Hot Drinks for a Cold Evening: Chai, Gahwa, Sahlab and More

A short list for a long evening

When the temperature drops, most homes in our recipe library region do the same thing: put a pot on the stove. What goes in the pot varies. Here are six hot drinks, how they differ, how long they take and which one to choose for which kind of evening.

1. Karak chai: strong, spiced, quick

Karak chai is the strong, milky, boldly spiced tea associated with Gulf roadside cafes. It takes around 10 minutes. The tea is boiled in milk and water with cardamom and often ginger, then strained. It should be stronger than everyday chai and sweet. If you find it bitter, our post on making karak chai stronger or milder goes through adjustments. For a comparison with other styles, see karak vs doodh patti.

2. Doodh patti: milk first

Doodh patti chai is the Pakistani milk-tea, with a higher proportion of milk and a long, gentle simmer. It tends to be creamier and less spiced than karak. It takes 10 to 15 minutes and tastes best in a heavy pot. If you are making it for a crowd, our guide on doodh patti for a crowd covers scaling.

3. Masala chai: the spice blend

Masala chai uses a mix of whole or ground spices, typically cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. It sits somewhere between karak and everyday tea. It is good to know that spice levels are personal: start with fewer cloves, which can dominate quickly. Ten minutes on the stove.

4. Gahwa: Arabic coffee

Gahwa is not like a latte or an espresso. It is a lightly roasted coffee brewed with cardamom, sometimes saffron, served in small handleless cups, often with dates. Pour a small amount, about half a cup at most, and refill when guests signal they want more. Traditionally, you shake the cup slightly to indicate you have finished. Our post on serving gahwa and dates at home explains the custom.

5. Sahlab: the thick, milky winter pudding-drink

Sahlab is a hot, thick milk drink, traditionally thickened with a starch or orchid-root powder, flavoured with rose water or orange blossom, and topped with cinnamon, nuts and coconut. It is closer to a thin pudding than a tea. Watch the pot, because starch thickened milk catches on the bottom quickly. Stir constantly and keep the heat moderate. A ready-mix version exists in many shops, which is quicker for weeknights.

6. Warm milk with turmeric or spices

Not in our recipe list, but worth a note: warm milk with a pinch of turmeric and black pepper is a traditional home drink in many South Asian households. We will not make health claims for it. It is a warm, comforting drink, and some people find it soothing before bed. If you try it, use a small pinch of each, since turmeric can taste harsh.

Comparison table

What to serve alongside

Chai pairs with biscuits, rusk, samosas and pakoras. Gahwa is served with dates and sometimes sweet pastries, because the coffee is bitter and the dates balance it. Sahlab is dessert enough by itself. If you are inviting people for tea and want snacks, check our post on monsoon snacks, which works equally well for cold evenings.

Caffeine and bedtime

Karak, doodh patti, masala chai and gahwa all contain caffeine. If you are making a drink for the evening, consider the time. Sahlab and warm spiced milk contain none. Children's portions should be small and made with weak tea or milk only.

Equipment you need

• A small heavy-bottomed saucepan, not a thin one that scorches milk
• A fine strainer
• A small pot or traditional dallah for gahwa, if you make it often
• A wooden spoon for sahlab

Making a thermos for visitors

If people keep dropping in, brew chai once and hold it in a clean, pre-warmed thermos instead of reheating a pot. Strain it well, because tea left sitting on the leaves turns bitter. Chai holds its taste for a few hours that way, and the same trick works for gahwa. Do not keep milk drinks warm for the whole day. Make a fresh batch in the evening, and pour out anything left overnight instead of reheating it again.

Spices worth keeping

Green cardamom, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks and a few cloves cover three of these drinks. Cardamom loses aroma once crushed, so crush the pods just before they go in the pot.

Pick one by mood

1. Tired and need to stay awake: karak chai.
2. Quiet evening at home: doodh patti.
3. Guests arriving in 15 minutes: masala chai, with biscuits.
4. Eid or formal visit: gahwa with dates.
5. Very cold night, want something like dessert: sahlab.

Put the tea, cardamom, milk and dates into your Degchi list so the next cold snap does not find the cupboard empty.