5 Tea Recipes You Can Easily Enjoy at Home

From hot to chilled and in every variety imaginable, there’s sure to be a specialty tea out there just for you! Warm up with a book, chill out by the pool, or impress your next houseguest with a truly international creation. There’s no doubt, tea is taking over – and we have some innovative ways to enjoy a homemade brew right in your home.

Stir it, mix it, shake it! These DIY tea recipes offer everything you need to sit back and relax.

1. A Charming Chai Tea

It’s easy to make a traditional chai latte or iced chai right on your stovetop with spices you have at home. Choose a cooler version for the summer or heat it up for something comforting as the weather turns chilly. Here’s how to make a simple chai at home:

• Create the chai flavor by combining 2 cinnamon sticks, 4-5 star anise pods, 6 peppercorns, a pinch of whole cardamom seed, whole dried ginger and a pinch of nutmeg with milk or water.
• Let boil for 5 minutes or longer for a stronger flavor.
• Strain to remove seeds and whole ingredients and add your favorite bag of black tea to suit.

For a different version of this, let it chill in a pitcher in your fridge and add ice to serve. Need a pick-me-up? For a dirty chai latte, add a shot of freshly brewed espresso for a boost!

2. DIY Boba

You may have heard it called boba tea, jelly tea or bubble tea! If you don’t have a boba tea shop near you, why not experience it at home? You may be lucky enough to find a simple boba kit in your local grocery store but even if you don’t, there are ways you can make bubble tea yourself.

• Find a DIY kit with the tapioca boba pearls. You can visit a local Asian food store or order the pearls online.
• Add your boba pearls to boiling hot water and wait for them to float to the surface, then remove and let them sit for a few minutes
• Strain and sweeten them with brown sugar if needed and add them to your favorite iced milk tea!

The most popular flavors are black tea, matcha or taro but any herbal tea blend will do. Expert tip: make sure the pearls are totally cooled off before adding and plan to use them within the next 24 hours or they’ll lose their texture.

3. London Fog Latte

You’ve seen it at your local Starbucks – the London Fog latte is a deliciously creamy version of Earl Grey - and it’s easy to make it yourself! In fact, you likely have all the ingredients you need already in your pantry. Here’s how to make it:

• First, brew your favorite hot Earl Grey tea as normal and set it aside.
• Grab your favorite mug and place some vanilla and honey at the bottom to suit your desired strength of sweetness.
• Whisk your milk to create a frothy topping for your London Fog.

Pour the tea into your mug first, followed by the frothy milk, sip and enjoy!

4. Iced Tea Lemonade

Also commonly known as the Arnold Palmer, this summer favorite is the perfect go-to for a sweltering hot day outdoors. You’ll need a pitcher, a frozen concentrated or fresh-squeezed lemonade as a base and your favorite tea to mix.

• First fill a large pitcher about halfway with your chilled lemonade.
• Brew your tea of choice – favorite accompaniments include Earl Grey, breakfast blends or green tea blends.
• Mix the two and chill in the refrigerator with some honey, orange slices or raspberries to garnish and add a twist.

Making iced tea lemonade at home is pretty basic but it’s easy to create your own twist on this one by adding additional fruit and herbs to the pitcher.

5. Heineken or Tiger Green Tea

For a tea with a little buzz, add this one to your repertoire! It sounds strange, but Heineken (or Tiger) Green Tea is a very popular and refreshing beverage in Taiwan and some other Asian countries.

• Create your own version by beginning with your basic green tea brew.
• Pour the tea into a cup or pitcher halfway and top it off with your desired ratio of Heineken or Tiger beer.
• Add a bit of boba if you want to really wow a guest!

Locals like to sip this tea drink as they peruse the night market or enjoy the beverage socially with friends.

It’s time to up your tea game, so get ready to try some unique versions of your favorite tea shop drinks and some global trends too!