What Is a Chai Tea Latte?
A chai tea latte is a popular drink that blends brewed black tea infused with traditional Indian spices, mixed with steamed milk, and topped with a layer of froth.
The word “chai” actually means “tea” in Hindi, so technically, “chai tea” is a bit redundant. However, this spiced tea drink has become synonymous with warmth, comfort, and a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
The combination of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger creates a flavor profile that’s rich, bold, and earthy.
I’ve always loved chai because it connects me to my heritage—growing up, chai was more than just a drink; it was a family ritual.
This Starbucks-inspired version holds onto those traditional flavors but adds a little indulgence with frothed milk and a hint of sweetness. It’s a beautiful fusion of East meets West, and it’s a drink that never fails to bring comfort.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe for a Starbucks-style chai tea latte at home works beautifully because it combines the rich, spiced flavor of traditional chai with the creamy texture of a latte, all while being simple to prepare. Here’s why it’s effective:
Authentic Spice Blend:
The recipe uses a blend of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, mirroring the traditional flavors found in chai. This ensures a rich, aromatic flavor that’s true to the classic chai experience.
Convenient Tea Bags:
Using tea bags makes the preparation easy and straightforward, eliminating the need for loose leaf tea and complex straining processes. It’s perfect for busy mornings or a quick afternoon treat.
Customizable Sweetness and Creaminess:
You can adjust the amount of sweetener and choose your preferred type of milk (dairy or plant-based) to make the latte just the way you like it. This flexibility allows for a personalized touch in every cup.
Hot and Iced Options:
The recipe caters to different preferences, offering instructions for both hot and iced versions. This versatility means you can enjoy your chai tea latte year-round, whether you’re in the mood for a warming drink or a refreshing iced treat.
Easy to Recreate:
The straightforward steps and accessible ingredients make this recipe easy to follow, even for those new to making chai tea lattes at home. The result is a delicious drink that rivals your favorite coffee shop’s version.
Table of Contents
What Does Chai Tea Latte Taste Like?
Imagine sipping a warm, spiced tea that wraps you in a blanket of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
It’s slightly sweet with a creamy finish from the steamed milk, and each sip brings a little tingle from the spices balanced by the smoothness of the milk.
Whether hot or iced, a chai tea latte is the perfect harmony of bold black tea and fragrant spices. It’s cozy, invigorating, and satisfying all at once.
Ingredients For Iced Chai Tea Latte
Black Tea Bags: Opt for strong-flavored varieties like Assam, Ceylon, or English breakfast for a robust taste. If you prefer a milder flavor, Darjeeling tea can be used, though it’s less common for this type of latte.
Spices: For an authentic Indian chai tea, use whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and a small star anise. You can also grate some nutmeg over the top for additional flavor.
Milk: Whole milk is the traditional choice, but any non-dairy milk (such as almond, soy, or oat) can be used according to your preference.
Sweetener: While optional, a touch of sweetness enhances the drink. You can use maple syrup, honey, or your preferred sweetener. Adjust the quantity to taste.
How to Make Iced Chai Latte With Tea Bags
Prepare the Spice Infusion
Start by pouring 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan. Add 1 cinnamon stick, 4-5 whole cloves, 1 small star anise, and a few slices of fresh ginger to the water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This process allows the spices to infuse the water with their aromatic flavors, creating the base for your chai.
Brew the Tea
Once the spices have infused the water, add 2 black tea bags, such as Assam, Ceylon, or English breakfast, to the spiced water.
Allow the tea to steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer it.
After steeping, remove and discard the tea bags. This step combines the bold tea flavor with the spiced infusion, resulting in a robust chai base.
Let the tea cool to room temperature, then chill it in the refrigerator.
Chill and Froth the Milk
Frothing chilled milk for an iced chai latte is easy and can be done using a few simple methods.
One popular option is using a handheld frother; just pour cold milk into a glass and move the frother up and down until the milk becomes frothy.
Alternatively, if you have a milk frother with a cold setting, it will create perfect foam with minimal effort. Both options are quick and efficient.
If you don’t have a frother, you can shake the milk in a jar with a tight lid for about 30 seconds to achieve a similar result.
Another option is using a blender to froth the milk on high speed for 15-20 seconds. These methods will give your iced chai latte that creamy, frothy finish without heating the milk!
Combine and Sweeten
Pour the chilled brewed tea and spice mixture over ice cubes in a glass. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of your chosen sweetener, such as maple syrup or honey, to taste.
Gently pour the chilled frothed milk into the glass, holding back the foam with a spoon to achieve the desired consistency.
Top the latte with the remaining milk foam for a creamy finish. This step perfectly blends the rich tea and spiced base with the creamy milk and sweetener, creating a balanced and flavorful iced chai latte.
Garnish (Optional)
For an extra touch, you can grate a little nutmeg over the top of your chai tea latte. This adds a subtle, aromatic hint that complements the spices in the drink.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve your iced chai tea latte immediately and enjoy the comforting blend of spiced tea and creamy milk. The result is a delicious, homemade version of the popular café drink that’s perfect for any time of day.
Important Tips for the Perfect Chai Tea Latte
From my experience, the key to an exceptional chai tea latte is in the balance of spices and the creaminess of the milk. Here are my tips to ensure it turns out perfectly:
- Adjust the Spice Level-If you prefer a stronger spice flavor, let the tea simmer longer, or increase the amount of cinnamon and cardamom. I often add a bit more ginger when I’m craving extra warmth.
- Don’t Skimp on the Tea– The black tea provides the body and richness to the drink, so make sure not to under-brew it. A bold tea balances the milk and sweetness.
- Milk Matters-If you want a richer latte, use whole milk or creamy oat milk. For a lighter version, almond milk works great too. Steamed milk adds that frothy texture, but cold milk in the iced version is equally delicious.
- Make Ahead-You can make the chai concentrate ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just heat it when you’re ready for a cup, or enjoy it cold for an iced latte.
- For iced Chai Tea Latte -Brew the tea concentrate stronger than usual to prevent the flavor from getting diluted when poured over ice, ensuring a perfectly balanced iced chai latte.
Taste Variations / Substitute
One of the best things about making your own chai tea latte at home is that you can customize it to your liking. Here are a few variations I’ve tried:
Vanilla Chai Latte-Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to the chai concentrate for a creamy, slightly sweet twist.
Dirty Chai Latte– If you need an extra caffeine boost, add a shot of espresso to your chai tea latte. It gives it a bold kick and a delightful coffee-tea flavor combo.
Spicy Chai Latte– Love it spicy? Add an extra slice of ginger and a couple of black peppercorns. It’s a great way to warm up during the winter months.
Coconut Chai Latte-For a tropical touch, substitute coconut milk for regular milk. The creamy coconut flavor pairs beautifully with the spices.
Vegan Chai Tea Latte
For a vegan chai tea latte, you can use several delicious milk alternatives. Almond milk offers a light and slightly sweet flavor, while oat milk provides a creamy texture with natural sweetness.
Soy milk is rich and froths well, making it a great choice. Coconut milk adds a creamy, tropical twist, and cashew milk delivers a nutty richness.
Simply froth any of these options before mixing them into your brewed chai for a tasty vegan latte!
FAQs
Can I use chai tea bags in latte instead of loose leaf tea?
Yes! Chai tea bags are a great time-saver, and they contain the same essential spices. Just make sure to simmer them long enough to release the full flavor.
Can I make the chai tea latte without sugar?
Absolutely! You can skip the sweetener if you prefer or use a natural sweetener like stevia.
How do I store chai concentrate?
You can store the prepared chai concentrate in the fridge for up to a week. It’s perfect for quick lattes on busy mornings!
Can I make this chai tea latte vegan?
Yes! Just use a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, and substitute honey with maple syrup or agave.
What’s the difference between chai tea and chai tea latte?
Chai tea is simply spiced tea, whereas a chai tea latte includes steamed milk, making it creamier and richer.
Does Chai Latte Have Coffee in It?
No, a chai latte does not contain coffee. It’s made with black tea and spices, combined with steamed milk. For a coffee-flavored option, try a “dirty chai,” which includes a shot of espresso.
What is a chai latte made of?
A chai tea latte combines spiced black tea with steamed milk. The tea provides a strong base, while spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger add distinctive flavor. The milk, steamed or frothed, adds creaminess, and a sweetener like honey or maple syrup balances the flavors.
Can you froth warm milk in a jar?
Yes, you can froth warm milk in a jar. Heat the milk, pour it into a heatproof jar, and shake it vigorously with the lid on. This method creates foam, though it may not be as consistent as using a dedicated frother.
Do chai lattes have caffeine in them?
Yes, chai lattes have caffeine in them since they are made with black tea leaves.
How much sugar is in a chai tea latte?
The amount of sugar in a chai tea latte varies depending on the recipe or how it’s prepared.
On average, a standard chai tea latte from a café can contain about 20-30 grams of sugar, but this can be adjusted based on personal preference or dietary needs.
Are chai lattes dairy-free?
Chai lattes are not inherently dairy-free, as they are typically made with steamed milk, which is dairy-based.
However, you can make a chai latte dairy-free by using plant-based milk alternatives such as almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk.
Here are more delicious and refreshing beverages for you to try:
Quick and easy Matcha Coffee Recipe
Aam Panha / panna (Raw mango drink)
How to Make Iced Chai Latte with Tea Bags
Description
If you're a fan of the creamy, aromatic chai tea latte from Starbucks, you're in for a treat! I'm here to share my personalized recipe that will give you the same comforting flavors of this popular drink, but with a homemade touch that’s perfect for cozy mornings or relaxing evenings. Whether you prefer it hot or iced, this recipe lets you recreate your favorite chai tea latte at home with ease. I’ll also include my tips, variations, and a few tricks to make sure it’s just as delicious as the one you love to sip at Starbucks—maybe even better!
Ingredients
Instructions
How to Make Iced Chai Latte with Tea Bags
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In a saucepan, boil 2 cups of water with cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and pepper. Simmer for about 3 minutes.
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Add tea bags or loose tea and simmer for another 2 minutes.
Remove the pan from heat,cover and leave for 1 minute.
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Strain the chai concentrate into a jar. Let the tea concentrate cool to room temperature, then chill it in the refrigerator.
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Add 3-4 ice cubes in serving glass.
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Pour in your favorite frothed milk (chilled) over the concentrate.
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Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg powder and serve.
Note
- For a dairy-free version, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk work wonderfully.
- I often make a larger batch of chai concentrate and store it in the fridge. That way, I can have a chai tea latte ready in minutes whenever I need a little comfort in a cup.
- You can also use a premade chai spice mix or concentrate if you’re short on time, but homemade is always best!
- For a hot chai tea latte, use hot tea concentrate and top it with warm frothed milk of your choice.
