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chai tea latte recipe

Chai Tea Latte Recipe (Copycat)

A homemade Starbucks-inspired chai tea latte that can be made hot or iced. This versatile recipe features a perfectly spiced chai concentrate that can be prepared ahead and customized with your choice of milk.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 1 Serving
Calories: 135
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

For the Chai Concentrate (makes about 4 cups)
  • 4 cups water
  • 4-5 high-quality black tea bags Assam or Darjeeling work best
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 8-10 whole cloves
  • 6-8 whole cardamom pods slightly crushed
  • 1 inch piece fresh ginger sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/8 teaspoon star anise optional, but adds authentic depth
  • 3-4 tablespoons honey or brown sugar adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Each Latte
  • 1/2 cup chai tea concentrate
  • 1/2 cup milk of choice whole milk, almond milk, or oat milk
For Iced Version
  • ice cubes
  • 1/4 cup cold milk
For Dirty Chai Variation
  • 1 shot espresso or 1/4 cup strong coffee
For Garnish
  • whipped cream optional, for topping
  • ground cinnamon or chai spice mix for garnish

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker or mason jar
  • measuring spoons

Method
 

Prepare the Chai Concentrate
  1. Combine water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom pods, ginger slices, peppercorns, and star anise (if using) in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. This slow simmer allows the spices to release their essential oils and flavors—don't rush this step!
Add Tea and Sweetener
  1. Remove the saucepan from heat and add the tea bags. Cover and steep for 5-7 minutes. For a stronger flavor, steep closer to 7 minutes, but be careful not to over-steep as it can become bitter. Remove tea bags, then stir in your sweetener of choice and vanilla extract until completely dissolved.
Strain and Store
  1. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass container, pressing gently on the spices to extract maximum flavor. Let cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This concentrate will keep for up to one week in the refrigerator, making morning chai lattes a breeze!
Prepare Hot Chai Latte
  1. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of chai concentrate with 1/2 cup milk. Heat over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling (about 3-4 minutes). For extra frothy texture, use an immersion blender or whisk vigorously while heating. Pour into your favorite mug and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Prepare Iced Chai Latte
  1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour 1/2 cup cold chai concentrate over the ice, followed by 1/2 cup cold milk. Stir gently to combine. For an extra-cold treat, use a cocktail shaker to blend the milk and concentrate before pouring over ice.
Make It Dirty (Optional)
  1. For a "dirty chai" variation that provides an extra caffeine kick, add a shot of espresso or 1/4 cup of strong coffee to either the hot or iced version. This creates a beautiful flavor fusion that many find even more addictive than the original!