Karak Chai Recipe
Karak Chai is a rich, creamy spiced milk tea made with black tea, milk, sugar, and warming spices. Known for its bold flavor and smooth texture, this comforting tea is popular in India and across the Gulf region.
This easy Karak Chai recipe shows you how to make café-style chai at home with simple ingredients in just minutes. It’s sweet, fragrant, and perfect for cozy mornings or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Once you try a hot cup of homemade Karak Chai, you’ll see why so many people enjoy it every day.
What Is Karak Chai?
Karak Chai is a rich, strong spiced milk tea made with black tea, milk, sugar, and warming spices. The word karak means “strong,” referring to its bold tea flavor and full-bodied taste.
Originally inspired by Indian chai, Karak Chai became especially popular across the Gulf region, where it’s enjoyed daily in cafés, restaurants, and homes.
I still remember the best Karak Chai I had as a teen in Mumbai—thick, creamy milk and perfectly balanced spices. That unforgettable cup is the reason I still make Karak Chai at home today.
Why You’ll Love This Karak Chai Recipe
- Simple ingredients: You only need a few pantry staples like tea, milk, sugar, and spices.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the sweetness, tea strength, or spice level to make it exactly how you like it.
- Warm and comforting: Rich, creamy, and full of cozy flavor, this tea is perfect for chilly mornings or relaxing afternoons. It’s delicious year-round and can even be served iced.
- Always a crowd favorite: Karak Chai is a drink people remember. My family and friends love it, and every cup brings back warm memories.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make rich and creamy Karak Chai at home:
- Water: Used to steep the tea and spices.
- Evaporated milk: Gives Karak Chai its signature rich, creamy texture. For a dairy-free version, use oat milk or another creamy plant-based milk.
- Black tea: Strong black tea works best. Assam tea is ideal for bold flavor, but regular black tea bags also work well.
- Cardamom pods: Add classic warm, fragrant flavor. Lightly crush before using.
- Cloves: Add depth and subtle sweetness.
- Fresh ginger: Brings warmth and a gentle spicy kick. Ground ginger can be used in a pinch.
- Sugar: White sugar is traditional, but adjust to taste.
Tip: For the best flavor, use whole spices and lightly crush them before simmering.
Tips for the Best Karak Chai
- Use fresh spices: Cardamom and ginger give the best flavor. You can also add cinnamon or cloves for variation.
- Use full-fat evaporated milk: It creates the rich, creamy texture Karak Chai is known for.
- Don’t over-steep the tea: Brewing too long can make the tea bitter.
- Adjust to taste: Add more tea for a stronger cup or more milk for a creamier version.
How to Make Karak Chai
Step 1
Add water, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
Step 2
Add sugar and tea bags (or loose black tea). Lower the heat and simmer for 1 minute.
Step 3
Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let the tea steep for 1 minute.
Step 4
Add the evaporated milk and return to a gentle boil. Simmer for 1 minute until rich and fragrant.
Step 5
Strain into cups and serve hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different spices?
Yes. Cardamom and ginger are classic, but you can also add cinnamon, cloves, fennel, or star anise. Start with a small amount so the tea stays balanced.
What kind of ginger works best?
Fresh ginger gives the boldest flavor and best aroma. Ground ginger can be used in a pinch, but the taste will be milder.
Do I have to use Assam tea?
No. Assam tea is ideal because it has a strong, rich flavor, but any good black tea works well.
Can I make Karak Chai ahead of time?
Karak Chai tastes best freshly made, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Is Karak Chai very sweet?
Traditional Karak Chai is usually sweet, but you can easily adjust the sugar to your taste.
Best Snacks to Serve with Karak Chai
Karak Chai pairs perfectly with savory snacks and flaky breads. Try it with one of these favorites:
- Indian Bread Paratha.
- Flaky Chicken Samosa.
- Punjabi Aloo Samosa.
- Kerala Paratha Recipe.
- Crispy Onion Pakora.
Watch me make some Karak Chai!
Karak Chai (Indian Strong Tea)
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cup water
- 6 tablespoons evaporated milk
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 4 whole cardamom crushed
- 2 whole clove
- 2 slices of ginger About an inch each.
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 inch stick of cinnamon
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add 2 1/2 cup water water, 2 slices of ginger, 2 inch stick of cinnamon, 4 whole cardamom crushed, and 2 whole clove.
- When the water comes to a boil, add 4 teaspoons sugar and 4 black tea bags, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for 1 minute.
- Turn off the heat and cover the tea. Let it steep for one minute.
- Add 6 tablespoons evaporated milk and bring the tea to a boil. Let it boil for 1 minute.
- Strain the tea and serve it hot.
Notes
- Tea is very delicate, letting it boil for a long time will change its taste and reduce the flavor.
- Steeping the tea is the best way to let the flavor of the spices and tea come together, so don’t skip this step.
- You can reduce the calories by reducing the amount of sugar and using low-fat evaporated milk.
- Make it vegan by using almond or oat milk.
- This post was originally published in 2014. It is updated with a video, new images, and more information.
Nutrition
I am not used to having tea with milk…always plain. Now I am tempted to give it a try again!
Give it a try Angie, you’ll love it 🙂
I just made your karak tea, used 1/4 regular milk and powdered cloves because that’s all I have. Turned delicious and simple to make. I sent it to my daughter to try. Thank you.
Hi Anna, thanks a lot for trying my recipe, I appreciate it 😊
I met one Indian man , he is expert in making karak chai…
he told me these steps, it is the same mentioned above but with some different.
1) put cardamom with water and let it boiled for 5 minutes.
2) add Indian black tea then boil again for more 2 minutes.
3) add the clove and ginger and let it boil for more 2 minute.
4) stop boiling, then add evaporated milk and wait for 2 minute, then let it to start boiling again for 5 minute.
you will have a strong delicious taste.
I’d love to give it a try and see how different it is in taste, although it sounds delicious already 🙂 … Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this recipe ^-^
Okay this great, not so spicy, i make it way spicy, but I like your version, i guess evaporated milk will taste better! need to buy some!
I use whole regular milk most of the time, and yes I can make mine very spicy too especially when it’s raining outside 🙂
Just found your site. Yum! Your Karak Chai is wonderful. Had friends from the Punjab who taught me some wonderful recipes from India, adding your tea & other goodies I find here on your site to my recipe file! Thank you & blessing always 😺
Hi Mare, Thank you so much for your comment 🙂 I’m glad that you and your guests enjoyed my recipes!
Hi dear. I have loose black tea. How much should I put? By the way I love your Arabic Chicken Stew and my family loves it too. 😊
Hi, Thanks for trying my recipes 😊. For this karak chai recipe you will need 4 1/2 teaspoon black loose tea. Hope this helped!