Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Chai Latte

Image: 16 ounce glass mug filled with a chai tea flavored with pumpkin spice and warm milk.

Description: Here is a tasty decaffinated pumpkin flavored fall herbal tea latte that I enjoy when the pumpkin inspired foods and drinks begin to make their rounds in my seasonal fall cooking!

Yield: Recipe makes 1 – 16 ounce drink

Ingredients:

• 2 bag Numi Brand Rooibos Chai Tea (or preferred high quality rooibos chai tea)

• 1 ½ cups water

• 4 ounces milk for frothing

• 1 - 2 tablespoon pumpkin spice syrup, to taste

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• 1 thumb size nugget gingerroot, peeled and sliced

• ¼ teaspoon whole cardamom pods

• Pinch nutmeg, for topping

Directions:

Add water, cinnamon stick, cloves, ginger, and cardamom to a small pot. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with lid. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by about 1/2.

While the spices are steeping, add the tea bags to an 8 oz mug and set aside.

Add the milk and pumpkin syrup to another small saucepan and heat uncovered on low, stirring occasionally to dissolve the syrup into the milk. Keep milk warm until ready to serve.

Once your spices have steeped, turn off the stove and immediately pour the steeping liquid over the tea bags, and steep according to the length of time given on the tea directions.

After steeping, press the tea bags against the side of the cup with a spoon to release the full flavor of the tea bags. This will create the unsweetened chai tea concentrate for the latte.

By now the milk has slowly warmed enough. Use a milk frother to froth the milk . Alternatively, you can use a whisk to vigorously whisk the milk until it gets frothy on the top.

Add the milk to the mug. Pour the foam on top of the latte. Add nutmeg. Enjoy!