Drink This Now: Golden Chai at Messenger Coffee Co.
Messenger Coffee Co.’s Golden Chai latte / Photo by Olivia Steele
Most days, you will find me with a chai in hand. I drink it hot or iced depending on the season, and I’m incredibly picky about what I’m drinking. My chai has to be spicy, and it has to be 80 percent concentrate, 20 percent milk. Or at least, a flavor convincing me of that.
In a recent Pitch deadline meeting, we fueled up with Messenger Coffee Co. nearby, and I decided to take a chance on their Golden Chai latte. I was not disappointed. It’s punchy and peppery, not too overpowering, and was the perfect pick-me-up as we ran through stories over and over again.
I couldn’t stop thinking about this latte, so I got it again…and again…and again. It’s become my favorite treat when I trek from Lawrence to Kansas City, and despite its higher price ($7.25 for an 8 oz serving, $9.50 if you get an alternative milk), I can’t stop returning to it. It’s a beverage that’ll warm you up as the temps drop.
The chai concentrate is made with Hugo Tea’s Gao Wen tea, with a smoky flavor that picks up in the drink. The liquid gold–and star of the drink–is turmeric, centering every other spice around it. Clove and cinnamon are also in the mix, which altogether make for a delicious kick in the back of your throat. For extra flavor, I recommend adding almond milk to your cup–it’s a thinner milk, allowing for more tang on your taste buds.
However, if you prefer a sweeter chai, you’re still in luck. The spice is nicely cut with a smooth combination of brown sugar, honey, nutmeg, and vanilla that ties the drink together before you wait for the savory flavors to hit. It makes you go back for sip after sip.
This latte can seemingly be paired with anything–I’ve had it with a Bay Boy Gobbler, a Baja Shrimp Chorizo taco from Taco Naco, and pad Thai from Zen Zero. Even my at-home turkey sandwiches pair well with it, but that might be my excessive use of black pepper and chili flakes.
I’d also like to emphasize that you should drink this NOW–Messenger’s holiday menu drops on November 17, and the Golden Chai will bid adieu.
Messenger Coffee Co. has multiple locations.
