Chai Latte

No need to visit your local coffee shop, now you can make the BEST Chai Latte at home! This simple recipe tastes even better but at a fraction of the price. Warm up with Fall spices and a frothy milk foam thanks to a homemade recipe that’s secretly so easy to make!

Easy Chai Latte Recipe

When the cooler weather rolls around, I find myself craving a good Chai Latte.

So I end up making a few too many trips to the local coffee shop. Ok, WAY too many.

Which is why I knew I had to learn how to make this warm and comforting drink at home. 

And y’all… it was so much easier than I thought! (And SO much more affordable, too!)

You only need a few simple ingredients, a milk frother, and a strong desire to curl up with a hot drink and a good book. (Okay, okay, the last thing isn’t necessary, but it definitely helps.)

Plus, you can tweak the amount of spices you add to customize your tea to make it EXACTLY how you like it!

You can go even simpler with this recipe for a Chai Tea Latte, where the spices are already in the tea you’re brewing. Looking for a cooler version? Give this Iced Chai Tea Latte a try. Or switch up the tea with this Matcha Latte next!

What is a Chai Latte?

If you’ve been to a coffee shop, you’ve likely seen a chai latte on the menu. While it sounds exotic, it’s really a rather simple drink.

A chai latte is tea (usually black tea) brewed with milk and ground spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and often nutmeg and cloves, that is then sweetened with either sugar or a natural sweetener.

Fun fact—the word “chai” means “tea” in Hindi, and has its roots in the Chinese word for tea!

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this homemade chai latte include:

• Tea. Most commonly black tea, or English breakfast tea is used. Because black tea bags always contain caffeine, be aware of how much you’re drinking. If you want to go caffeine-free, brew your chai with a non-caffeinated tea bag.
• Sweetener. For a natural sweetener with loads of flavor, stick with pure maple syrup. (Not the pancake syrup kind!) You can also use another liquid sweetener, white or brown sugar. Use less sugar or leave it out if you’re avoiding it.
• Spices. A flavorful chai spice blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves add warm, earthy notes to this drink. You can also add in other spices, like star anise and cardamom. Whole spices, like cinnamon sticks, make a beautiful presentation, but you only need ground spices for the drink.
• Milk. You can use whatever kind of milk you like, whether regular or non-dairy, like almond milk or coconut milk. A richer, fuller-fat milk will give you a creamier tea.

How to Make a Chai Latte

Below you’ll find the steps to make the homemade version of a chai latte:

Make the Concentrate

Add a cup of water to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over high or medium-high heat. Then, remove it from the heat.

Put the tea bags, sweetener of choice, and chai spices in the saucepan. Stir well, then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

If you’re ready to enjoy a hot latte, then move on to the next step.

If you’re leaning towards an iced drink, pour the chai tea concentrate into a glass jar and let it sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

Note: You can use loose-leaf tea when making a homemade chai tea latte, but you’ll want to use a fine mesh strainer or tea pod to ensure the leaves are removed before enjoying.

How to Make a Hot Chai Latte

Get a big mug out. You will want at least 16 ounces—trust me. Pour 8 ounces of the concentrate into the mug.

If you have a milk frother, foam the milk. If you don’t have one, you can heat it up on the stovetop or in the microwave just until it’s warm and fluffy, then add it to the concentrate.

Sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon and drink up!

How to Make an Iced Chai Latte

If you opted for an iced version, fill a cup with ice.

After the spiced tea has chilled for at least four hours, pour it into the glass with ice.

You can froth milk, but avoid heating it first. Or, just pour in cold milk. Stir and enjoy!

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead of time: The concentrate will keep in the fridge for a couple of days. For an iced latte, simply take it out of the fridge. For a hot latte, warm it up before adding to the mug.
• How to store: After the milk is added, it’s best to drink up within a couple of hours. You can store the concentrate in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
• How to freeze: It is not recommended to freeze this concentrate.

What do chai lattes taste like?

A chai latte is an earthy and flavorful tea that varies depending on what spices you use and whether it’s hot or cold. Many chai lovers say it’s the perfect balance of soothing and delicious. If you like strong flavor, add in extra spices.

What is a dirty chai latte?

A dirty chai latte is a chai tea plus a shot of espresso. You can get a double shot called a doppio, as well. This drink is perfect if you love the spice of a chai but want a little extra kick of caffeine.

Does a chai latte have caffeine?

Yes, a chai latte typically has caffeine because it is brewed with black tea. If you prefer a caffeine-free version, you can make this drink with another type of decaffeinated tea.

How healthy is a chai latte?

In addition to being flavorful, chai lattes are quite healthy. They are packed with antioxidants known for attacking free radicals in the body and promoting cell growth. Be aware the chai lattes do contain sweetener, so if you’re watching your sugar intake, enjoy in moderation.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already gluten-free and vegetarian as written.  Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Dairy-free: Choose a plant-based milk.
• Sugar-free: Use a sweetener that is free of sugar, or skip it altogether.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Add some spice. Include extra spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves, for an extra kick.
• You choose. Let the homemade concentrate completely cool in the fridge for an iced version or enjoy it right away for hot. You can also pick the level of sweetness by adding in extra sugar or leaving it out.
• Make it frothy. Use a frother to whip the milk, or simply warm the milk in a saucepan if you don’t have one.
• Take it up. Add in a shot of espresso for a dirty chai latte.
• Go big. Make extra to keep in the fridge for some chai all week.

What to Serve with Chai Lattes?

A warm (or iced!) chai latte is the perfect drink for an afternoon snack. Try any of these treats with your next cup.

For something sweet, make this Carrot Coffee Cake or Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Coffee Cake Muffins, Double Chocolate Banana Muffins, Chocolate Zucchini Bread are all quick and easy recipes that really round out tea time.