I love the idea of giving this as a homemade holiday gift. It's incredibly yummy, unique and inexpensive to put together. If you have a tea lover in your life they will love this!
However, after making this up and taking a big little taste, I immediately decided this is not only for tea but would be the best ice cream syrup ever. Of course I had to experiment and immediately pulled out some old-fashioned vanilla. Wow, heaven in a bowl.
So either for tea or ice cream this is soooooooooo good.
Also, do not take my lead on wrapping here, this picture does not show how I am going to package this gift. If you are giving this to a tea lover, place a jar filled with concentrate in a beautiful teacup and saucer (purchase at Marshall's or Ross) and include some strong tea, such as Assam. Wrap in cellophane and include serving instructions. It will be adorable. If you are going to gift this as chai ice cream syrup, place concentrate in a cute ice cream bowl and tie an ice cream scoop to the outside of the cellophane. Again, very cute. For the bare minimum, cut a festive round circle out of fabric and tie on the top of the jar with some raffia and serving instructions.
I promise you everyone will love it.
In a medium-sized pouring vessel, such as a Pyrex measuring cup, add sweetened condensed milk, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
Mix until combined.
Chai Concentrate
Adapted from The Oregonian
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
In a medium-sized pouring vessel, such as a Pyrex measuring cup, add sweetened condensed milk, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Mix until combined. Store in the refrigerator.
To use: Brew a cup of strong black tea, such as Assam, then add two heaping teaspoons of concentrate or more to taste. Stir well until concentrate has fully melted. Or, pour over vanilla ice cream, it's absolutely delicious. Keep refrigerated.
To give: Pour into small jars (I used half pint jars, all but about 2 Tablespoons did not fit in this size jar) with lids and package decoratively. Attach a tag with instructions to keep the mix refrigerated and how to use it.
To keep: Store in refrigerator for up to 6 months.
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I LOVE this! I am definitely going to make some for gifts AND for me!
I am loving all your gift ideas! Keep ‘em coming.
This looks and sounds delicious. I am going to try this. My son just moved to Bakersfield, California from Georgia. Do you think he is going to like it!! I love your blog!
I’m going to try it . It sounds great and I love the idea of using it with ice cream. I have just the person to give it to.
Cheers
Great gift idea! Easy for me to make, and so many possibilities for wrapping. Thanks for this one. You are a genius! I cannot wait to try it. Do you have to keep it refrigerated?
This looks and sounds great! Maybe I’ll make this for myself =)
This is very tempting to start me back on making gifts prepared lovingly fom my home to yours.
I think I know who I’ll be gifting this to. That’d be me…I love chai!
You have the best ideas!
What a cool gift idea. I have people who love the tea route and others for the ice cream route. I am going to make some up. Thanks for all these ideas!
This is great, because I LOVE chai, but I can no longer have caffeine (migraines, ugh), so I had to give it up. Now I can keep this on hand with some decaf tea bags!
Now don’t I wish I was on your Christmas list. Also love the idea of the cup and saucer. I agive fudge. It’s expected. I think I end up making 50 pounds of it. People would be heart-broken, but I believe food (or wine) is the best kind of gift. Usually does not get regifted.
Cannot wait to drink your wine.
Do you have my address???
Can I be on your Christmas list???
Do you have my address???
Just in case you feel the need to expand your gift giving list
This is STUNNINGLY AWESOME, and I am so adding it to my canned gifts this year.
I’ve never had Chai before and this sounds so yummy, not to mention festive. I think my mom and sister really like it and this is just the thing to send!
Thanks for sharing such a great idea!
I am so hungry and this post did nothing to help with that at all. Especially since you said you tried it on ice cream.
This is now on my gift list.
Looks fantastic! I think this would go all over some ice cream – or maybe even some apple pie… making me hungry!
That sounds wonderful!
Can I give this to ME???
Oh. My. Word. I am so totally making this next week–just have to go into McMINNVILLE to do grocery shopping on Monday. DH and I will drink this up, literally.
I really enjoy your blog, especially b/c I’m right in Newberg and it’s so fun hearing about places I know of. As a teenager I babysat for several families who were involved in winemaking and other local foods, so what you’re doing is near to my heart. I’ve watched vineyard space grow exponentially over the past 25 years–including right in my growing-up “backyard” in the Red Hills (think Russell Fuqua and Allen & Sally Holstein). So glad you’re here and loving it!
Oh wow I love this! First I love chai and second I never met anything with condensed milk I didn’t like. I think homemade presents are always the best, because it shows you care and you take the time to please people you like
I just bought four cans of condensed milk at Costco. Now I know what I will do with them!
Thank you for this recipe – it’s such a great idea and I have many chai lovers who would adore this as a gift. Perfect and simple.
The recipe looked so amazing I had to try it. A half teaspoon of peppermint extract added an extra holiday touch.
I love anything I can serve on ice cream! This is a stellar idea!
I have never tried Chai Tea…I think I must and maybe after trying it I might decide to try this. I like the ideas for gift wrapping items for tea lovers.
A great idea, and I’ll make some for myself as well. Super thanks, dear Cathy
excellent idea, cathy. the only problem i foresee is that i wouldn’t end up giving any of it away!
Wow – super idea. Can’t wait to try it.
Who would have thunk? Since canned sweetened condensed milk is one of the tastiest inventions of last century, how can you go wrong with this recipe. Su-WEE, uh I mean Su-weet!
PERFECT teacher gifts!!!
This is such a nice idea! I just love Chai, it’s so warm and inviting.
What an awesome idea Cathy! I am making homemade baskets for my co-workers – including my homemade mustard and hot chocolate mix – I may have to add this to the bunch!
Wonderful idea!
Love chai. Have some condensed milk so this should be a cinch. And forget about the packaging….it ain’t going anywhere till I’e had my fill.when I get round to making it…
BLESS YOU! Chai tea is my absolute favorite and I am getting tired of paying so much for the store bought concentrates!
Once again, YUM! I would have never thought of this but it is a great gift idea.
Ooh I have a few friends who would love to receive this treat. Thanks. Love the spiced cider sachets too!
I’m adding this to my list(s)
I love this idea! I’m using it!!
I buy that chia tea concentrate and it’s not cheap. I’m trying this tomorrow! Gave it a Stumble too!
can some one give me tips on making of jelly ice-cream.
thanks and regards to all.
I guess that to receive the mortgage loans from banks you should present a great reason. Nevertheless, once I’ve got a bank loan, just because I was willing to buy a house.
I’m going to blog about that…
I just loved that! With coffee and tea it’s simply divine! My husband was eating out the rests with a spoon like a kid!:-) Thank You for the recipe!!
What a great idea! The perfect accompaniment to a prettily wrapped tin of snickerdoodles!!
Ok, 7th day of confinement to house while car is in the shop, and 4th day of confinement with 11-year old daughter due to winter storm… We are out of milk, dying for some Chai, is this not the perfect recipe (we have evaprated milk on hand due to shopping for Xmas baking that did not occur)! I knew that I would stumble on something good browsing through your blog…