Homemade Chai Tea Latte
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Save money with this simple and delicious homemade coffee-free Chai Tea Latte recipe! Darjeeling tea infused with the rich warm spices of cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger. It has all the right spices, beautifully blended, and extremely smooth, the kind of drink that warms you through and through.
Whether you drink it warm or iced, this is a beautifully balanced beverage.
Serve hot or in a tall glass over ice and if you enjoy this recipe you might enjoy my bulletproof coffee or Golden Milk Turmeric Tea.
I’ve definitely acquired a taste for Chai, some are too spicy, but I love this one, it is the perfect balance of not-to-sweet and not-to-spicy!
I came across this recipe for small batch homemade chai tea latte that you can keep in your fridge at a fraction of the cost it will cost you to buy one at a coffee shop.
I found it in a cookbook I picked up while on vacation; I love picking up local cookbooks with recipes from local restaurants and B & B’s, some are winners some are not, but this is most definitely a winner!!
You may have to go out and buy a few of the ingredients, but once you have them hopefully you’ll be fine for awhile. (Note the missing ginger, sigh)
Homemade Chai Latte Ingredients
- Darjeeling Tea | traditionally used, but other black teas would work as well
- filtered water
- fresh ginger | the ginger is what some people do not like in Chai, try with and without!
- cinnamon sticks
- whole cloves
- powdered cardamom
- vanilla bean |or vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- nutmeg | just a touch, fresh is so amazing
- sugar | I always use all natural cane sugar
- honey | I love using local, raw and unfiltered honey
- milk | I used whole milk, use what you like, plant based should work too!
I made two batches of this for two different gatherings, back-to-back and both times I completely spaced the ginger!
It’s easier if you measure all of your ingredients (except the milk) into a small bowl before you get started, that way once your water comes to a boil, you can place everything in the pot.
How Do you make Chai Tea Latte from Scratch
- First pour water into medium saucepan and bring to a simmer, once simmering, add tea bags or loose leaf tea.
- Next snip your vanilla bean into 1 inch pieces and place with the rest of your ingredients.
FRESH TIP | Since vanilla beans have become so expensive, easily substitute 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste.
- Place all spices and vanilla (including the ginger slices if desired) into the boiling water, give a quick stir.
- Stir in honey.
FRESH TIP | Spray the measuring cup with a little bit of spray oil, your honey will slide right out.
- Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add milk (I use whole milk, but try 2% or plant based as well), give it a stir.
- Return to a boil, then remove from heat. Place fine mesh strainer over a 4-5 cup bowl, place a coffee filter (or layered cheesecloth) inside the sieve.
- Slowly pour the hot chai over the sieve, depending on how fine the mesh is on your sieve, it might take awhile, gently stir the bottom and remove the large pieces and discard.
If you get impatient (as I did), gently pull back the coffee filter and allow the mixture to go through the sieve, gently rocking it back and forth.
Refrigerate any unused portion until ready to use, lasts up to 7 days refrigerated.
When ready, pour out desired amount and warm on stovetop or my favorite way is to place in a frother and heat until silky smooth, with a lovely head of frothed milk.
How to make an ICED CHAI TEA LATTE
Simply pour over a tall glass of ice!
How do you make chai tea latte without a machine
- So simple, you do not need a frother, or any special machinary to make a homemade chai latte.
- If you really want it frothy, pour the desired amount in a blender (<–my favorite small batch blender!) and blend for a few seconds.
- Be careful when removing the lid if the mixture is hot as it will “SPIT” at you a bit.
Are Chai Tea Lattes Good for you?
Yes here are a few of the benefits of Chai Tea!
- May improve heart health
- Could reduce blood sugar levels
- May reduce nausea and improve digestion
- Could help prevent weight gain (Source)
Serve with one of my favorite cookies or quickbreads!
You might also enjoy this calming, soothing, sleep inducing Golden Milk Spice Mix, so delicious!
What do you like to drink on a chilly day? Please comment below!
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Darjeeling Blend tea bags
- 2 cups water
- 4-1½ inch slices fresh ginger using a vegetable peeler this is optional, will be a sharper bite.
- 1-2 inch cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- ½ teaspoon powdered cardamom
- 1-6 inch vanilla bean cut into 1 inch pieces (or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste)
- Dash of nutmeg
- 1 heaping tablespoon sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
- Bring two cups water to a gentle boil, toss in tea bags. Pour all of the spices, ginger, vanilla bean and sugar into a bowl and toss into boiling mixture.
- Reduce heat and simmer about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add milk and return to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Placing a coffee filter or layered cheesecloth in a fine mesh sieve, slowly pour the hot chai over the filter, straining out all of the debris. It takes a bit with the filter, using a spoon you may have to gently move the spices to the side to allow the chai to strain.
- Serve immediately in a mug, or cold over ice.
- To rewarm, place in frother to heat and froth or warm on stovetop. Refrigerate any leftovers.
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
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
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!
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!
Possibly my most favorite drink. I was made for Chai and Chai was made for me.