The summer months have certainly turned the heat up, and from here on out until fall arrives the weather is only going to get hotter. It's so important that throughout this hotter weather that you stay refreshed and hydrated and there is no better way to do both than drinking iced tea. Of course, there are the classic fruity options, but when it comes to flavored teas that not only keep you refreshed but are also a great way to treat yourself to something sweet and spicy too, iced chai is the way to go. Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean that you have to wave goodbye to the aromatic, spice-filled goodness that is Chai.

Iced Chai is not only delicious but adds a bit more variety to iced tea and if you aren't a fan of fruity teas or tisanes this is the direction you should go in this summer. It doesn't take too long to prepare and can be prepared in big batches should you want to serve it to guests or have lots set aside for yourself should you be the only person in your house that enjoys tea.

First things first when making Iced Chai you need to pick your chai blend. Adagio has a great selection of Chai to choose from but these are the 4 I think are best suited to being iced:

Masala Chai

Masala Chai is the classic and because it is such a classic you cannot go wrong with it! It's great if you are a Chai lover and just want to stick to an old favorite, but it's also a good iced Chai to give people who may be new to iced Chai or Chai in general as there isn't an over-complicated flavor profile.

I've never known anyone to try Masala Chai and tell me they didn't enjoy it, I'm definitely of the frame of mind that Chai in general no matter if it is hot or cold is just filled with so much tea magic that you will instantly become a Chai lover from the moment you take your first sip.

Preparation Tip

When iced this is definitely best with milk and a little rock sugar or honey. Prepare hot (stovetop if possible) with half water and half milk then strain and leave to cool before pouring over ice. A teaspoon and a half of loose leaf for each cup you are making should do fine.

White Chai

While the White Chai blend does still have the classic spice of Chai, instead of having a base of black tea this one uses white tea and adds coconut, pineapple, lemongrass into the mix which again makes quote a tropical summer flavor profile, with a subtle sweetness, a floral hint and that kick of spices we are all looking for when it comes to Chai.

Preparation Tip

Unlike the others this needs no added sweetness and is definitely best without milk, being one you should probably cold brew overnight rather than preparing hot and pouring over ice. Cold brewing in this case will result in a cup that is much stronger in flavor and smoother in the mouthfeel department too.

A teaspoon and a half of the loose leaf for each cup you are making into an ice tea jug like this one with freshly filtered cold water and leave to steep overnight.

Thai Chai

Thai Chai is a twist on the classic that takes the Chai flavors we all know and love but adds coconut and lemongrass into the mix.

This is my personal favorite Chai blend from Adagio that I like to have iced during the summer because the coconut and the lemongrass just add that little tropical touch to this and make it feel much more of a summery drink. They add an extra creamy note with the coconut and that hit of sweet citrus from the lemongrass does a great job of not only breaking through the heavier notes but also lightens the blend as a whole.

Preparation Tip

When iced this is again great with milk but phenomenal with coconut milk. In terms of sweeteners it's actually a touch sweeter than a usual Chai but I still normally add a little bit of honey or rock sugar to the mix just to amp it up a little bit.

Prepare hot (stovetop if possible) with half water and half milk then strain and leave to cool before pouring over ice. A teaspoon and a half of loose leaf for each cup you are making.

Honeybush Pumpkin Chai

If you're looking for a caffeine-free version Honeybush Pumpkin Chai is a great choice and is delicious iced on its own or with milk. It's a very forgiving tea, but hot-brewing and bring it to cool will give the best flavor!

It also adds a nice dessert element with the cocoa nibs as well as that pumpkin spice flavor and it's perfect for a hot summer night due to it having no caffeine.

So there you have it, a quick guide to iced Chai that arms you with everything you need to be able to combat the warm weather in the most delicious way possible!