Spiced Chai Syrup

  • 12 whole star anise pods
  • 1 1/3 cup sugar or honey
  • 1/4 cup chopped, unpeeled fresh ginger
  • 1 TB cardamom pods, coarsely ground
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1 TB dried orange rind
  • 1-2 TB dried licorice root, optional
  • 4 cups milk or soy milk, steaming hot
  • 4 bags black or green tea, optional

Tired of going to a coffee shop to get your chai fix and looking to make your own drinks at home?  Try this recipe!  Works great for chai tea (directions included at the bottom) but it goes just as well on vanilla ice cream or paired with cheese!

In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients (except the steamed milk and teas bags, if using) along with 4 cups of water.  Heat over medium heat, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, uncovered.  Strain the liquid through a sieve into a large bowl.  Let cool completely.  Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.
To serve four, mix 1/2 cup of the chai syrup with 4 cups of steamed hot milk.  A tea bag may be added to the hot milk and chai syrup in each cup for Chai Tea.

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