Iced Vanilla Coconut Chai Blend: Summer’s Favorite Drink

This Iced Vanilla Coconut Chai is a caffeine-free alternative to one of Summer’s favorite iced drinks. It can be made two ways: all at once in a chilled pitcher for anytime you want some – or one perfect glass at a time.

Iced Vanilla Coconut Chai Recipe

Ingredients

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 cinnamon sticks, crushed
6 cardamom pods, crushed
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Option 1:  Make at once!

Fill a saucepan with 4 cups of filtered water. Add all ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons or more of your favorite sweetener and 1 cup of your favorite milk or non-dairy milk alternative, if desired, then finish with 2 cups of ice to cool. Store in a pitcher in your refrigerator. Enjoy each glass over ice.

Option 2:  Make one cup at a time

Cut the vanilla bean into ½ inch pieces. Place the cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods in a spice grinder and pulse to break up into smaller pieces. Stir together vanilla bean pieces, crushed cinnamon and cardamom, and shredded coconut, and store in a glass jar in your cabinet. When desired, steep 1 heaping tablespoon in 1 cup of just-boiled water for 5-10 minutes. Add sweetener and milk as desired, and pour over 1 cup of ice.

Originally posted 2014-08-15 21:51:23.