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Masala chai (spiced tea) is a thousand-year-old drink originating in India. It can be made with a wide range of spices as well as different kinds of tea depending on the region of the world. You can definitely make this chai-inspired green smoothie with the tea of your choice (caffeinated or not).
Is it cold where you live? Fall and winter bring chilly temperatures that make it hard to crave a nice, frosty green smoothie when you’d rather be sipping something warm and cozy. Brr! Instead of skipping that smoothie altogether, try this warm chai smoothie.
It brings you all the best in fresh produce and energy-boosting ingredients but also keeps you toasty warm. My chai tea smoothie might just be one of your go-to drinks for fall!
Why This Chai Smoothie Rawks
This warm chai smoothie combines cozy flavors with incredible nutrition. Spinach sneaks in a dose of vitamins and antioxidants, while creamy coconut milk creates a rich, dairy-free base. Chai tea adds a fragrant, spiced warmth, bringing a comforting start to your day + chai tea is heart healthy!
The sweetness of pear, banana, and Medjool dates pairs perfectly with the warm spices of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, creating a flavor profile that’s both indulgent and balanced. Pear adds a crisp, natural sweetness along with a boost of fiber to support digestion and create a smooth, refreshing texture. Banana brings a creamy consistency and essential nutrients like potassium and vitamin C, helping to keep you energized and hydrated.
Medjool dates add a touch of caramel-like richness while providing natural sugars and key minerals like magnesium for a gentle energy lift. Cashews enhance the creaminess while adding healthy fats and minerals like magnesium and zinc for a nourishing boost. Together, these ingredients blend seamlessly with the warming spices, making each sip as nourishing as it is satisfying.
Warm Chai Smoothie Ingredients
- Spinach: A mild leafy green that blends seamlessly into smoothies, adding a vibrant color and a hint of earthy flavor. Look for fresh, crisp leaves in the produce section. Learn more about spinach in my leafy greens guide.
- Chai Tea: A warm and aromatic base with bold notes of spices like cinnamon and cloves. Brew strong chai tea for the best flavor, or use pre-made chai concentrate for convenience.
- Coconut Milk: A rich, creamy, dairy-free option that brings a subtle tropical flavor. Opt for canned full-fat coconut milk for extra creaminess or carton versions for a lighter touch.
- Pear: Naturally sweet and refreshing, pears add a smooth, juicy texture. Choose ripe pears with a slight give when pressed gently for the best flavor.
- Medjool Dates: These soft, caramel-like dates are a perfect natural sweetener. Look for plump, fresh dates in the produce or bulk section or buy them on Amazon. Don’t forget to remove the pits.
- Spices (Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom): A blend of warm, aromatic spices adds depth and complexity to the smoothie. Fresh ginger offers a zesty kick, while ground cinnamon and cardamom bring warmth and subtle sweetness.
- Banana: A creamy, naturally sweet addition that balances the flavors. Use fresh for a lighter smoothie or learn how to freeze bananas at home for extra thickness and chill.
- Peeled Cashews: These mild, creamy nuts add richness and a subtle nutty flavor. Soak them beforehand for an ultra-smooth texture, or use them straight from the bag for convenience.
- Homemade Protein Powder (Optional): My plant-based protein is made from flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp powder. Add a scoop to enhance the smoothie’s nutrition without altering its flavor.
How to Make A Warm Chai Smoothie
Warm smoothies are very similar to cold ones, with just a few tweaks. Here’s how I like to blend them:
- Soak the chai tea bag, cashews, and date in hot water for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and transfer the cashews, date, and tea to a blender.
- Puree the spinach, soaked tea, cashews, date, and coconut milk until smooth.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the blender.
- Blend again until fully smooth.
- Pour the smoothie into a mug and enjoy! If it isn’t warm enough, microwave until it reaches your desired temperature.
Heating Your Warm Smoothie
You can use hot tea while blending if your blender container is heat-proof. Vent the lid to avoid spills when blending hot liquids. This warm smoothie is perfect if your blender has a soup setting. If you use a standard blender, heat the smoothie on a stove or in microwave in a mug until it’s the right temperature.
Easy Swaps For Your Chai Smoothie
- Swap Chai tea: Trade Chai tea for your favorite flavor of black tea.
- Swap coconut milk: Use light canned coconut milk or carton coconut milk instead of full-fat for a lower-fat option.
- Swap Medjool date: Replace with a bit of maple syrup if preferred.
- Make it cold: This chai smoothie is equally delicious chilled, so if you aren’t ready for a warm smoothie then make it cold! Throw it over ice for the perfect frosty drink.
- Make room temperature: Feel free to drink this chai smoothie at room temp instead of heating it. I’ve had rawkstars tell me they often drink room temp smoothies during the winter, and that’s great!
Common Questions
My chai smoothie has 396 calories (with full fat coconut milk). If you want to easily lower the calorie count, just swap the full fat coconut milk for light canned coconut milk or even carton coconut milk.
I recommend drinking winter smoothies within two days of blending. They start to lose nutrients after about 15 minutes, yet are still great the next day! Just make sure you give that refrigerated smoothie a good shake before your first sip.
Tea is naturally caffeinated (unless it’s herbal tea) and can give your metabolism a boost. Some teas boost metabolism more than others.
Warm Drinks for Cold Weather
Put down that cold brew coffee and get ready to jump into seasonal flavors and produce with the below smoothies and drink recipes. I love switching up my drink routine with a fresh set of fruits and veggies, and these recipes usher in cooler weather in just the right way.
What’s your go-to hot beverage to warm you up during the cooler weather? Drop a comment below and let me know what I should be drinking this winter! And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Warm Chai Smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 chai tea bag
- 2 tbsp raw cashews
- 1 medjool date pitted
- ½ cup spinach
- ½ cup coconut milk warm
- 1 pear cored and peeled
- ½ banana
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ inch ginger root
- ⅛ tsp ground cardamom
Instructions
- Place chai tea bag, cashews and date in hot water for 5 minutes. Remove tea bag and add everything else to blender.
- Blend spinach, tea, cashews, date, and coconut milk until smooth.
- Next, add the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth. Pour into a mug and enjoy. If it's not warm enough, microwave until desired temperature.
Delicious and soul soothing! Tasted like a warm hug
A warm hug is right!
AWESOME4 RECIPE. I AM NEW ON HEALTHY PROTEIN SMOOTHIE!Great work
I came across this recipe while doing the salad challenge. It was amazing and I printed out this recipe to make many more times! The pear and chai spices mixed so well and serving warm is bonus for comfort!
Swapped oat milk in for the coconut milk and it was lovely!
Mine came out gross – but I didn’t use the Protein Boost that was recommended I used another one. Mine was vanilla, Protein Boost is unflavored. So maybe that was it 🙂
Delicious recipe. Never tried a warm smoothie before. It came out a bit thin for my aesthetic, so I’ll probably cut the liquid in half next time. Thank you!
Cutting the liquid in 1/2 is a great idea here Jana. You can also try adding a bit of avocado or cauliflower to thicken it as well. Happy blending!