This homemade chai tea latte recipe is internet famous and loved by thousands of readers. And it’s way better than a Starbucks chai tea latte. Made with simple pantry ingredients: black tea, warming spices, and milk. This from-scratch recipe is a tea lover’s favorite: rich and warming chai flavor with the perfect touch of natural sweetness. The perfect balance that makes this tea a must-make.
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What Makes This Recipe So Good?
I created this recipe in 2014. I had a costly obsession with a Starbucks chai latte. In an effort to lower expenses, I decided to experiment with making a chai latte at home.
I found a few home chai lattes online, all of which suggested using a pre-made chai tea mix. I tried this option, but they all lacked the coffee shop flavor.
I decided to make my own chai spice blend, using ingredients from my pantry, and pairing this blend with black tea. After researching the spices used to make traditional chai, and seeing what was stocked in my pantry, I decided to go with the following spices…
- Cinnamon: Also used to make banana bread, pumpkin spice latte, and homemade granola.
- Ginger: Used in stir-fry sauce, homemade granola, and delicious in smoothies.
- Cardamom: Delicious in homemade granola, muffins (like zucchini chai muffins), and quick breads. Fun fact: also commonly used as a supplement due to its health benefits: anti-inflammatory.
- Nutmeg: Used to make banana bread, pumpkin spice latte, and many other baked goods.
- Whole Cloves: Something I don’t use very often. In the fall, add to boiling water to make your house smell amazing. If you don’t have whole cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves will also work.
- Allspice: Has the flavor of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg all combined into one; great for baking.
What Readers Say:
“Best Chai Tea I have ever had! And it is very easy as well – very little active time”
KAITILYN
I infused the spices in boiling water to release their flavor and added black tea bags. Black tea is on the stronger side, so it balances perfectly with the warm flavor of the spices.
The end result was a DELICIOUS homemade chai tea concentrate that I could store in the fridge and reheat with milk to make a homemade latte. No coffee shop needed!
And the best part? It’s inexpensive to make considering that most of the spices are common pantry items that may also be used in other ways.
What is a Chai Tea Latte?
Chai tea latte originated in India. In India, the word chai translates to “tea.”
So yes, calling this drink a chai tea latte is technically saying “tea tea latte.” Since most of us, in the Western world, order “a chai tea latte, please” at the coffee shop, that’s what I’m going with today.
A traditional chai tea latte is a combination of tea and milk. The homemade chai tea latte recipe we’re going to make today, and what most of us recognize as that infamous chai latte taste, is called masala chai.
The main ingredients are a blend of tea, milk, and different spices (like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger).
Ingredients Needed
This recipe is inspired by a traditional masala chai, with a rich, warm flavor, but modified to use simple and inexpensive pantry ingredients that are common in American homes: tea bags, chai spices, and milk. Here’s what you need.
For the Chai Concentrate:
- 2 cups water
- 2 black tea bags (like English breakfast) or 4 grams of loose-leaf tea leaves
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 2 TB pure maple syrup
You’ll use 1/2 cup of homemade chai concentrate at a time to make a latte. This concentrate stores well in the fridge, for up to 2 weeks. You can make up to 4 lattes with this concentrate. And the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
To Make a Latte:
- 1/2 cup chai tea concentrate from the recipe above
- 3/4 cup whole milk or dairy-free milk: coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk
- 1 TB pure maple syrup or honey
- pinch ground cinnamon
Tools Needed
- small saucepan
- fine mesh strainer
- immersion blender or fork for making frothed milk
Chai Latte Recipe Video Tutorial
How to Make, Step By Step
Total Time: Making the chai concentrate is the most time-consuming part of this recipe (10 minutes). Make the concentrate in advance if you want to enjoy a quick and easy latte for breakfast or a quick drink. Once you have the chai concentrate, the latte takes about 5 minutes to prepare.
Step 1: Make the Chai Concentrate
Heat 2 cups of water and the spices in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stove top. Let the ingredients simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add 2 tea bags and maple syrup (or honey).
After another 5 minutes, pour the concentrate (hot water, spices, sweetener and tea bags) through a fine mesh strainer and into a bowl.
Reserve 1/2 cup of this chai tea concentrate to immediately make a latte. And store the remaining concentrate in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Time-Saving Tip: Short on time? Buy a chai concentrate or “chai tea bags” (which pre-mix spices with black tea) from the store. Store-bought concentrates and pre-mixed tea bags lack the strong flavor profile that you’ll get from this homemade concentrate, but they will give you the chai experience if you’re short on time.
Step 2: Warm & Froth the Milk for the Latte
In a small saucepan, bring 3/4 cup milk, a tablespoon of maple syrup (or honey), and a pinch of cinnamon to a slight boil. Once the sides of the milk begin to bubble, remove the pan from the heat.
Using an immersion blender blend the milk until it’s frothy (just a few seconds). This is the trick to making a homemade latte without a professional milk frother. If you don’t have an immersion blender, use a fork and vigorously whisk the milk mixture.
An immersion blender is also great for making creamy soups, sauces, and dips, like tomato soup, butternut squash soup, veggie-packed spaghetti sauce, and eggplant dip.
Time-Saving Tip: Use the microwave and heat-safe bowl to warm the milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Warm the milk for about 30 seconds, then continue for another 30 seconds if needed, until warm.
Step 3: Combine the Frothed Milk and Chai Concentrate
Pour 1/2 cup of the hot chai concentrate into a mug. Then slowly pour in the frothed milk. Sprinkle the top of the chai tea latte with an extra pinch of cinnamon, if desired.
Time-Saving Tip: Double or triple the concentrate recipe so you can easily enjoy a latte each day. The concentrate will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Shake the concentrate before pouring into a mug and reheating in the microwave. Alternatively, use chilled chai concentrate to make an iced latte with ice and milk.
3 Variations: Iced, Dirty, Pumpkin Spice
Variation 1: Iced Chai Latte
Chill the homemade chai concentrate in the refrigerator. Add 1/2 cup of the cold concentrate to a glass filled with ice cubes, then pour your favorite milk over the top. Follow this iced chai latte recipe.
During the summer, I keep a jar of the concentrate in my fridge. An iced latte is the perfect way to beat the summer heat (along with homemade popsicles)!
I recommend doubling the chai concentrate recipe if you plan to make an iced latte frequently. The concentrate will stay fresh in the fridge for up 2 weeks. Just shake before use.
Chai Ice Cubes: Another option is to pour the concentrate into an ice cube tray and freeze. Add the chai ice cubes to a glass of milk. As the ice melts, you’ll have a delicious latte that isn’t watered down.
Variation 2: Dirty Chai Latte
A dirty chai tea latte is made with a shot of espresso. Regular coffee just doesn’t have the same rich flavor and creaminess as espresso, but in a pinch you could use about 2 tablespoons of regular coffee (or up to 1/4 cup). Add 1 shot of espresso to a mug, then 1/2 cup chai concentrate, followed by the frothed milk.
Variation 3: Pumpkin Spice Chai
I love my homemade pumpkin spice latte, and recently decided to add pumpkin puree to this chai recipe. So GOOD! Warm 1-2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) with the milk and maple syrup. Then froth the hot milk mixture with an immersion blender or fork. Add the pumpkin milk to the chai concentrate for a pumpkin-flavored chai that beats Starbucks any day.
What kind of tea is best to use?
Make the chai concentrate with black tea bags (like English Breakfast) or black tea leaves (loose). Black tea is strong enough to hold up to the warm, flavorful spices. It also provides a good amount of caffeine, which is nice for a morning pick-me-up.
Green tea and herbal teas aren’t strong enough to hold up to spices and are not recommended.
I think you’ll find the flavor and taste of this homemade drink is far superior to anything you’ll get at coffee houses (including Starbucks). Give it a try and tell me what you think!
Homemade Chai Tea Latte
Equipment
- 1 medium saucepan
- 1 immersion blender or fork for frothing the milk
- fine mesh sieve for straining the spices from the chai concentrate
Ingredients
Homemade Chai Concentrate:
- 2 cups water
- 2 black tea bags like English breakfast, OR 4 grams of loose-leaf tea leaves
- 2 whole cloves or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 2 TB pure maple syrup or honey
Chai Latte:
- 1/2 cup homemade chai tea concentrate from the recipe above
- 3/4 cup whole milk or dairy-free milk: coconut milk, cashew milk, almond milk, oat milk
- 1 TB pure maple syrup or honey
- pinch ground cinnamon
Instructions
Homemade Chai Concentrate
- In a small saucepan, bring the water and spices to a boil. Whisk the spices in the water. Once the water reaches a boil, turn off the heat and allow the spices to steep in the water for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, turn the heat back on and add the black tea bags and maple syrup. Return to a slight boil (the goal is a hot liquid for steeping). Once boiling, turn off the heat. Steep the tea bags in the water and spices for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer. Reserve 1/2 cup of chai concentrate to make a latte right now. Store the remaining chai concentrate in a jar in the fridge up to 2 weeks.
Make a Chai Latte:
- In a small saucepan, bring the milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon to a slight boil (the sides of the milk will begin to bubble), stirring often. Once the sides of the milk begin to bubble, remove the pan from heat.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the milk until it's frothy. Alternatively, use a fork to vigorously whisk and froth the milk.
- Pour 1/2 cup chai concentrate into a mug. Slowly pour in the frothed milk. Sprinkle the top with an extra pinch of cinnamon, if desired.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
What to serve with this drink?
There’s nothing like enjoying a warm latte with a muffin, scone, or slice of bread. Here are a few of my favorite baked goods to serve with this latte, for the ultimate at-home coffee shop experience.
Favorite Homemade Coffee Shop Drinks
- How to Make Chai Concentrate With Tea Bags
- Ultimate Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe
- Iced Chai Tea Latte (Homemade Starbucks Copycat Recipe)
- Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate (Dairy or Dairy Free)
- Homemade Mocha Peppermint Latte
- How to Make a Turmeric Latte (Golden Milk)
- How to Make Homemade Coffee Creamer
- Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte Two Ways
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Hiiii! This immersion blender idea to froth the milk just made my day, and changed my life!!!! Thanks 🙂
I cut down on the maple syrup but still found it very sweet and would add extra spicy, otherwise I know I will make this again 🙂
Awesome, Dania! Glad the tip was helpful, and you enjoyed the latte.
Oh my days this is delightful! Wasn’t expecting it to be that good at all! I used soy milk and it’s worked really well 🙂 Also I didn’t have maple syrup but substituted with some sugar and some vanilla extract in the milk. Thank you!!
Hey Carys, I’m so glad you enjoyed the latte!
Thank you for this! I did switch out the milk for almond milk and it turned out wonderful! Even though it’s July I always need to have a cup of tea, and I’ve always wanted to make a latte 🙂
Awesome, Rachel! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I just wanted to say that I stumbled across your site two days ago after searching for how to make a homemade chai latte. I made this recipe and it is delicious! I have looked over the whole site in the last two days and am inspired! I saved many food recipes as well as many of the DIYs. As I run out of my current household products I plan to make all my own! Thank you for the inspiration and amazing recipes and DIYs. I am on my way living in a natural home and eating REAL food 🙂
Hey Samantha, That’s so great! I’m so excited for you!!
This looks great, I made your pumpkin spice latte this morning and loved it. Say I wanted to make this a dirty chai, but keep it at the same amount as I only have 16 oz mug, how would you suggest I adjut this and how mich coffee should I add?
Hey CHolly, I’m so glad you enjoyed the PSL this morning! Hmmm, for the dirty chai, I would probably use 1/2 cup coffee (or two shots of espresso), and then add about the same amount of tea. Also, I would reduce the milk to compensate for the coffee addition. Of course, I haven’t tried these recommendations ;), but that’s what I’m thinking off the top of my head. Let me know how it goes!
hi, im going to make this recipe tomorrow, i am not sure what black tea bags i need to buy. As im not sure tea such as earl grey or rooibus will work?
Hey Lauren, Yes, either of those options will work! Enjoy!!
Hi! Do you use ground cardamom or pods? Thanks!! I cannot wait to try this.
Hey Lacey, I use ground cardamom, but you could definitely use pods if you have them!
Update: I tried subbing vanilla chai for the black tea and spices (except the additional cinnamon) and I also used coffee instead of water and sweetened it with liquid stevia. It is delicious! Thanks so much for this recipe!
Yum, Beth! That sounds amazing!
This looks delicious! What substitutions would I make if I used a chai black tea? Would I cut out the spices that you steep in the tea? Thanks in advance!
Hey Beth, Yes, exactly :). Just use the chai tea bag versus the spices. Brew the tea and then froth the milk.
Just made this and it was everything I’d hoped it be. Such a comforting drink, and there’s something so satisfying wholesome about making it from scratch and knowing there’s no nasty additives in there. I have the added benefit of using my milk frother on my coffee machine too which makes this super luxurious. Thank you for the recipe, this is definitely my new treat!
Yay, Danielle! I’m so glad the latte was everything you hoped it would be! I agree…”from scatch” always tastes sooo good!
AMAZING!!! I have made this three times and with coffee 2 times! delicious!! 🙂 I made it with coconut milk and a little coconut half and half. Better than with regular milk!! My mom loves it!!
Awesome, Meaghan! I’m so glad you loved the latte. I bet coconut milk and half and half were a lovely addition.
This is a great recipe. For those restricting sugars and don’t care for sugar substitutes (that’s me) I left the maple syrup out. The natural milk sugars still made the latte enjoyably sweet.
Awesome, Beverly! I’m glad you enjoyed the chai latte.
perfecto!!! amazing stuff right here! I had no idea what chai tea was, because I’ve never been to Starbucks (I’m from buffalo, so we’re tim Hortons nuts !)
ny husband brought me a few sample chai tea k cups and I was afraid to try them. I made your recipe instead and omggggggggg I’m and now converted from coffee to chai tea every morning 🙂 takes longer to morning ale but it’s worth it… and the k cups still haven’t been used 🙂 do u think they’d be similar?
This sounds so simple, I can’t wait to make it tomorrow!
Thank you, Yoana! Enjoy!
I use a one cup size French press for foaming the hot milk. I also sub out some of the milk for hot water, still delish!
Yum, Nancy, great idea!
Hey Kristin,
I was just wondering, and I’m clearly the only one. In the recipe you state 2 whole cloves. 2 whole cloves of what?
Hey Michelle, Whole cloves like this: http://amzn.to/1SCTo6I :). Cloves, the spice, come in two forms: ground and whole.
Home with a cold and decided to give this a try…so delish, comforting and adding a cinnamon stick to my cup made me feel much better! To adjust the spiciness to my taste, I just added a bit more chai to the milk. Thanks for a great recipe!
Hey Kathleen, I’m so glad this drink was such a comfort! Feel better soon!
Oh so yummy! And not full of yucky bad for me stuff! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you like the latte, Trisha!
Thank you for the delicious recipe. I love it!
Merci 🙂
Wonderful, Lise! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the chai latte!
Hello!
Thank you for the recipe!! I’ve just made my first batch of concentrate, however, it didn’t turn out quite as spicy as i would like it to be (there seems to be just a tiny trace of spiciness). I am not very sure if it’s due to my spices or it was meant to be this way? Also, if i would like to increase the spiciness, which spices should i add more of?
Thank you!!!
Hey Rachel, This will really depend on your personal taste. I would probably increase the cinnamon and cardamom, then taste-test and add any additional spices.