This creamy, spiced shake combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the warm, aromatic spices of chai. It’s like drinking a cozy hug in a glass – perfect for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or whenever you need something comforting and delicious.
Serves: 2 people
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (for homemade chai concentrate)
Ingredients
For the Shake
- 2 large ripe bananas (frozen for extra thickness)
- 1/2 cup strong chai tea concentrate (cooled) or 1/2 cup milk + chai spice blend
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk)
- 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup ice cubes (if using fresh bananas)
For Homemade Chai Spice Blend (Optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of black pepper
For Garnish
- Whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon
- Sliced banana
- Crushed graham crackers or biscotti
Instructions
Quick Method (Using Chai Tea)
- Prepare chai concentrate: Brew 2 strong chai tea bags in 1/2 cup hot water for 5 minutes. Remove bags and let cool completely, or use pre-made chai concentrate.
- Blend everything: In a blender, combine the bananas, cooled chai concentrate, milk, ice cream, honey, and vanilla extract. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust consistency: Add ice cubes if using fresh bananas or if you want a thicker consistency. Blend again briefly.
Spice Blend Method
- Mix spices: Combine all chai spice blend ingredients in a small bowl.
- Blend the shake: Add bananas, milk, ice cream, honey, vanilla, and 1-2 teaspoons of the chai spice blend to your blender. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
- Taste and adjust: Add more spice blend if you want stronger chai flavor, or more honey for sweetness.
Serving
- Pour and garnish: Divide between two tall glasses. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Add final touches: Garnish with banana slices and a piece of biscotti or graham cracker for dipping.
- Serve immediately with straws and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Banana ripeness: Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor
- Freezing bananas: Peel and slice bananas before freezing them in portions – they’ll blend better
- Chai strength: Adjust the amount of chai concentrate or spice blend to your taste preference
- Texture control: For a thinner shake, add more milk; for thicker, use more frozen banana or ice cream
- Make it dairy-free: Use coconut milk and coconut ice cream for a vegan version
Variations
- Banana Chai Protein Shake: Add 1 scoop vanilla protein powder for a post-workout treat
- Iced Banana Chai Latte: Use cold brew coffee instead of some milk for caffeine
- Banana Chai Smoothie Bowl: Make it thicker and serve in a bowl with granola and fruit toppings
- Salted Caramel Banana Chai: Add a tablespoon of caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prep bananas: Peel and slice ripe bananas, then freeze in portions for quick shakes
- Chai ice cubes: Freeze leftover chai tea in ice cube trays to add instead of regular ice
- Spice blend: Make a larger batch of the chai spice blend and store in an airtight container
Storage
This shake is best enjoyed fresh, but you can refrigerate leftovers for up to 24 hours. The banana may cause some separation, so give it a good stir or quick blend before drinking.
