DIY: Chai Latte

Curl up with a blanket and this easy-to-make chai tea latte - it's just the thing to warm you up on brisk fall mornings and chilly winter evenings. This drink is sweet, creamy, and full of cozy spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. For an extra boost of caffeine, just add coffee to make it a dirty chai!

In the world of cozy beverages, does it get any cozier than a chai latte? A steaming cup of tea, creamy frothed milk, and a mix of warm spices - there is truly no cozier combination. I've had my fair share of good chai at coffee shops, but there's nothing more I want to do on a cold day than hunker down at home. The best of both worlds? A comfy couch, a warm blanket, and this DIY chai latte recipe.

Jump to:

• What is a chai latte?
• How to make a chai latte from scratch
• What type of milk to use for this recipe
• What type of sweetener to use for this recipe
• Using tea bags vs loose leaf tea
• Using whole spices vs ground spices
• What to do if you don't own a milk frother
• Can this be made into a dirty chai latte?
• Can this latte be made decaf?
• Can this recipe be made dairy-free/vegan?
• Can you add collagen to this latte?
• How many servings does this recipe make?
• Storing the chai concentrate
• More cozy drink recipes
• Recipe Card

What is a chai latte?

The basic components of a chai latte are simple: black tea, steamed milk, and a mixture of spices. Most recipes call for cinnamon, ginger, cloves, black peppercorn, cardamom, and star anise - I like to add vanilla to mine as well. Combined with your sweetener of choice, it makes a drink that's inherently comforting: perfectly sweet and creamy, with the natural flavor of black tea amplified by fragrant warm spices.

How to make a chai latte from scratch

The key to a flavorful chai latte begins with infusing a mixture of chai spices into hot water on the stovetop. In doing so, you create a richly spiced chai "concentrate" that you can use to make tea. (I call it a concentrate for lack of a better word, but there's no need to add extra water to it when making your latte.) When the concentrate is heated to near-boiling (about 205ºF-210ºF) it's then combined with black tea. Steep the tea and top it with with sweetened, frothed milk, and you have a homemade chai latte!

What type of milk to use for this recipe

As with all of my latte recipes, I prefer (and highly recommend) using whole milk in this chai. It's creamy and naturally sweet, and its neutral flavor blends well with both coffee and tea. While not as creamy, 2% milk will also work! If you choose to use a dairy-free milk alternative, I'd suggest using whatever your go-to is for lattes.

What type of sweetener to use for this recipe

Honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup are all great options for sweetening a chai latte. Their warm undertones compliment the spice in the drink, and contribute to the overall flavor. Granulated sugar or other sweeteners will also work in a pinch.

Using tea bags vs loose leaf tea

Loose leaf tea is generally superior to tea bags, but I typically make this recipe with tea bags for simplicity's sake. Do your research when purchasing - even tea bags can be high quality if sourced well.

If you do decide to use loose leaf tea, I'd suggest starting with about 2 teaspoons of tea per latte, and adjusting as needed to suit your personal taste.

Using whole spices vs ground spices

Many chai latte recipes call for at least some ground spices, presumably because they're more common and don't have to be infused like whole spices. That being said, I highly recommend using whole spices for this recipe. There's two main reasons for this:

1. Whole spices stay fresh longer and have a stronger flavor. Since a chai latte gets its signature flavor from various spices, I think it makes the most sense to use spices that are as fresh and potent as possible.
2. Ground spices tend to leave a gritty texture in hot drinks. I find that when ground spices are used in hot beverages (like many pumpkin spice lattes), they often give the drink an unpleasant mouthfeel. Whole spices can easily be strained out of any liquid before drinking, for a smoother finished product.

What to do if you don't own a milk frother

In order to give this latte a thick, creamy layer of foam on top, I use a milk frother. It may seem like an unnecessary kitchen appliance to own, but if you make lattes often, I promise it will change. your. life. That being said, if you don't own one and don't plan on buying one, a good alternative is to use a mason jar. Pour the milk into a large jar, shake it vigorously, and then microwave for 30-60 seconds. The foam won't be quite as fine and velvety as what you get with a frother, but still SO much better than regular steamed milk.

Can this be made into a dirty chai latte?

Yes! To make this a dirty chai latte, just add 4 ounces of strongly-brewed coffee or 2 shots of espresso. When adding coffee I also recommend using 1 ½ tablespoons of your sweetener of choice. (This recipe calls for 1-1 ½ tablespoons, to taste.)

Can this latte be made decaf?

Chai lattes are typically caffeinated, but you can always use decaffeinated black tea instead. I'd suggest looking for a tea that's decaffeinated using the Swiss water or CO2 method, as these are non-toxic, chemical free methods for removing caffeine from tea or coffee. Allegro is my go-to brand for decaf black tea.

Can this recipe be made dairy-free/vegan?

As mentioned above, my milk preference for this (or any) latte is whole milk, but technically speaking, any dairy-free or vegan milk alternative can be substituted. I'd recommend using one with a neutral flavor and no sugar added (since this latte is already sweetened).

Can you add collagen to this latte?

Absolutely! Adding collagen peptides to this latte is any easy way to get a little extra protein in your diet, and it doesn't affect the taste at all. I always use Vital Proteins, and recommend adding 1 scoop per latte.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe will make enough chai concentrate for two lattes, but you can easily scale it to make extra. I prefer to make a batch that will last for at least a week's worth of lattes!

Storing the chai concentrate

If you're not using the chai concentrate immediately - or if you make a bigger batch - store it in an mason jar in the refrigerator until ready to use. It should last for at least a couple of weeks.

More cozy drink recipes

Here are a few other beverages to keep you cozy during the cooler months!

Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha

Boozy Eggnog White Hot Chocolate

Creamy Triple Chocolate Mocha

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