TGIF! Time for another sweet and boozy frozen treat to help cope with the summer heat. This week's cool-down moment is brought to you by spicy Masala Chai and sweet Marula Fruit.
While I love Matcha for all its impressive health benefits, complex flavour and stunning color, chai's aroma and blend of black tea and spices transport me to worlds unknown... well ok, India. And not just any chai tea, but the coveted PC Memories of India Masala Chai Loose Leaf Tea.
I am on my last of twenty-five cans I stockpiled when my aunt told me it was being discontinued a couple years ago. Since then, there has been some serious WW2-type rationing going on up in hur! (translation 'here' or 'hair' according to the urban dictionary).
I especially enjoy this tea in its latte form and when I am not whipping it up at home, you can usually find me toting a piping hot cup of Starbucks Chai Latte, grande style. I also like using it in its powder form for baking, as I've done with these Chai Eggnog Latte Cupcakes and Vegan Vanilla Chai Cupcakes.
If chai is not your flavour, simply substitute your favourite tea or coffee! And the virgin version is just as tasty. Simply sweeten the tea with a touch of raw honey.
Are you familiar with the Marula fruit? It's what gives these pops their sweet, boozy flavour. But it offers so much more than just good taste.
- The peel alone is believed to have more than 27 different kinds of flavours and contains ten newly-isolated volatile esters that may be able to be extracted for use in aromatherapy, homeopathic medicines and essential oils.
- The freeze dried pulp of the marula fruit can be used in a number of cosmetic applications.
- The fruit pulp contains up to four times the vitamin C of oranges.
I was drawn to the Amarula Cream liqueur because of the elephant on its label, and later its taste. You may remember my Amarula Swiss Meringue Buttercream, shared back in February.
Soon after purchasing my first bottle, I learned about the Amarula Elephant Research Program, co-funded by Distell, the makers of this drink. And you should know by now that any friend of elephants, is a friend of mine.
These were my test batch. I ate them. All four of them. Then I made four more to share. And will make another batch this weekend - they're that good.
Yup, the self-imposed rationing has been lifted. I'm taking these last few spoonfuls out with a boozy bang. Hope you'll join me and whip up a batch of your own - see recipe below.
More Ways To Cool Down:
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 110 g evaporated milk ½ cup
- 4 g loose leaf chai tea 3 tbsp
- Amarula Cream
- 20 g raw honey 1 tbsp
- * non-alcoholic version
- Popsicle mold
Instructions
- Bring the milk to a simmer over low heat, add the chai leaves and continue to simmer.
- Cover and remove from heat. Allow the chai to steep for a few minutes, depending on your tea strength preference.
- Pour the milk and tea mixture through a sieve into a clean measuring cup, or bowl with a spout and allow to cool.
- Stir in the Amarula Cream.
- *Should you choose to omit the alcohol, just add honey to the mixture once removed from heat and stir until melted. Let cool.
- Pour into popsicle molds.
- Insert sticks and freeze for at least four hours, or overnight.
- Remove from freezer once fully set and hold mold under warm running water to loosen. Popsicles should slide out easily from mold after a few seconds.
- Now get to lickin', stay cool and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @isugarcoatit or tag #isugarcoatit !
Jacquee CS says
Chai oh my! Your creativity never ceases to amaze me, Jacquee! I have never heard of amarula fruit but it totally intrigues me. Totoally going to google now where grows - might just have to travel there 😉
Jacquee CS says
I did not know all that about the Marula fruit. Using it to flavour these cool treats is a delicious idea. I think I need to come and spend summers at your place!
Jacquee CS says
Oh my goodness! J you've combined two of my all time favourites! I love Amarola (the liqueur made from Marula) and I live on masala chai.
And evaporated milk, mmmmmmm. Think about making it with condensed milk?
Amarola is very similar to Baileys Irish Cream. Delicious.
Once you've exhausted your 25 tins, I'll give you a very simple recipe for the masala in the masala chai. Then all you'll need to buy is black tea leaves and brew it adding as much of the masala as you wish 🙂
R
Jacquee CS says
I bought my first bottle from the LCBO a few years ago and really liked it. I've tried it in ice-cream and shakes and as I was coming up with ideas for popsicles, I thought I'd try it with chai. They are so good - no lie!
Jacquee CS says
Forgot to mention it's an elephant fave - the fruit , that is! I like to think I was an elephant in a previous life, so naturally, I would like a drink made from the fruit. 😉
Jacquee CS says
I've indeed made my chai with condensed milk and enjoyed it iced - sooo very good! The Amarula Cream is sweet, so I did not want to add condensed milk for fear it would be too sweet. Would love your recipe - my beloved tea is a few spoonful away from extinction. 🙁