Hazelnut Chai Cold Brew
Hazelnut Chai Cold Brew
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons loose leaf chai tea
1/4 cup roasted hazelnuts
4 cups cold water
2 tablespoons honey or sweetener of your choice (optional)
1/2 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
Ice cubes
Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
Begin by lightly crushing the roasted hazelnuts to release their flavors. You can do this by placing them in a plastic bag and gently pounding them with a rolling pin or using a mortar and pestle.
In a large pitcher or jar, combine the loose leaf chai tea and crushed hazelnuts.
Pour the cold water into the pitcher, ensuring that the tea and hazelnuts are fully submerged. Give it a gentle stir to mix the ingredients.
Cover the pitcher or jar and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the mixture to steep for at least 8 hours or overnight. This slow steeping process will infuse the flavors of the chai tea and hazelnuts into the cold brew.
Once the steeping time is complete, strain the cold brew mixture using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the tea leaves and hazelnut remnants. Discard the solids.
If desired, add honey or your preferred sweetener to the strained cold brew. Stir well to incorporate the sweetener.
Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the hazelnut chai cold brew over the ice.
Finish by adding your choice of milk to the glass. Stir gently to combine the flavors.
If desired, sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top for added aroma and visual appeal.
Serve your hazelnut chai cold brew immediately and enjoy the delightful blend of spicy chai flavors and nutty hazelnut notes.
Note: You can adjust the sweetness and milk ratio according to your taste preferences. Experiment with different variations and make this recipe your own.