This homemade chai tea latte is easy to make, perfectly spiced and customizable to your taste. With just a few pantry staples you can make a warm, creamy latte that’s as good—or better—than your favorite cafe, for a fraction of the cost!
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!
I’ve been making this chai tea latte for years and it never gets old. There’s something so comforting about blending strong black tea with warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves and then topping it with creamy steamed milk. It’s sweet, spicy and oh-so cozy—like a hug in a mug.
This is a staple in my house. Friends request it when they come over and if I don’t have concentrate on hand I whip up a fresh batch. It’s a recipe that brings people together.
And the best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry! This is easy, fast and fully customizable so you can make it to your taste every time. Hot or iced, this is as good as your favorite cafe and will save you money too!
Secrets to the Best Chai Tea Latte:
Making the perfect chai tea latte at home is simpler than you think especially with these tips:
- Full Control: Making your own chai concentrate allows you to adjust the spice levels and sweetness to your liking, along with keeping it fully leaded or decaffeinated.
- Use Whole, Fresh Spices: Fresh cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods and cloves will give you more robust flavor than pre-ground spices.
- Perfect the Sweetness: Try honey, maple syrup or sugar to find your favorite. You can also use sugar replacements and agave syrup too.
- Creamy Milk Matters: Frothy steamed milk is that café quality texture. I’ll show you how to do it at home no fancy tools needed.
With these tips you’ll have a perfectly balanced chai tea latte—warm, spiced and satisfying. Make it yours and sip your way to cozy!
Reasons to Make Homemade Chai Latte
- Quick and Easy: This is an easy recipe that only takes five minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to steep.
- Cheaper Than Starbucks: This small-batch homemade chai tea latte costs a fraction of the price of one at the coffee shop.
- Perfect Balance: My recipe is not too sweet and not too spicy!
What is a Chai Latte?
Chai, also known as masala chai, is commonly called ‘chai tea’ in America. However, that is translated as ‘tea tea’ since the word chai means tea, so when we say Chai Tea Latte, we’re saying “tea tea latte” which is kinda silly, but it’s what we call it.
Traditional chai is made of black tea and warm spices, like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, with a hint of vanilla. It is sometimes sweetened with honey or other sweeteners. Since it uses half tea and half milk, it’s basically a milk tea.
First, I will show you how to make the chai concentrate. Once you have this on hand, the homemade version of a chai tea latte is ready in a jiffy.
Chai Latte Recipe Ingredients
- Make your own Chai Tea Latte Concentrate. Yes, this method takes a little longer, but once you have the concentrate, it’s actually the fastest way! I keep a bottle in my fridge, so when you have a chai emergency, you are ready to go!
- Tea: For the most authentic chai flavor, use Darjeeling black tea. You can also use loose-leaf tea or black tea bags, regular or decaf. Choose the highest-quality tea for the best results. Assam and even Roobios (for a lower-caffeine chai) are also great teas to choose from.
- Water: Steep the spices and tea in filtered hot water.
- Spices: For a flavorful chai tea use cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, fresh nutmeg, and cardamom pods. Star anise is optional. Whole spices are best, but they may be challenging to find, depending on the grocery store and season. You can substitute them with ground spices if necessary. Feel free to try different spices; such as black peppercorns.
- Vanilla: Add depth and creaminess with vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.
- Sweetener: I like using honey, but other sweeteners will do the trick.
- Whole Milk: I like the richness of using whole milk, but use your favorite % or your favorite plant-based milk.
- Ground Cinnamon for sprinkling on top.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Chai Latte Tools
I use this Capresso Milk Frother, add my chai concentrate and milk and heat until steamy and frothy.
How to make a Chai Tea Latte from Scratch
Skip this step if you have already made your concentrate! Be sure to check out my post on how to make Chai Concentrate!
- Start by measuring all of the spices and chai concentrate ingredients. Use the end of a wooden spoon or a mortar and pestle to gently crush the cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom pods, star anise, and fresh ginger in a bowl. Then, grate the nutmeg.
- Next, add filtered water to a saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce to a simmer; adding tea, crushed spices, ginger and vanilla; continue simmering for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, remove it from the heat.
3. Cover the pot and let the chai mixture steep for 10 to 15 minutes. After, place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and carefully pour the concentrate through the sieve. Then, toss the tea and spices.
4. Stir in your choice of sweetener until it is evenly distributed and fully dissolved. Let the tea concentrate cool to room temperature before storing it in a jar or bottle in the refrigerator to stay fresh until serving.
- Simmer chai concentrate for five minutes to avoid bitterness.
- Place spices in a small muslin bag if preferred to avoid the straining step.
- It’s easier to measure all of your ingredients (except the milk) into a small bowl before you start. That way, once your water comes to a boil, you can place everything in the pot.
How to make Chai Tea Latte from Scratch
Heat chai concentrate in one of three ways: stovetop, microwave, or milk frother.
Add your milk of choice to chai directly or warm the milk in the microwave or stovetop until heated, but not boiling. Or pour both ingredients into a milk frother, I like this Capresso as it doesn’t burn the sugars on the bottom.
Or using an electric frother or a whisk, whisk vigorously until the milk is foamy and light. Finally, pour over the heated chai in the mug and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. Sip and relax!
Substitutions and Variations
- Use a 2:1 ratio of chai to milk for a stronger, spicier tea flavor.
- Dirty Chai Tea Latte: Add a shot of espresso or two to the iced or hot chai latte.
- Chocolate Chai: Adding chocolate syrup to the chai or swirling in the mug.
- Spicy Chai: Increase ginger and add 4-8 black peppercorns!
- Different Spices: Swap out spices as desired; try fennel or allspice too!
- Milk Swap: Try whole milk or non-dairy milk, such as almond, oat, or coconut milk.
- Citrus Chai: Orange zest or lemon juice brings brightness.
- If you use dried ginger instead of fresh, double the amount.
- Sweetener Alternatives: Replace the honey with maple syrup, cane sugar, agave, coconut sugar, granulated sugar, brown sugar or your favorite sugar alternative.
- Tea Varieties: Use Earl Grey, Assam, English Breakfast, Roobios or your favorite black tea.
- If you prefer a more bitter chai spice, use less sugar.
How to make Chai Tea Latte using Tea Bags
If you are in a pinch, make a quick chai tea latte concentrate by using quality chai tea bags.
- Brew 2 chai tea bags or 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in boiling water. I like this Rishi brand in a pinch, though it’s nothing like homemade!
- Then add sweetener, I use honey, but you can use your preferred sweetener, like maple syrup, sugar, or alternatives.
- Add a dash of real vanilla extract.
- Using a milk frother or hand frother or even a whisk, heat milk until hot and frothy. I use whole milk and sometimes even add a splash of half and half or heavy cream, but you can use your favorite percentage or non-dairy milk, such as oat milk, cashew milk or almond milk.
- Once your tea has brewed, pour it into a mug. Then, pour the hot milk over the top, sprinkle with cinnamon if desired, and sip and enjoy!
How to make a Chai Tea Latte using concentrate
- Chai tea concentrate: Use your favorite Chai concentrate, I like Trader Joe’s Chai, Oregon Chai and Tazo Decaf Chai concentrate available at grocery stores.
- Milk: I like using whole milk but use your favorite % or plant-based milk!
- Simply heat the concentrate and milk by one of the methods above, pour and swoon!
How to make an Iced Chai Latte
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Then, pour equal parts chai concentrate and milk of your choice or a milk substitute over the ice.
Add to a shaker for a shaken iced latte and shake about 10 times. You can also use a cold frother to froth the milk and add to the homemade chai tea latte recipe. Check out my post on how to make a Starbucks Iced Chai Latte!
Keto Chai Tea Latte
I make these chai tea latte’s low-carb all the time! Swap the honey in the concentrate with sugar-free honey or Monk fruit. For the milk portion, use half almond milk and half heavy cream or coconut milk. Make according to directions and sip and savor!
Storage Tips
Refrigerate – After the concentrate cools, store it in an airtight bottle or mason jar, in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Reheating – Rewarm in a small saucepan on the stove or in the microwave and enjoy!
How to Freeze Chai Latte
You can freeze the chai concentrate in ice cube trays and use for either hot (just reheat) or iced chai latte. Stored in an airtight baggie it will be good for 3-6 months. I’ve never tried freezing the chai tea concentrate with milk, if you try it, let me know how it freezes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black teas such as Darjeeling and Assam are the most common for authentic chai tea latte, but you can also use your favorite black tea.
So simple! You do not need a frother or special machinery to make a homemade chai latte. If you want it frothy, pour the desired amount into a blender and blend for a few seconds. Then, be careful when removing the lid if the mixture is hot because it may spit at you a bit. I suggest placing a tea towel over the lid as you remove it.
Yes, here are a few of the benefits of Chai Tea: It may improve heart health, reduce blood sugar, aid in digestion, reduce nausea, and help with weight loss.
What to serve with Chai Latte Recipe
- Gluten-Free Breakfast Cookies
- Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole
- Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake Recipe
- Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake
- Apple Crumb Cake
Best Desserts for Homemade Chai Tea
This Starbucks Chai Latte is great any time of the day! Breakfast, snack, or afternoon tea! Enjoy it with a Starbucks Copycat Coffee Cake or Cinnamon Crunch Scones. Or serve delicious chai lattes the next time you host family and friends and pair them with my irresistible Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie.
More Teas and Hot Beverages
- Homemade Golden Milk Spice Mix
- Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea Recipe
- Turmeric and Ginger Tea
- Starbucks White Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Christmas Morning Dutch Bros (a chai latte with a twist!)
Make this chai latte just the way you like it! Adjust the spices, choose your favorite sweetener, and pour with your choice of milk, then serve hot or iced!
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Video
Equipment
- Coffee Mug, Coffee Glass, Set of 4 (12oz, 350ml)
- Cuisinart Fine Mesh Stainless Steel Strainers
Ingredients
Chai Tea Concentrate (makes 48 ounces)
- 6 teaspoons Darjeeling black tea or use 6 Darjeeling black tea bags
- 6 cups water filtered, cold or room temperature
- 2-4 inches fresh ginger 1" slices, crushed to release flavors (this ingredient is optional for more of a traditional "bite"
- 2 cinnamon sticks crushed (2 short sticks or one 6-8 inch stick of cinnamon)
- 4-6 whole cloves crushed
- 6-7 cardamom pods crushed
- 1 star anise optional, crushed
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- ¼ -½ teaspoon nutmeg fresh grated
- ¼-⅓ cup honey depending on desired sweetness, white, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave or sugar substitutes may also be used
Chai Latte (1:1 ratio of conecntrate to milk)
- 6 ounces whole milk other % of milk or plant based drinks may be used
- 6 ounces chai concentrate recipe above
Option #2 Quick Chai Tea Latte
- 2 bags chai tea or two 2 teaspoons loose leaf chai tea; use your favorite, I like the Rishi brand
- ½ cup boiled water just boiled, do not overboil
- 1-2 teaspoons honey or favorite sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk use cows milk or your favorite plant based milk
Option #3 Super Fast Chai Tea Latte
- 6 ounces Chai Tea Concentrate store bought, such as Tazo Chai Concentrate, found in tea section
- 6 ounces milk cows milk or your faovirte plant based milk
Instructions
How to make your own chai tea concentrate
- Measure all of your spices and ingredients so you are ready to go.In a bowl using the end of a wooden spoon or using a morter and pestle gently crush the 1-2 cinnamon sticks, 4-6 whole cloves, 4-5 cardamom pods, 1 star anise, and ginger (4 1-inch pieces), grate fresh grated nutmeg (¼-½ tsp2-4 inches fresh ginger, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4-6 whole cloves, 6-7 cardamom pods, 1 star anise, ¼ -½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Bring 6 cups filtered water to a gentle boil and reduce to a simmer; add tea (6 teaspoons or 3-4 tea bags), add crushed spices and vanilla extract (1-2 tsp) to simmering.6 teaspoons Darjeeling black tea, 6 cups water, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer for just 5 minutes (longer will cause your tea to be bitter), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in honey and allow mixture to steep covered for about 10-15 minutes.¼-⅓ cup honey
How to prepare chai latte
- Prepare chai latte with 1:1 ratio of chai concentrate and steamed milk topping with froth. Heat both in small pan on stovetop or using frother.6 ounces whole milk, 6 ounces chai concentrate
Notes
- Starbucks used to use Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate, available in your grocery store. They have regular and decaf and they also make a Skinny Version.
- Pour equal parts of chai concentrate and preferred milk into a small saucepan or frother, heat until simmering, froth milk with whisk or frother, pour together dust with a little cinnamon and enjoy!
- In a heat-proof cup, add tea bags (or loose-leaf tea in an infuser) and pour just boiled water over the top. Steep for 5-10 minutes, the longer it steeps the stronger it is, but also a bit more bitter too.
- Remove tea bags and stir in desired sweetener (honey, etc) and vanilla extract.
- Pour into a 16 ounce mug, heat and froth your milk and pour over the top.
- Use frother for both products, or just heat the milk in the frother depending on tastes.
- Honey may be replaced with all-natural sugar, white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave, or your favorite sugar replacement.
- Adjust the spices to your liking; if you don’t like something leave it out, or you love something, start by adding a little extra at a time, tweaking to make it yours.
- Ginger: if there is too much (or too little ‘bite’) from the ginger, adjust accordingly.
- Optional: add ten peppercorns for even more ‘bite’
Nutrition
Katie
Chai is not an American cuisine. It is from India.
Thank you Katie.
Jean
I’m having trouble finding cardamom, can it be left out? If not what’s a good replacement for it?
Hi Jean, In this day and age, yes, I don’t want people stressing about finding an ingredient. It provides a strong flavor to the chai, so you may want to increase your other spices a wee bit. Kathleen
Vanessa
Thanks for sharing! Does it reheat well?
Hi Vanessa, yes, it reheats beautifully, many times I make a double batch, refrigerate and reheat in my milk frother! Hope you love it! Kathleen
Suzanne
This looks so good! I love all the spices! What a great fall drink to cozy up with!
Thank you Suzanne! It’s such a lovely mix of spices and is the perfect drink for fall!
Suhana Morgan
I love making tea lattes with a maple twist! I start with a strong black tea, like a breakfast variety. Then I add some maple syrup, frothed almond milk, and a sprinkle of cinnamon
Sounds fabulous!
Lynn Spencer
Possibly my most favorite drink. I was made for Chai and Chai was made for me.