are more of a green tea drinker, you can substitute black tea for Gunpowder Green with a bold green tea flavor, or Sencha with comforting, earthy notes. *Note: Use simmering liquid for green teas instead of boiling. Your chai will look different in color when using green teas.
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We hope you enjoy this Creamy Spiced Chai Recipe with Indian Assam as much as we do!