Chai Spiced Coconut Milk (dairy-free)
Chai spiced coconut milk is like hug in a mug. The warming chai spices will heat you from the inside out and provide heaps of anti-inflammatory health benefits. It’s a great drink for cold and dreary weather.
I use coconut milk in this recipe, but you could also use my homemade almond milk or cashew milk.
Chai Spiced Coconut Milk
In the middle of winter I love warming up with this all things chai. From a classic chai latte to this chai spiced coconut milk. And believe me when I say, it warms you from the inside out with a blend of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and star anise. It’s like a warm hug in a mug.
In addition to the dairy-free coconut milk I add quite a bit of fresh ginger. Because well, I LOVE fresh ginger. Ginger is not only warming, it stimulates circulation so it’s perfect on a day when I’ve become a frozen to the bones.
Ginger is also anti-inflammatory and immune boosting (along with many of the other spices used), which makes this chai spiced coconut milk perfect for the winter months when coughs and colds start making their rounds. Nobody’s got time to get sick, right?!
The Best Way to Peel Ginger
You could use dried ginger in this recipe but if you have fresh ginger that’s best. To peel fresh ginger just use the edge of a spoon and scrape the skin off the ginger. It really is that easy!
How to Make Chai Spiced Coconut Milk
After you’ve peeled the ginger, toss all the ingredients together in a pot on medium heat. Bring it to a boil, then pour the mixture into a high-powered blender, like my favorite Vitamix. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until nice and frothy! Then just pour the Chai Spiced Coconut Milk into a cup and drink your warm hug. Enjoy!
More Delicious Drink Recipes
Chai Spiced Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 13.5 oz coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1-2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped (depending how spicy you like it)
- 4 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 star anise
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 pinches cardamom
- 1 pinch cloves
- extra whole star anise for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a pot on medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Use a spoon to remove the whole star anise. Pour the remaining ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend for one minute, or until smooth.
- Serve in mugs and garnish with extra whole star anise.
Lisa’s Tips
- If you’re looking for new mugs, I love my white mugs from Crate and Barrel.
Nutrition
Recipe originally posted January 2016, but updated to include new information.
I have a question is this coconut milk from a can or the non-dairy milk kind that is sold in a tetra pack carton?
Hi Lisa – I used canned coconut milk in this recipe, though you could really use either. Enjoy!
I have a Vitamix blender, so can I put all the ingredients in the blender for approximately 3-5 mins and skip the stovetop? This recipe looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it!!
Yes, no problem!
This is the recipe I’ve been looking for. Can’t wait to try it. I have ground Anise instead of star. Is a half teaspoon of ground close to one star anise?
Thanks
Where has this recipe been all my life?! I ran across it yesterday and made it immediately. This morning I am enjoying it in my coffee. As someone who follows an anti-inflammatory protocol this is just what the doctor ordered. Thank you!
So glad you’re loving this chai spiced coconut milk! I also have a chai latte that is a bit similar but uses black tea as the base instead.
Delicious! I figured out why it didn’t blend properly for me the first time. I used non pitted Medjool dates. Lol
Oh no! Lol. Well glad you got it figured out for a successful second try! ;)
This was delicious!! I am extremely picky with chai and this turned out soo good. The perfect amount of spice and sweetness. Used oat milk instead of coconut and it turned out fantastic! Also strained it since the added ginger and dates made it kinda thick.
Made this yesterday. Love the blend of spices. I had bits of ginger in the cup though. I blended in my Vitamix for a minute so wondering if I chopped the ginger too small? Thoughts?
Hi Libby – happy you loved it! For the bits of ginger, it might just depend on the power of your blender. But you can always strain the chai to remove those little bits if you’d like.
Loved it! Super close to what I had in India as every household makes Chai differently and adds there own spices. I have made this a few times and even made it with loose black tea which was wonderful! Thank you
Happy to hear this chai tea always hits the spot Jenny :)
Oh, I Love chai, so happy to see this. I have Dr. Terry Wahl’s book and she uses a lot of coconut milk so I have plenty! Tomorrow morning I have a meeting with your recipe :-)
Hope you love this chai coconut milk Lynn!
I’ve been looking for a recipe to drink that has ginger in it for the anti inflammatory benefits. I was blown away at how delicious this was. It was simple to throw together and made enough for 2 large servings or 3 small. Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to drink daily and see improvement with my body!
Glad you enjoyed this chai spiced coconut milk! It’s definitely a delicious way to incorporate ginger.
Awesome!!!!!
Glad you loved this one Deb!
Just made the spiced chai coconut milk. It is delicious. I did not have star anise so put in a pinch of Five Spice Powder and used only 3 dates. Could have probably cut it back to 2 dates and still been sweet enough for me. I think this would be a very relaxing evening drink as well without the caffeine.
Glad you enjoyed this chai spiced coconut milk Jenny :)
Love in my tummy is how I’d describe this. An outstanding hug in a mug to warm & soothe the soul – especially on a gray drizzly windy Sunday in MN.
Hi Fiona – I think that sounds like a pretty good description to me. :) I’m glad you enjoyed it!
In your description you say it has turmeric…. But it’s not listed in the ingredients. How much do I add?
Hi Matt – Thanks for catching that! There’s actually no turmeric in this recipe. So you can just follow the ingredients as is :)
Delicious!! No sugar and no caffein. Love your recipes! :)
Thanks for the kind comment Tomo! I’m glad enjoyed the chai spiced coconut milk. :)
It came out really well. Thank you for this delicious recipe.
Wonderful! Glad you loved this recipe Ankita :)
This sounds delicious! If I can make a big batch, do you know how long it will keep in the fridge? Thank you!
Hi Mel – it should last for up to 5 days in the fridge if you use canned coconut milk. If you use a homemade nut milk, it might be closer to 3-4 days. Hope you enjoy it!
Do you ever used canned coconut milk?
Yes, that’s what I mainly use for coconut milk. The brand I use is linked on the Shop page on my website.
I love this idea! I’m going to make a cup right now… I live in rainy Seattle and this is the antidote to our weather. Thank you, Lisa!
This is one of my favorite cold winter drinks and it would be perfect for that rainy Seattle weather. Hope you love it!
I love warm beverages that aren’t coffee, like this chai-spiced coconut milk! Im sure it warms my heart just a much as my body :)
This is a great alternative to coffee! Hope you enjoy! :) x
We’re in the middle of summer here in Australia, but even during our winters it doesn’t get terribly cold – it’s funny, electric blankets are practically unheard of! But it’s a rainy day today so I think I’m going to use that as an excuse to make this, haha :) Love your photography by the way! :)
Rain is totally a legitimate excuse! In fact, you could even drink this chilled over ice (yum!). And thanks so much for the photography compliment Amy! :) x
I have chronically cold feet, cold hands, AND a cold nose. I’ve been that way since I was a wee one. I always used to crawl in my dad’s lap & tuck my face in his neck. He’d always respond, “GeeeOwww that’s a cold nose!” He never made me stop nuzzling, though. :)
This morning it’s a dreary, foggy 55F in Richmond, TX. Not bad compared to other parts of the US & it’ll warm up to a sunny 71F by 3. Good thing, because I’ll be cleaning out the garage & taking stuff to a resale shop or throwing out what’s broken or beyond “gently used.”
This was the perfect way to begin the morning (beats laundry & dishes, although they need attention as well).
Thanks, Lisa; it’s delicious! (& my cup is now empty)
xo
Oh, I used almond milk since that’s what I had on hand.
Chai spiced coconut milk wins over laundry and dishes….always!! Hope it helped to warm up your extremities as well! ;) xo
This sounds AMAZING!!! I will definitely be making this very soon! :) Thank you so much for the recipe!!
Your welcome Kate! I’m all about spreading the happy chai coconut milk vibes. :) x
Such a wonderful, warming beverage for these cold temperatures! I’m in Ohio, so it’s definitely wintertime here, haha.
Ooooh, you definitely need a warming beverage (more so than me!). Ha! :) x