Masala Chai with Dates

A cozy, spiced masala chai naturally sweetened with dates. Made with black tea, warming spices, and no added sugar—smooth, bold, and comforting.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: people

Calories: 140kcal

In a large saucepan, add the water, ginger, peppercorns, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, and chopped dates.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes so the flavors and sweetness fully develop.
Add the tea and simmer for another 3–5 minutes.
Pour in the milk (along with the saffron and its soaking milk if using) and bring it gently to a boil again.
Strain the chai through a fine mesh sieve into cups or a teapot.
Serve hot and enjoy the comforting blend of spices and natural date sweetness.

Use fresh, soft dates: Medjool dates work best because they melt easily into the chai. If your dates are a bit dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before adding.
Spice strength is flexible: Like it bolder? Add more black pepper or an extra cinnamon stick. Prefer it gentler? Use fewer cardamom pods or skip the cloves.
No tea strainer? A fine mesh sieve works just as well to strain out the spices and tea leaves.
Milk matters: Whole milk gives the creamiest texture, but feel free to use oat or almond milk for a vegan version. Just don't boil plant-based milk too hard—it can split.
Make ahead tip: You can simmer the spice-and-date base in advance, then just reheat with tea and milk when you're ready for a cup.
Want it stronger? Let the tea steep longer before adding the milk, or cover the pan while simmering to trap the heat.
Saffron is subtle: Don’t expect it to steal the show—it just adds a delicate floral warmth in the background.
Balance sweetness to taste: Dates vary in sweetness. If your batch isn’t quite sweet enough, add an extra one or two—or stir in a splash of date syrup at the end.
Double or batch it: This recipe scales well! Make a big pot and keep leftovers in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat gently.
Chai is forgiving: Forgot a spice? No stress. Masala chai is personal and flexible - you can always adjust it to suit your mood or what you have on hand.