Homemade Chai

3 cups filtered water
5 teaspoons cane sugar or to taste
2 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup whole milk
3  black tea bags

Place water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Crush the cardamom pods and add to the boiling water along with the cinnamon stick; let boil for 1 minute. Add milk and bring to a boil again. Remove the pot from the heat. Add tea bags. Cover pan and let the tea steep for a few minutes. Strain tea into a teapot. Serve hot.