An Ode to Chai Tea Mix in a Mason Jar

T'was the week before Christmas and all through the house

Mama was skittering around like a mouse,

Trying to wrangle last minute gifts galore

For all the special teachers my children adore!

When what to my wondering eye should appear

That delicious recipe I've enjoyed each year:

Mix up the chai tea in a cute mason jar

To make this sweet treat you needn't go far.

Just follow the recipe outlined below

Then get creative to whom you will bestow:

You can gift this at work, at church, or at school

And all will exclaim "This chai tea is so cool!".

Merry Christmas and Happy Gift Giving!

A few years ago I received the following recipe for Chai Tea mix from a friend.  The recipe is originally from Christmas with Southern Living 2007, Oxmoor House and you can find it now at  My Recipes.  This drink is a delicious treat and takes very little time to make.  Be sure your spices are fresh to get the most flavor.

2 & 1/2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp ground cloves

3/4 tsp ground cardamom (optional - I did not include)

1 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 & 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea

1 & 1/2 to 2 cups sugar

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 cup powdered nondairy creamer

1 cup French vanilla-flavored powdered nondairy creamer

Combine spices and tea in a food processor or blender.  Blend 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture becomes a fine powder.  Pour into a large bowl.  Add sugar to food processor or blender (without cleaning it), and process until superfine, about 30 seconds.  Add sugar to bowl of spices.  Stir in milk powder and creamers; blend well.  

To serve, stip 2 heaping Tbsp Chai Tea Mix into a mug of hot milk or boiling water.

The original recipe available at the My Recipes link above includes several variations.  

I had mason jars leftover from my Thanksgiving teacher gifts, which I used for gifting the mix.  I cut 5" squares of the red polka dotted fabric with my pinking rotary blade to finish the edges then placed the square over the lid of the mason jar and secured it with the outside rim of the lid.  

I found chalkboard picks in the wedding section of Michaels, on which I wrote Chai Tea Mix in white chalkboard marker.  (They were actually cheaper at Michaels than this link to Amazon and I had a 50% coupon so it kept this project inexpensive).   The pick part snapped off easily.  I then tied a piece of twine (leftover from my DIY twine letters project) around the top of the jar and used hot glue on the back of the chalkboard to attach it to the twine.  By using this method, the recipient can still open the jar and also remove the chalkboard if desired.  I used Microsoft Word to create a very simple banner with a greeting and directions for serving, which I printed on white card stock, punched a hole through and attached to the twine as well.

If you like the tray the mason jar is displayed on in the picture, go check out my frame to tray tutorial.

Hope you enjoy creating and gifting this tasty treat, that is, if you don't drink it all yourself!

Merry Christmas!

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A Glimpse Inside