This simple homemade chai spice blend adds instant comfort to any routine.

The rich blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger creates a delicious, cozy drink. The scent alone brings warmth to chilly mornings and coziness to any time of year. Enjoy a cup of chai beside a flickering candle or as part of your evening wind-down.

What makes chai so special is its versatility. It pairs great with both sweet and savory dishes, and once you start making your own spice blends, you’ll see how easy and satisfying it can be.

What Is Chai Spice?

The word chai comes from the original Mandarin and Chinese language, which means “tea.” Over the years, in Indian culture it came to describe spiced tea, or traditional Indian chai. The term chai today often refers to the warm, fragrant drink made with black tea, milk, and a mix of spices.

Unlike pumpkin spice, which leans heavily on sweetness, chai has layers… floral, spicy, and earthy. The chai spice mixtures combine the sweetness of cinnamon, the boldness of black pepper, and the warmth of fresh ginger, creating a robust flavor that is easily identifiable.

Try more favorite recipes, like our Homemade Hot Chocolate

Make Your Own Chai Spice Blend

There’s a certain joy in making your own chai spice recipe at home. By creating a homemade masala chai spice mix, you can control the freshness, balance, and different proportions of aromatic spices. There are no preservatives and no fillers. Just pure, fragrant spices in a jar.

You can easily adjust the sweetness, like adding a small amount of vanilla, or lean into spicier notes. And it’s not just about taste. This versatile mix makes a wonderful DIY gift during the holidays. You can package it in a jar, paired with a chai tea latte recipe. This homemade chai mix is a thoughtful, cozy present for tea lovers.

You can choose to use whole spices and grind them yourself into fine powder with a spice grinder. This will provide the best flavor profile. I chose to use pre-ground spices from the grocery store for my blend to make it easier, since I don’t own a spice grinder.

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Tools You Will Need For This Recipe:

• Measuring spoons

• Small mixing bowl

• Whisk or spoon

• Airtight jar or spice container: I love Weck jars, anchor hocking jars, or mason jars

• Fine-mesh sieve (optional)

• Labels or tags (optional): I love my label maker.

• Spice grinder (optional): I believe a coffee grinder would also work.

Ingredients for Homemade Chai Spice Blend

Here’s what you’ll need to create your new chai spice blend:

• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Cardamom
• Cloves
• Allspice
• Nutmeg
• Black pepper

Optional ingredients and favorite spices for added complexity: 

• Star anise
• Vanilla powder
• A touch of orange peel
• Some people even add fennel seeds or citrus fruits for brightness.

Each ingredient contributes its own unique character. Green cardamom pods bring floral notes, while fresh ginger adds warmth and depth of flavor. Combined in the right proportions of powdered aromatic spices, this specific kind of blend becomes your kitchen’s secret to cozy comfort.

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How to Make the Blend

If you’re starting with ground spices, here’s the simple process to create your homemade chai blend:

1. Gather all your spices. Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and black pepper.
2. Measure each spice carefully. Use half teaspoons as a starting point, then adjust to taste depending on how bold or mild you like your blend.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine all of your ground spices until evenly blended.
4. Whisk or stir thoroughly to break up any clumps and ensure a consistent texture throughout the mix.
5. Taste and tweak if desired. Add a bit more ginger for heat, or a touch of cinnamon for sweetness.
6. Transfer your finished chai spice blend into an airtight jar or tin. Make sure and label it.
7. Store it away from heat and direct sunlight (your spice rack or spice cabinet is perfect). Properly stored, it will stay fragrant and flavorful for up to six months.

Cozy Drink Ideas Using Chai Spice

Once your blend is ready, there are countless cozy ways to use it:

• Chai Tea Latte: Brew strong black tea with a tea bag, then whisk in hot milk and a spoonful of chai spice blend. Sweeten with maple syrup for a creamy, soothing drink.
• Dirty Chai Latte: Combine espresso and chai for a caffeine kick and a winning combination that warms you from the inside out.
• Chai Hot Chocolate: Add your diy chai spice mix to cocoa into a cup milk for a spiced twist on a classic.
• Chai Smoothie: Blend banana, oats, and almond milk with a sprinkle of chai for a healthy start to your day.
• Chai-Infused Oatmeal or Overnight Oats: Stir a pinch of chai spice into your morning oats for extra comfort.

Each variation of hot tea drink offers a surprising change of pace from your regular drinks, adding warmth and complexity without much sugar.

Creative Ways to Use Chai Spice Powder Beyond Drinks

Your homemade chai spice blend doesn’t have to stay in the mug! Sprinkle it into holiday baking… like cookies, quick breads, or muffins. It will add a cozy aroma. Add a little chai spice blend to sweet potatoes or a simple vinegar dressing for unexpected flavor.

For something truly special, try dusting it over ice cream, blending it into morning coffee, or rubbing it onto slow-cooked ribs for an adventurous twist. You can even mix it into your own spice mixes for savory dishes that call for spicy warmth.

Because it’s such a versatile spice, you’ll find it works great in both sweet and savory recipes, like a wide range of non-tea recipes that bring comfort and extra flavor to your table.

Pair a Chai Spiced Drink with these White Chocolate Sourdough Scones. Perfect for tea time!

Storing + Gifting Your Chai Spice Blend

Keep your homemade chai spice mix in a small jar or tin, stored away from direct sunlight to preserve its aroma. It’s the perfect addition to your spice rack, and it makes a lovely handmade gift.

For the holidays, portion your blend into decorative jars and pair them with own spice mixes or printable recipe cards. I love the look of Weck jars. Add a tag featuring ideas like “Add to your hot latte”. A little creativity transforms your blend into a thoughtful seasonal gift!

Enjoy this free printable gift recipe card to pair when gifting this chai spice blend!

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Enjoy This Homemade Chai Spice Blend

There’s something timeless about chai. It connects us across cultures, from traditional Indian chai to modern comfort drinks. Making your own homemade chai spice blend is about more than flavor. It’s a chance to slow down, savor the moment, and find joy in small, meaningful rituals.

Stir it into warm milk, sprinkle it on oats, or add to a batch of cookies, chai brings coziness to the season. So if you’re a chai lover, go ahead and reach for your favorite jar, blend your spices, and enjoy this simple way to fill your home with warmth, one fragrant spoonful at a time.

From one home cook to another, I hope you enjoy this recipe!

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