Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe

A chai tea latte combines warm spices with creamy milk to create a comforting drink that fills your kitchen with amazing aromas. This drink started in India centuries ago and has become popular around the world. You can make this cozy beverage at home with simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools.

The blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves creates a flavor that tastes both sweet and spicy. This recipe takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and makes a drink that rivals any coffee shop version. You control the sweetness level and can adjust the spices to match your taste preferences perfectly.

Reasons to Try Chai Tea Latte

This drink offers multiple benefits that make it worth preparing at home. The spices contain natural compounds that may support digestion and boost your immune system. Making your own chai tea latte costs less than buying one from a café every day. You know exactly what goes into your cup without hidden sugars or artificial ingredients.

The warming spices create a natural energy lift without the jitters that come from plain coffee. The combination of black tea and milk provides both caffeine and protein to start your morning right. You can customize every element from spice intensity to milk type. The recipe scales easily whether you need one serving or want to make enough for a group. This drink works perfectly for cold weather but also tastes great served over ice during summer months.

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Ingredients Notes

Black Tea: Use loose leaf Assam or Ceylon tea for the strongest flavor. Tea bags work fine but loose tea creates a richer taste. Quality matters here since tea forms the base of your drink.

Whole Spices: Fresh whole spices deliver more flavor than pre-ground versions. Cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, black peppercorns, and fresh ginger root create the authentic taste. Crushing them right before brewing releases essential oils.

Milk: Whole milk creates the creamiest texture. You can substitute with oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk for different dietary needs. Full fat milk froths better than low fat options.

Sweetener: Honey adds floral notes while sugar provides clean sweetness. Maple syrup works well too. Start with less sweetener since you can always add more but cannot remove it.

Water: Filtered water improves the overall taste since tap water sometimes contains minerals that affect flavor.

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How to Make Chai Tea Latte

Step 1: Crush 4 cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, and 4 black peppercorns using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a knife. This releases the aromatic oils inside the spices.

Step 2: Peel and slice a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root into thin rounds. Thinner slices extract more flavor during brewing.

Step 3: Add 2 cups of water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add all the crushed spices and ginger slices to the boiling water.

Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and simmer the spice mixture for 5 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point.

Step 5: Add 2 tablespoons of loose black tea or 2 tea bags to the simmering spice water. Turn off the heat and let the tea steep for 4 minutes.

Step 6: While the tea steeps, heat 2 cups of milk in a separate pan over medium heat until it just begins to steam. Do not let it boil.

Step 7: Strain the tea mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or bowl. This removes all the solid spices and tea leaves.

Step 8: Add your sweetener to taste, starting with 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar. Stir until completely dissolved.

Step 9: Pour the strained tea into two mugs, filling each about halfway. Top with the hot steamed milk.

Step 10: Froth the remaining milk using a whisk or milk frother and spoon the foam on top of each latte. Sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon if desired.

What You Must Know About Chai Tea Latte

The spices must simmer long enough to release their flavors but tea should not steep longer than 4 minutes or it becomes bitter. Watch your milk carefully because it can boil over quickly and create a mess. Whole spices require crushing to unlock their full flavor potential. Pre-ground spices will not give you the same depth of taste.

If you skip straining the mixture, you will end up with gritty spices in your drink. The ratio of tea to milk matters for achieving the right balance of flavors. Too much milk makes it taste bland while too much tea makes it overly strong. Fresh ginger tastes sharper than dried ginger powder so adjust quantities accordingly. Sugar dissolves better in hot liquid so add it to the tea before mixing with milk.

Helpful Tips

Toast your whole spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before crushing them to intensify their flavors. Make a large batch of the spice and tea concentrate, then store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can heat individual portions and add fresh milk as needed throughout the week. Use a milk frother or immersion blender to create extra foam on top of your latte.

This makes it look professional and adds a creamy texture. If you like stronger tea flavor, add an extra tablespoon of tea leaves or steep for an additional minute. For a shortcut version, you can use chai tea concentrate from the store but homemade tastes fresher. Try adding a small pinch of vanilla extract to the milk for extra depth. Cold brew the tea overnight in the refrigerator for a smoother, less bitter flavor profile.

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Variations and Substitutions

Replace regular milk with coconut cream for a tropical twist that adds richness. Use rooibos tea instead of black tea to make a caffeine-free version that kids can enjoy. Add a star anise pod to the spice mix for a licorice-like flavor note. Swap honey for date syrup or agave nectar if you prefer different sweetness profiles. Include a pinch of turmeric with your spices for added color and health benefits.

Make it iced by brewing the tea concentrate stronger, then pouring it over ice with cold milk. Use decaf black tea if you want to enjoy chai tea latte in the evening without affecting your sleep. Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to create a chocolate chai fusion drink. Replace half the milk with heavy cream for an extra indulgent treat. Try masala chai spice blend from an Indian grocery store if you want a more authentic regional flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Chai Tea Latte

Serve your chai tea latte in clear glass mugs so you can see the beautiful layers of tea and milk. Pair it with buttered toast or scones for a classic breakfast combination. This drink complements cookies, especially ginger snaps or shortbread varieties. Add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer for visual appeal and extra flavor. Dust the foam with a mixture of cinnamon and cocoa powder to create a pretty design on top.

Serve alongside fruit like sliced apples or pears that match the warm spice flavors. This latte works perfectly with breakfast pastries like croissants or muffins. For a dessert presentation, serve with a small piece of dark chocolate on the side. The drink pairs well with savory breakfast items like eggs and avocado toast too. Create a chai tea latte bar at brunch where guests can customize their own spice levels and milk choices.

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Storage and Reheating

Store the brewed tea concentrate separately from milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This allows you to make fresh individual servings quickly throughout the week. Do not store the mixed latte as the milk and tea separate and the texture becomes unappealing. Reheat the tea concentrate gently on the stove or in the microwave, then add fresh hot milk. Never boil the mixture during reheating as this makes the spices taste harsh and bitter. If you made too much, freeze the tea concentrate in ice cube trays.

Pop out a few cubes and add hot milk for a quick chai tea latte anytime. The whole spices can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. Keep opened cardamom pods in the freezer to maintain their aromatic oils longer. Fresh ginger root stays fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 weeks when stored in a paper bag.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Nutritional values are approximate and vary based on specific ingredients and portions used. Values shown are for whole milk with 2 tablespoons of honey.

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Perfect Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe (Better Than Coffee Shops!)

Make a delicious chai tea latte at home with this simple recipe using fresh spices, black tea, and creamy milk. Ready in just 15 minutes with authentic flavors that beat any café version.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Beverage

Cuisine Indian, Fusion

Servings 2 servings

Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups water
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 4 black peppercorns
• 1- inch piece fresh ginger root
• 2 tablespoons loose black tea or 2 tea bags
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
• Pinch of ground cinnamon for garnish optional

Instructions

 

• Crush cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, and peppercorns using mortar and pestle
• Peel and slice ginger root into thin rounds
• Bring water to boil in saucepan and add all crushed spices and ginger
• Reduce heat to medium and simmer spice mixture for 5 minutes
• Add black tea to simmering water, turn off heat, and steep for 4 minutes
• Heat milk in separate pan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling
• Strain tea mixture through fine mesh strainer into measuring cup
• Add sweetener to strained tea and stir until dissolved
• Pour half of tea into each mug
• Top each mug with hot steamed milk
• Froth remaining milk and spoon foam on top
• Garnish with pinch of cinnamon if desired

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