Chai Simple Syrup (Starbucks-inspired)
An easy spiced Chai Simple Syrup to help you make Masala Chai, Dirty Chai Latte, Chai cocktails and desserts etc in a fraction of the time! The aromatic flavor is extra delicious and warming during the fall and winter months!
Servings: 1 Jar
Calories: 903kcal
Equipment
- mortar and pestle Optional. Substitute: knife with heavy handle or baking tray
- Pot and heat proof spatula
Ingredients
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 13 green cardamoms
- 6 cloves
- ½ teaspoon coriander seeds optional
- ½ teaspoon black peppercorns optional, add if you like spice
- ½-1 teaspoon fennel seeds optional
- 5 slices of fresh ginger root
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Sugar I use brown demerera sugar but you can use white sugar, date sugar etc
Instructions
Releasing the flavor of the spices
- Optional: Gently bash the spices in a mortar and pestle to release aromas (not to crush them into a powder!) Use a large pot to dry toast the spices over medium-low fire. (Don't use high fire as spices burn easily.)
Making the Chai Syrup
- Once fragrant, slowly pour in the water then the sugar. (If you add the sugar before the water, the syrup will bubble very furiously and may burn you- hot sugar syrup is much hotter than water!)
- Boil for 5-10 minutes. (I prefer 10 as the flavor is sweeter and more full bodied.) However, don't boil for too long or the syrup will become too thick and difficult to use. (If so, simply add some water to thin it out.) Boiling for too long may also develop a bitter aftertaste.
Storing the Syrup
- Allow the syrup to steep and cool, then sieve or strain out the spices. If you did a spectacular job bashing the spices, you may need to use a cheesecloth or nut bag.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for a 1 week or more (if your container is sterilised.)
- Tip: you can save the spices to boil again to make tea. I boil mine for 10 minutes and no one can tell it's not a freshly made Masala Chai Tea!
Making Chai Drinks
- Dissolve the Chai Syrup into your black tea, coffee, latte etc. I like to use 1 Tablespoon per Cup of black tea, but you can vary it as per your taste!
Notes
Hot sugar syrup is very hot so be careful not to burn yourself!
Tip: you can save the spices to boil again to make tea. I boil mine for 10 minutes and no one can tell it's not a freshly made Masala Chai Tea!
Storage
Keeps in a sterilised container in the fridge for a few weeks- months.
The more sugar you use, the longer it will last. Another way to make it last a bit longer is to add a pinch of food-grade citric acid (about ¼ teaspoon)
Freezing
You can freeze it for 6-12 months.
A Chai Simple Syrup is most likely to freeze solid, so I recommend freezing it in an ice cube tray. (You can then use 1-2 Chai cubes per drink.)
Note: The nutritional information given is only an estimate using online tools. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site can't be guaranteed.
Nutrition
Calories: 903kcal | Carbohydrates: 229g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 526mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 200g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 5mg