04.13.2020
Specialty Coffee and Tea Recipes
Quick spiced coffee and tea recipes: dalgona, chai, turmeric latte, Thai iced tea, and canela with tips, frothing hacks, and swaps.
- Use pantry spices to transform plain coffee and tea into café-style drinks with simple tools.
- You can froth milk without a steamer using an immersion blender, whisk, or jar and elbow grease.
- Swap milks, sweeteners, and spices to suit taste or diet; store spices airtight and use them fresh.
With the tea and coffee you have lying around the pantry, fresh spices and a little creativity will have you donning a barista’s apron in no time. These are a few of our favorite spiced drink recipes and tips to elevate your AM beverages.
Dalgona Coffee
This Korean-style whipped coffee has become a social media phenomenon, and for good reason. It is easy to make and truly indulgent. We used our fine espresso powder instead of regular instant coffee for some extra kick in flavor and caffeine.
Easy Chai Latte
Don’t have a coffee steamer? No problem! You can make frothy latte foam with an immersion blender or simple whisk. Chai Spice mix dissolves easily into warm milk, making for a quick and delicious warm beverage. For an iced chai latte, chill the milk after you dissolve the chai mix, combine with chilled tea, and serve over ice.
Turmeric Tea Latte
Sort of a twist on golden milk, this tea drink’s flavor is reminiscent of honey-nut breakfast cereal. Warm notes from turmeric, sweet raw honey, and steamed almond milk create a soothing and restorative beverage.
Thai Iced Tea
Thai iced tea gets its characteristic flavors from star anise and orange flower water. We went one step further with real vanilla bean and Ceylon cinnamon. For a more tropical take on this beverage, try using coconut milk instead of milk or cream.
Canela Tea
Although simple, this cinnamon tea recipe is delicious and calming. Ceylon cinnamon is light, citrusy, and commonly made into tea when not used in baking or desserts. This is this most popular cinnamon in Mexico, where it is called, “canela.”
If you have questions about spices, or have a spiced drink recipe you would like to share, email us at spice@thespicehouse.com or leave a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dalgona coffee and how do I make it at home?
Dalgona is a whipped coffee layered over milk. Whisk equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water (a common measure is 2 tablespoons each) until thick and frothy, then spoon over milk and stir. Instant coffee whips easiest, but a fine espresso powder can add more flavor. Use an electric mixer for fastest results or a vigorous hand whisk for 5 to 10 minutes.
How can I froth milk without a coffee steamer?
Heat milk until warm but not boiling. Use an immersion blender for quick, creamy foam, or whisk vigorously by hand for a minute or two. For a no-tool option, shake warm milk in a sealed jar until frothy. Cold milk froths best with a little fat or a dairy alternative labeled barista-style.
How do I make an iced chai latte?
Dissolve chai spice mix into warm milk, then chill. Combine the chilled spiced milk with strong chilled tea over ice and sweeten to taste. This keeps spice flavor even and prevents graininess from undissolved spices.
What goes into a turmeric tea latte and any tips for absorption?
A turmeric latte mixes turmeric with warm milk, a sweetener like raw honey, and often warming spices like ginger or cinnamon. Add a pinch of black pepper and a bit of fat from milk or a milk alternative to help your body absorb curcumin, the active compound in turmeric.
How do I make Thai iced tea at home?
Brew strong black tea with spices such as star anise and cinnamon, and add a touch of vanilla or orange flower water if you like. Sweeten while hot, chill, then pour over ice and top with condensed milk, cream, or coconut milk for a rich finish.
What is canela tea and how do I brew it?
Canela tea is a simple cinnamon infusion made with Ceylon cinnamon sticks. Simmer the sticks in water 10 to 15 minutes for a fragrant, mild tea. Sweeten if desired and add a slice of citrus or a splash of milk for variation.
What dairy alternatives and sweeteners work best in these drinks?
Almond, oat, and coconut milks all work well. Use barista-style or full-fat versions for better foam and mouthfeel. For sweeteners try honey, simple syrup, or sweetened condensed milk for Thai tea. Adjust amounts to taste and note honey is not safe for infants under 1 year.
How should I store spices and spice mixes for these recipes?
Keep spices and mixes in airtight containers away from light, heat, and moisture. Whole spices last longest; ground spices stay best for about six months to a year. Label jars with date opened and replace spices when aroma fades.
What is dalgona coffee and how do I make it at home?
Dalgona is a whipped coffee layered over milk. Whisk equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water (a common measure is 2 tablespoons each) until thick and frothy, then spoon over milk and stir. Instant coffee whips easiest, but a fine espresso powder can add more flavor. Use an electric mixer for fastest results or a vigorous hand whisk for 5 to 10 minutes.
How can I froth milk without a coffee steamer?
Heat milk until warm but not boiling. Use an immersion blender for quick, creamy foam, or whisk vigorously by hand for a minute or two. For a no-tool option, shake warm milk in a sealed jar until frothy. Cold milk froths best with a little fat or a dairy alternative labeled barista-style.
How do I make an iced chai latte?
Dissolve chai spice mix into warm milk, then chill. Combine the chilled spiced milk with strong chilled tea over ice and sweeten to taste. This keeps spice flavor even and prevents graininess from undissolved spices.
What goes into a turmeric tea latte and any tips for absorption?
A turmeric latte mixes turmeric with warm milk, a sweetener like raw honey, and often warming spices like ginger or cinnamon. Add a pinch of black pepper and a bit of fat from milk or a milk alternative to help your body absorb curcumin, the active compound in turmeric.
How do I make Thai iced tea at home?
Brew strong black tea with spices such as star anise and cinnamon, and add a touch of vanilla or orange flower water if you like. Sweeten while hot, chill, then pour over ice and top with condensed milk, cream, or coconut milk for a rich finish.
What is canela tea and how do I brew it?
Canela tea is a simple cinnamon infusion made with Ceylon cinnamon sticks. Simmer the sticks in water 10 to 15 minutes for a fragrant, mild tea. Sweeten if desired and add a slice of citrus or a splash of milk for variation.
What dairy alternatives and sweeteners work best in these drinks?
Almond, oat, and coconut milks all work well. Use barista-style or full-fat versions for better foam and mouthfeel. For sweeteners try honey, simple syrup, or sweetened condensed milk for Thai tea. Adjust amounts to taste and note honey is not safe for infants under 1 year.
How should I store spices and spice mixes for these recipes?
Keep spices and mixes in airtight containers away from light, heat, and moisture. Whole spices last longest; ground spices stay best for about six months to a year. Label jars with date opened and replace spices when aroma fades.
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