The moment we took our first sip of steamy chai at our local bean counter, we were hooked. Down the street at Brooklyn Roasting Company, our barista friends make each iced and hot chai with this amazing bottled concentrate. So good, we immediately insisted on an introduction.

Unlike the usual sugary blend of flat ground spices and weak tea, a cup of Dona Chai is comforting as all get-out, thanks to freshly ground cardamom, cinnamon bark, black pepper and clove. What really keeps us coming back for more, though, is the balancing brightness of just a little lemon juice and, rare in the bottled chai world, fresh-pressed ginger.

Maker Amy Rothstein started making her own chai in grad school when she noticed that while everyone placed a premium on locally roasted coffee, they were still ordering mediocre chai made states (or oceans!) away. She sources whole spices from around Brooklyn and grinds them fresh for each new batch, then steeps in small batches of organic black tea.

Chai it, you’ll like it!

tip of the tongue

Give the bottle a quick shake before opening, then mix equal parts chai concentrate with milk (cow, soy, almond – it’s all good!). In warmer months, we love sipping it chilled over ice with a bendy straw, of course. We have also been known to add a glug or two to French toast batter…