Make your holidays magical with this Copycat Dutch Bros Christmas Morning Chai! It’s a cozy blend of spiced chai tea, creamy half-and-half, and sweet white chocolate syrup. Whether you prefer it hot or iced, I’ll share my tips and tricks to make this festive latte even better than the original—perfect for your holiday season!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Why You Will Love Christmas Morning Chai
Maybe you don’t live in the west and have never heard of Dutch Bros — for that I am truly sorry! But that’s why I create yummy copycat recipes for you!
For a truly homemade touch, use my homemade chai concentrate—it’s loaded with warm, rich spices that take it to a whole new level. Want to keep it simple? Use the Oregon Chai concentrate like Dutch Bros uses in their Christmas Morning Chai latte. Either way, you’ll end up with a drink that’s cozy and customizable.
During testing, I found a few tricks to make it even better. If you’re using the instant powder, using ¾ cups of water instead of 8 ounces intensifies the chai flavor. Adding more chai than half and half gives you a stronger, spicier latte that showcases those holiday flavors (and just so happens to cut a few calories). You can always adjust to taste, but these are my tips for the best results.
- Copycat Expertise: This is a total game-changer if you’re a chai tea lover like me. It’s cheap, easy, and tastes just like the real deal Dutch Bros latte.
- Save $$: You’ll skip the drive-thru and make this at home anytime you want that holiday chai magic, especially great if you don’t live near a Dutch Bros.
- Holiday Perfection: This latte fits into all your holiday plans. Hosting a breakfast or brunch? Serving tea on Christmas Eve? Waking up on Christmas morning? Whether you serve it hot for a warm hug in a mug or iced for a twist, it’s a hit with kids and adults.
- Chai Breve: My favorite “foo-foo” coffee order is a vanilla breve latte, and this recipe transforms Christmas morning chai into a chai breve! Breve means using rich, creamy half-and-half instead of steamed milk, making this chai latte irresistibly smooth and indulgent.
What is Dutch Bros.?
Dutch Bros. (short for Dutch Brothers) started as a pushcart business in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma (hence Dutch Bros) in Grants Pass, Oregon. Since then, they have been spreading their values of community and relationship across the United States. I discovered Dutch Bros. in the Denver area a few years back when I first sipped this cozy drink.
What is Chai?
We American’s call it Chai tea, but that is like saying “tea tea”. Chai is the word for tea in the Assam region of India, a blend of black tea leaves, fresh ginger and whole spices like cinnamon sticks, black pepper, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom pods and notes of warm vanilla. Basically it is a black tea that is filled with aromatic spices that are healthy and good for you. Typically sweetened with honey, chai drinks have become an American favorite.
Christmas Morning Chai Ingredients
- Oregon Chai Tea: Dutch Bros. uses Oregon Chai for their chai, but do they use the instant powder mix (Chai tea packets) or the concentrate? Calories are about the same either way, but I prefer the ingredients in the carton of chai concentrate to the Oregon Chai Tea Latte powder mix. Either way, no tea bags are necessary! In fact they aren’t strong enough!
- Half and Half: Using half and half separates this delicious drink from the rest, making it a chai breve. You may use whole milk or lesser percentages, but it won’t be quite as creamy.
- White Chocolate Syrup: It’s not overly white chocolatey, I used Torani brand which is what Dutch Bros. uses. However; I have used Ghirardelli White Chocolate as well. You could also use Torani white chocolate syrup (regular or sugar-free) but use a little at first, flavoring to taste.
- Whipped Cream: Both the hot and the iced chai tea versions of this Christmas morning chai are served with a thick topping of whipped cream. Use canned whipped cream or make your own, homemade whipped cream. I love my Otis whipped cream dispenser it’s so much cheaper and superior to canned whipped cream.
- Nutmeg: Every good Christmas drink needs a good sprinkling of fresh nutmeg (this is my favorite spice grater) and a drizzle of white chocolate sauce.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Christmas Morning Chai
Let’s jump in and make this easy peasy Christmas morning chai.
Step 1 – Hot Christmas Morning Chai Tea Latte
Heat your chai tea on the stove in a small saucepan or in the microwave until hot.
For a true latte-style drink, use a frother to heat the half-and-half until hot and foamy.
If you don’t have a frother that heats or does cold foam. Heat the milk in microwave or pan, then use a hand frother or even pulse a few times in a blender (be careful with hot liquids).
Drizzle your mug with white chocolate sauce and pour in the hot chai, quickly topping it with foam and hot half and half, spooning the foam on top.
Finish your cup of tea, by stirring in an additional tablespoon of white chocolate syrup and top it with a generous serving of whipped cream. If desired, top with grated nutmeg and a few swizzles of white chocolate sauce.
Step 2 – Iced Christmas Morning Chai Recipe
Equally as delicious and I have made and served it both ways, make your own version of chai tea by placing the ingredients with ice in a blender for a frozen drink.
Do not heat the chai, but instead pour it over a glass filled with ice cubes until about halfway, drizzling white chocolate syrup in the glass ahead of time. Then, if a foamy latte-style drink is desired, whir the cold half and half in a blender, use a hand frother, or use a cold foam frother to blend, pouring it on top of the chai. Add whipping cream and fresh nutmeg.
- Freeze leftover chai concentrate into ice cubes, then use those in place of ice when making Iced Christmas Morning Chai.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Christmas morning chai from Dutch Bros is a specialty drink from the chai menu. It is a breve chai drink that includes white chocolate. Breve means a drink made with half and half and can be cold or hot.
With warm holiday spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, it takes on a decidedly gingerbread latte flavor that wraps you in the comfort of Christmas morning. Plus, its white color is perfect for Christmas breakfast.
It depends on how you drink your chai; the health benefits of straight chai exceed the health benefits of coffee. But if you doctor up your chai or your coffee with sugar, syrups and dairy products, then they are pretty much tied.
Variations & Substitutions
- Dark Chocolate | Instead of or in addition to, make your chai tea latte using dark chocolate syrup.
- Vanilla | Love more vanilla? Add a little vanilla syrup or ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Dirty Chai | A dirty masala chai consists of adding a shot of espresso to your chai concentrate.
- Simple Syrups | If you like your chai extra sweet, add a few teaspoons of your favorite syrup. Try my cane sugar syrup or this brown sugar syrup.
- Vegan Christmas Morning Chai | To make a dairy-free Christmas morning chai latte, replace the half and half with your favorite, rich and creamy plant-based milk and top with a dairy-free whipped topping.
Recommended Equipment
- Frother – I love this frother, it makes hot foam or cold foam depending on whether you making a hot drink or cold drink. But you can get a similar results by heating your half and half until hot (not boiling) on the stovetop or in the microwave and placing in a blender whirring for a few pulses. Or use a hand held frother.
More Christmas Drinks
Whether you are looking for drinks for Christmas morning or Christmas cocktails, I’ve got some great ones for you.
- Pomegranate Punch | delicious made with or without alcohol.
- Easy Cranberry Spritzer (by the glass or pitcher) | Kids love this drink!
- Cranberry Lemon Drop Martini | A holiday classic
- Turmeric and Ginger Tea | a warm, healing drink
- McDonald’s Eggnog Shake or this Eggnog Latte!
What to Serve with Christmas Morning Chai
- Serve this tasty drink with my Gooey Cinnamon rolls and these Breakfast Sliders for a simple, make-ahead Christmas breakfast.
- This flavorful drink is perfect with my Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake, Eggnog Coffee Cake or this Christmas Cranberry Cake.
Crockpot Christmas Morning Chai (for a crowd)
Serve this delicious drink hot and ready to ladle into mugs for your holiday celebrations. It serves about 8 (7-ounce servings) and easily doubles or reduces.
- Pour 1 (32-ounce) carton of Chai Tea Latte concentrate into the crockpot.
- Add 3 cups half and half and stir.
- Add 2 cinnamon sticks for a little extra spice.
- Stir in ¼ – ½ cup white chocolate sauce
- Heat on LOW for about 4 hours, if you have less time, heat on stovetop until simmering, then transfer to low in crockpot.
- Serve with whipped cream, extra White chocolate sauce and fresh nutmeg
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I hope you loved this Christmas morning chai Dutch Bros — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
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Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Chai Tea Concentrate I used Oregon Chai, may also use instant chai packets or your favorite brand
- ⅓- ½ cup half and half this is what makes this drink extra creamy, use other percentages of milk or plant-based milks at your discretion
- 1-2 tablespoons white chocolate sauce Swirl some in the mug/glass and stir some in too.
- whipped cream to top the drink
- nutmeg fresh grated is best
Instructions
Hot Christmas Morning Chai
- On the stovetop in a small saucepan, heat desired number of servings of chai concentrate until simmering and hot. Or place in mug and heat in microwave. If using instant, heat 6 ounces of water until boiling, mix with instant chai until dissolved.¾ cup Chai Tea Concentrate
- Meanwhile, in a frother or on the stovetop, heat half and half until hot, but not boiling. See notes for how to froth if you don't have a frother.⅓- ½ cup half and half
- Squirt white chocolate sauce into mug, lining the sides if desired. Pour in hot chai, stir in white chocolate sauce if desired.1-2 tablespoons white chocolate sauce
- Add heated half and half and place foam on the top. Top with whipped cream, grated nutmeg and a drizzle of white chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.whipped cream, nutmeg
Iced Christmas Morning Chai
- Using a cold foam frother if available, foam your half and half. See notes for how to froth cold foam if you don't have a frother.¾ cup Chai Tea Concentrate, ⅓- ½ cup half and half
- Drizzle white chocolate sauce on the sides of the glass, then fill with ice cubes.1-2 tablespoons white chocolate sauce
- Pour chai concentrate over ice cubes. Drizzle in white chocolate sauce (if using a bit more), slowly pour in frothed half and half, top with whipped cream, nutmeg and a drizzle of white chocolate sauce.whipped cream, nutmeg
Notes
- Dark Chocolate | Instead of or in addition to, make your chai tea latte using dark chocolate syrup.
- Vanilla | Love more vanilla? Add a little vanilla syrup or ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Dirty Chai | A dirty masala chai consists of adding a shot of espresso to your chai concentrate.
- Simple Syrups | If you like your chai extra sweet, add a few teaspoons of your favorite syrup. Try my cane sugar syrup or this brown sugar syrup.
- Vegan Christmas Morning Chai | To make a dairy-free Christmas morning chai latte, replace the half and half with your favorite, rich and creamy plant-based milk and top with a dairy-free whipped topping.
- Pour 1 (32 ounce) carton of Chai Tea Latte concentrate into crockpot.
- Add 3 cups half and half and stir.
- Add 2 cinnamon sticks for a little extra spice.
- Stir in ¼ – ½ cup white chocolate sauce
- Heat on LOW for about 4 hours, if you have less time, heat on stovetop until simmering, then transfer to low in crockpot.
- Serve with whipped cream, extra White chocolate sauce and fresh nutmeg
Nutrition
Mirlene
I love this chai tea! The chocolate syrup added some sweetness to it and was such a delight to sip on it!
So glad Mirlene!
Sisley White - Sew White
That little hint of white chocolate was brilliant. I can’t wait to have this on Christmas morning again.
Yay! Delicious enough to keep you in the holiday spirit all season long!
Jess
I love a good copycat recipe that keeps me from having to go out and buy it for too much money!
Exactly!
Sonal Gupta
This is such a fantastic recipe to make on a holiday break. I am making it soon. Will keep you posted.
Let me know what you think!
Chenée
Yumm! The perfect morning treat. I can’t wait to try this chai!
Thank you!
Ieva
What a wonderful drink! I will definitely enjoy it more often than just Christmas morning! Need to try it cold too 🙂
Absolutely! I’ve been enjoying one a couple times a week!
Rachna
I have never had anything like this. It sounds really delicious and different. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you love it!
Anjali
I couldn’t wait until Christmas morning to make this chai! It is so warming and delicious, it’s becoming a staple for me all fall and winter long!
Definitely not just for Christmas morning!
Sharon
This will be perfect for impressing the family on Christmas! A nice switch up from regular coffee.
It really is, I have yet to find someone who doesn’t love it! Thank you Sharon!
MacKenzie
Love this! I tried this last weekend and love the addition of cream, it makes the chai very rich and decadent. Can’t wait to serve on Christmas.
Yes! I love breve drinks like this!
Charles
Ah, Christmas morning Chai! Looks decadently delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Yay!! You are most welcome Charles!