This chai recipe may become your favorite (paleo or keto drink). Learn how to make it + what does: (Yerba Mate, Masala, and Chai) mean?
Yerba Mate Masala Chai. Those are 4 words that you may hear frequently (either together or individually) and have maybe never considered what the words mean or how it translates to English.
What is Yerba Mate?
Yerba Mate is an herbal tea that is native to South America. It has small amounts of caffeine, approximately 40mg per serving (or one tea bag). This is a great option for people who do not want to/cannot drink black or green tea and who also don’t want as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
What is Masala?
Masala translates to the word “spiced”. More specifically, a certain combination of Indian spices, not just any spices. These spices typically include cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, black peppercorn, and ginger.
What is Chai?
Chai translates to the word “tea”. So if you’ve ever heard anyone say that they enjoy drinking chai tea, they are saying they enjoy “tea tea”.
Now that you know what the words mean, you know exactly what this recipe is: a spiced drink made with an herbal tea that has a low caffeine content.
How to Sweeten Yerba Mate Masala Chai
PALEO OPTION: As for sweetening this drink, I’ve used a variety of options. If we’re not overly concerned about carbs, honey is our favorite option.
KETO OPTION: If you are concerned about carbs, I like to use the Puremade Torani Syrup (in Vanilla). I find it has a better taste than the regular sugar-free Torani and a cleaner ingredient list.
Clean Ingredient Spiced Tea Drink
Making this 5-ingredient spiced tea drink is very simple:
- Combine the milk, water, and Chai Spice Blend in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent the bottom from scalding.
- Add the Yerba Mate to the saucepan and reduce the heat to low, letting the tea steep for 5 minutes.
- Place a fine mesh sieve, lined with cheesecloth, over a heat-safe bowl or glass jar. Pour the brewed chai into the strainer. Discard the spice blend and tea. Add your sweetener to the tea and stir until fully dissolved.
- Divide the chai between three 8-oz mugs and enjoy while still hot.
Yerba Mate Masala Chai (sugar-free)
Ingredients
- 12 oz Almond Milk (see notes)
- 12 oz Water
- 2 Tbsp Cardnl Chai Spice Blend
- 3 Yerba Mate Tea Bags (or 2 Tbsp loose tea), see notes
- One Sweetener Option, below
Sweetener Options (choose only one)
- 2 Tbsp Cardnl Salted Caramel Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Honey
- 2 Tbsp Torani Puremade Zero Sugar Sweetener
Instructions
- Combine the milk, water, and Chai Spice Blend in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent the bottom from scalding.
- Add the Yerba Mate to the saucepan and reduce the heat to low, letting the tea steep for 5 minutes.
- Place a fine mesh sieve, lined with cheesecloth, over a heat-safe bowl or glass jar. Pour the brewed chai into the strainer. Discard the spice blend and tea. Add your sweetener to the tea and stir until fully dissolved.
- Divide the chai between three 8-oz mugs and enjoy while still hot.
- Leftovers can be stored in a tightly-sealed glass jar in the fridge.
Notes
- If you don't want to use almond milk, our next favorite option is 6 ounces of heavy cream and an additional 6oz of water (this will also increase the fat content)
- If you would like more caffeine, double the amount of tea you brew. Each bag of yerba mate has about 40mg of caffeine.