Best Ever Vanilla Chai Powder Mix
This Vanilla Chai Powder Mix is the perfect little luxury to keep in your pantry for those mornings when you want something a bit more special than a plain cup of coffee. It’s got all those warm, cozy spices like ginger and cardamom that make it taste just like a fancy coffee shop treat, but for a fraction of the cost!
One of The Best Discoveries I’ve Ever Made!
A few months back, I met a friend in a local coffee shop for a little chat, and when I got there, she had ordered me their Spiced Vanilla Chai. I had never had this stuff before, and one sip had me leaping over the moon; it was so good! I was really surprised that it wasn’t coffee because it has such body and depth of flavor. It was like a perfectly baked ginger cookie dipped into perfectly made coffee.
However, I don’t drink sugar for a multitude of reasons (hence my sugar-free Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte), so when the lady behind the counter told me she couldn’t make it sugar-free, I was pretty disappointed. Good thing I don’t give up too easily! The great thing about this recipe is that I could easily make it sugar-free (or significantly lower in sugar), and that is what I’m bringing you today.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Powdered milk
- Ideal Sweetener*
- Instant unsweetened tea
- Sugar Free French Vanilla Creamer
- Non-dairy coffee creamer
- Ginger
- Allspice
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- White Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom*
*You can use regular sugar or Splenda in place of the Ideal Sweetener. I found Ideal at Kroger’s packaged under their own label, but with “Ideal” listed on the front.
Go for the cheap here wherever you can. I know some folks really get a thrill out of spending $20 plus on a little bottle of spices, and if you’re in that camp, knock yourself out. I cruise the store brands and sale bins for mine. Nothing but the cheapest for my family! ~grins~
*Now this cardamom is going to cost a fortune. I spent around ten dollars for my bottle. However, you’ll have enough of it to make several batches. I have no idea how many times I’ve made this and I’m still using the same bottle.
Step 1: Place Your Ingredients Into a Food Processor
Now this is where you decide if you like stronger or weaker beverages. If you prefer stronger flavors, use heaping measurements with your spices. I use heaping teaspoons, rather than teaspoons. If you prefer your flavors a little milder, use the exact measurements listed in the recipe.
Once you have all ingredients in your food processor, put the lid on that puppy and get ready to make some mix!
Step 2: Making Your Vanilla Chai Powder Mix
To make your chai, simply add two heaping tablespoons of mix to 8 ounces of hot water or milk and stir (I use hot water).
If you don’t have a food processor, you can also use a blender, but you may need to make it in smaller batches to have room. Just put your tea, spices, and powdered milk in first and mix those up really well, then you can stir the rest in by hand.
This is what it will look like when done.
Storing Your Vanilla Chai Powder Mix
Now, just store this in an airtight container to keep fresh. I like to put mine in little 8-ounce canning jars so I can have one or two to give away to friends.
In the mood for more traditional Southern sweets? How about some Old-Fashioned Frog Eye Salad? YUM! Now that we’ve done all that mental cooking, it’s time to sit down with a nice hot drink….
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Non Fat Dry Milk Powder
- 1 Cup Powdered Non Dairy Creamer Coffee Mate
- 1 Cup Sugar Free French Vanilla Powdered Non Dairy Creamer
- 2-1/2 Cups Ideal Sweetener Splenda, or Sugar
- 1-1/2 Cups Unsweetened Instant Tea can use Decaf
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a food processor or large blender. Blend until it is a fine powder. Store in airtight container.
- To make Vanilla Chai, add two to three tablespoons of mix to 8 ounces of hot water or milk (I use hot water).
Makes about 6 cups of mix. For more information about substitutions and ingredients, please see the recipe post.
Nutrition
I don’t like vanilla nothing but this recipe sounds yummy. Never tried chai tea I know were have I been but I like to stick with the basics. Spices are pricey but this drink sounds so tempting. Thanks
I’m so glad you like chai. I’m a big fan of chai too but I generally tend to get the chai tea bags only because I don’t want to drink the powdered mixes too much. Of course the powdered stuff is wickedly good though, what with all the creamer and stuff. But the actual bags are still nice and I just make it up like a normal hot tea with milk and a tiny bit of sugar.
I do have a funny tea story when we were in Vegas my mum ordered tea and I was quick to add “not ice tea, she doesn’t want ice tea. She wants breakfast tea with milk.” The waiter had a funny look on his face and brought out ice tea and a glass of milk!!!!! I explained again and he said “OH! You mean HOT tea!” lol If you ask for tea here you automatically get hot tea. Lol
I’m with you, Su! I’m considering making this mix, but it sounds like a lot of work and I might be tempted to overindulge if I had a lot of it and it is tasty.
Funny story about getting the ice tea and milk in Vegas! Yes, we always have to specify hot tea if you don’t want to get cold! I guess since coffee is the American hot beverage of choice, no one really thinks of drinking tea hot! Of course, now people are making iced coffee, too, but you’d have to specify if you’d want that cold instead of hot!
i love vanilla chai too! I started out with that Oregon brand in the purple carton that you just dump in some milk. This recipe sounds wonderful and a ton more diabetic friendly. thanks for posting! I agree St. Arbucks is less than wonderful.
I love the reference to St. Arbucks! I will remember that! (and use it often!)
For those of y’all that think nutmeg is “icky”…try using only 1/2 teaspoon of it, and choose cinnamon for the extra 1/2 teaspoon…this gives the blending of spices but NOT the power of nutmeg!! This stuff is soooo good. hugs and blessings to all y’all.
Just wondering……..how does it affect the final product (mix) if you don’t use a food processor or blender and just stir it together in a big bowl?
By not using the processor or blender, you will probably get “floaters”, as in bits of nutmeg and less fine spices floating on top of your drink, which may bother some.
Thank you Christy! Love Chai Latte!!! Yum! Will be making this very soon. I too and cutting out as much sugar as possible. This is PERFECT!
Kristen in MS
Oh Christy, I have used this recipe for about five years and I’ve even made up big batches and given them with homemade biscotti and pretty mugs for Christmas. I love this and the fact that it is sugar free makes it so well received. I am so glad you posted it on here. I also want to tell you I”ve been reading your blog for years and I bought your book and love trying all the recipes. My hubby loves them too. And for those who asked Chai is pronounced CHIY. Blessings to you and your family Christy.
Kathy