Chai Spice Mix
This homemade Chai Spice Mix is part of my Homemade Seasoning Recipes collection and makes it easy to enjoy your favorite chai drinks and treats anytime. Aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and allspice create a rich base for drinks and baked goods.
My DIY Chai Blend lets you decide exactly how your drink tastes, so you can skip the pricey coffee shop runs. This warm spice blend is a total game-changer for your pantry. You can stir a pinch into your morning oatmeal, bake it into muffins, or swirl it into a plain latte to make it feel fancy. Plus, it’s cheaper and tastes much fresher than anything you’d buy at the store.
Typically, when I make recipes using a Chai Spice Mix, it’s for individual recipes like my Homemade Vanilla Chai Latte or these delicious Apple Chai Scones. I never thought to make a batch of the spices and store them until I made my Chai Sugar Cookies with Eggnog Frosting last Christmas. What a time saver this blend is to have in my pantry!
Chai Spice Mix
This mix comes together in less than five minutes and keeps well, so it’s easy to have ready whenever a craving for it pops up. You get that classic warmth from the cinnamon and ginger, while the cardamom adds that special floral touch that makes it taste like the real deal.
Since you probably already have these spices in your cabinet, you can skip those pricey gourmet jars and make your own high-quality blend for basically pennies. Making it yourself means you’re getting pure, bold spices that pack a way bigger punch than the store-bought stuff, which can sometimes have extra fillers.
It works great in milk-based drinks, brewed tea, and even blended drinks when you want something cold. Whether you like your drinks lightly spiced or extra cozy, this homemade blend makes it simple to adjust the flavor and sweetness. Once it’s mixed, you’ll reach for it again and again for lattes, teas, or baked treats any time of year.
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Timesaving Tips and Variations
This blend is flexible and easy to customize depending on how you plan to use it. A few small adjustments can help you fine-tune the flavor or speed up drink preparation.
- Adjust individual spices if you prefer one flavor to stand out more.
- Start with less spice in drinks and increase gradually to taste.
- Blend or heat the spice mix with liquids to help the flavors develop.
- Use a handheld milk frother instead of a blender for quicker mixing.
- You can grind whole spices for a deeper, more robust flavor.
The longer the spices sit in warm liquid, the more pronounced the flavor becomes. Heating or blending helps the spices fully infuse, especially in milk-based drinks.
There’s nothing better than pairing a warm, spiced drink with a cozy, lightly sweet snack. Stirring this mix into your favorite mug and serving it alongside a fresh treat is basically the ultimate comfort combo.
Baked Treats to Enjoy with Chai Drinks
There’s nothing better than pairing a warm, spiced drink with a cozy, lightly sweet snack. Stirring this mix into your favorite mug and serving it alongside a fresh treat is basically the ultimate comfort combo.
- Blueberry Muffin Cake
- Pumpkin Crumb Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Scones
- Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
- Low-Sugar Double Chocolate Muffins
These baked goods complement the flavors in the blend without competing with its spices. When you keep the sides simple, the warm flavors stay front and center for a snack time that feels totally cozy and balanced
Frequently Asked Questions
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, this chai spice mix keeps its best flavor for up to one month. Over time, the spices may lose some potency. Stirring the mix before using helps redistribute the flavors.
Yes, it works well in cold drinks when blended properly. Blending helps evenly distribute the ingredients and prevents settling. Cold milk or iced drinks benefit most from this method.
Tools Needed to Make Chai Spice Blend
You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this recipe. The items are ones you proably already have.
- Mixing bowl (I have these Pyrex bowls)
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Airtight container (these small mason jars are perfect for storing)
Ingredients
This specific combination of ground spices is what gives the mix its signature flavor profile. Each ingredient brings its own unique strength to the bowl to create a balanced, aromatic result.
- Ground Cinnamon: The sweet and woody foundation that everyone recognizes as the heart of warm spices.
- Ground Ginger: This provides a sharp, zesty kick that keeps the blend from feeling too heavy.
- Ground Cardamom: A floral and citrusy ingredient that is the essential secret in this recipe.
- Fine Ground Pepper: Adds a subtle, back-of-the-throat heat that makes the others pop.
- Ground Nutmeg: Offers a nutty, earthy sweetness that helps bridge the cinnamon and the ginger.
- Ground Allspice: A unique spice that tastes like a natural combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Ground Cloves: These are very potent and provide a deep, intense warmth that lingers beautifully.
By using high-quality ground ingredients, you ensure the final mix is as flavorful as possible. These seven work together to create a pantry staple you’ll use constantly.
How to Make Chai Spice Mix
Add all spices to a medium bowl. Whisk until fully combined and evenly mixed. Transfer the spice blend to an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Use as needed in hot or cold drinks.
Drinks to Make with Chai Spice Mix
These short recipes show exactly how to use the chai spice mix in everyday drinks. Each one is easy to adjust, so you can tailor the spice level and sweetness to your taste.
Hot Chai Latte
- 1½ teaspoons chai spice mix
- 8 ounces milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or preferred sweetener
Warm all ingredients slowly in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally. Once heated through, strain if desired and serve.
Cold Chai Latte
- 1½ teaspoons chai spice mix
- 8 ounces cold milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or preferred sweetener
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend for about 20 seconds until fully combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Serve chilled or over ice.
Hot Chai Tea Latte
- 1½ teaspoons chai spice mix
- 4 ounces milk
- 4 ounces hot black tea
- 1 tablespoon honey or preferred sweetener
Heat the milk and chai mix gently in a saucepan, stirring to combine. Add the hot tea and sweetener, then warm just until blended. Serve hot.
If you love any of the warm spices in this chai blend, try Orange Cardamom Snickerdoodle Cookies. The citrus and cardamom flavors will have you loving this sweet treat.
Chai Spice Mix
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until blended and no lumps. Store in a airtight container in pantry for up to 1 month.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
2026 Alphabet Challenge – “C”
We’re continuing the 2026 Alphabet Challenge, where food bloggers from all over are sharing recipes inspired by the letters of the alphabet. Twice a month, we feature two letters, with recipes that either start with that letter or highlight a main ingredient beginning with it. Today’s letter is “C,” and I’m sharing a cozy Chai Spice Mix that’s perfect for homemade drinks all year long. Be sure to look back at the recipes from the 2025 alphabet challenge and then check out 2024’s recipes for even more inspiration. Here’s what everyone else is cooking up for the letter C!
- Culinary Cam: Chicken Thigh Schnitzel + Chenin Blanc
- Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Chocolate Chip Crescent Roll Cookies
- Mayuri’s Jikoni : Chora Nu Shaak,Gujarati Style
- Magical Ingredients: Coconut Rolls
- Sneha’s Recipe: Colorful Peppers Pulao
- Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Corn Saute with Pancetta, Potatoes, and Peppers
- A Messy Kitchen: Cranberry Pistachio Pull-apart Rolls
- Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Dill Pickle & Mustard Seed Cream Cheese Spread
- Food Lust People Love: Traditional Cullen Skink
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: White Chicken Chili
Enjoy!
Such warm, fragrant spices. I can think of a million applications.
We tried a new to us restaurant a couple of weeks ago and, since it was chilly, I ordered their karak chai. It was perfect as a winter warmer! With your spice mix, I can make it at home now. Sweet!