Begin by placing a dry saucepan over medium-low heat. Add star anise pods, cracked cardamom, and a broken cinnamon stick and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Next, pour in 4 cups of filtered water and increase the heat to medium-high until boiling, about 5-7 minutes.

Turn off heat and add the loose-leaf Assam black tea. Stir gently and cover the saucepan to steep for 6 minutes.

Prepare a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth over a pitcher and strain the tea.

Allow the strained tea to cool for 20 minutes, then stir in sugar and vanilla extract until dissolved. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

To serve iced, fill glasses with crushed ice and pour chilled tea over. Add sweetened condensed milk and whole milk, stirring well.

To serve warm, pour hot tea into mugs, stir in condensed milk and whole milk, and optionally garnish with cinnamon.