Hot or cold, a chai tea latte is a treat! Why pay more for a boxed concentrate when you can make your own version, without additives or the high price tag? This definitely is worth the small amount of time it takes to prepare! And you can increase or decrease the flavorings to suite your personal taste; add a vanilla bean, increase any of the ingredients you love, or leave out the ones you aren't as fond of. If you wish, part of the sugar or honey can be replaced with Stevia or artificial sweetener for less calories.

Chai Tea Concentrate
Makes 1 1/2 cups, enough for 4 lattes

Ingredients
3 tablespoons sugar
8 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half
1 slice ginger, peeled
5 whole cloves
6 whole black peppercorns
2 black teabags (3-4 for stronger tea flavor)
1 tablespoon honey

Combine all ingredients except the honey in a pot. Add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat slightly, add the tea bags, and let simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let steep for another 5 minutes. Strain the mixture, removing all the spices. Add the honey and stir. Taste, adding more honey if you like.

Cool completely.

The concentrate is easily doubled and will last a while in the fridge.

Chai Tea Latte

6 tablespoons Chai Tea Concentrate
3/4-1 cup milk of your choice*
Ice

*Replace cow's milk with soy, almond, or milk of your choice. If using sweetened milk, adjust the sugar in the concentrate or the drink will be too sweet.

Pour both the Chai Tea Concentrate and the milk into a glass, stirring to combine them. Add a large handful of ice, and drink immediately.

This concentrate can be prepared as a hot drink for winter by warming the milk and chai concentrate slowly in a small saucepan until very hot. Serve in a mug.