I recently purchased a great tasting Chai drink from a local store but didn't like the aftertaste it left, (made with soy milk), or the cost, ($5.00 a bottle), so I decided to create my own and do it using a raw cashew milk since I am trying to convert to raw recipes, (no, not raw meat and I don't recommend it).
Cashews make a wonderful creamy milk. I started by filling my blender with 20 ounces of water. Next I added 1/2 cup of raw cashews. Next I added one chai tea bag, (cut the end open and pour out the tea ingredients of the bag into the blender and discard the paper). I used "Celestial Seasonings Teahouse Chai," but you can use any you prefer. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of agave nectar, ( or equivalent honey, cane sugar, or regular table sugar, depending on your tastes and how sweet you want it). I used agave nectar because it has a lower glycemic index than sugar or honey. After initial blending, add water to bring the volume in the blender to 32 ounces.
Other options are using other types of milk; almond milk, sesame milk, etc. I do not know how these would taste but cashews do great as a milk. Also, you can use 3/4- 1 cup of cashews if you really want it creamy. It cost me aproximately $.75 per 32 ounce jar. Since I prefer to mix the milk out of the jar with fifty-percent water I get 64 ounces out of a batch, but you could drink it straight as blended for a creamier mix. I also use a commercial blender so you may have to filter the final product if you do not have a commercial blender.
be forwarned, raw cashew milk doesn't last long, even refrigerated, (about 2-3 days at the most), so drink it up! Here's a summary of what you need.
1 decent blender
1 32 ounce jar or container
1 chai teabag, cut at the end and poured into the blender
1/2 to 3/4 cup raw cashews
1/2 to 3/4 cup agave nectar, (or equivalent in honey or sugar to taste).
20 ounces of water for the initial blend, (and remainder to bring volume to 32 ounces once blended).
