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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, Golden Milk Turmeric Tea or this variation called a Christmas Morning Chai!

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!

Pin for Chai Tea Latte with image of glass mug filled with chai latte with spices sprinkled around and a cinnamon stick on top

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!!

Pouring hot chai tea latte with ingredients in background | thefreshcooky.com

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)

Ingredient image for Chai Tea Latte, L-R Cardamom, Nutmeg, Darjeeling Tea, Ra Honey, Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon Stick, Cloves, Ginger

Homemade Chai Latte Ingredients

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

  1. First pour water into medium saucepan and bring to a simmer, once simmering, add tea bags or loose leaf tea.
Hand adding tea bags to simmering water on stove for Chai Tea Latte
  1. 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.

snipping vanilla bean for chai latte | www.thefreshcooky.com
  1. Place all spices and vanilla (including the ginger slices if desired) into the boiling water, give a quick stir.
pouring spices into hot water with tea bags for chai latte | www.thefreshcooky.com
  1. Stir in honey.

FRESH TIP | Spray the measuring cup with a little bit of spray oil, your honey will slide right out.

pouring in honey for chai latte | www.thefreshcooky.com
  1. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add milk (I use whole milk, but try 2% or plant based as well), give it a stir.
adding milk for chai latte | www.thefreshcooky.com
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
Pour through strainer | www.thefreshcooky.com

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.

filtering through sieve on counter chai latte | www.thefreshcooky.com

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!

Ingredients for Chai Tea Latte and mug of latte with tea bag, cinnamon stick, cloves and cardamom strewn on the table www.thefreshcooky.com

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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 Pinterest Pin for Simple Homemade Recipe for Chai Latte from thefreshcooky.com  showing frother pouring Chai Latte into a glass mug

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Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and comment below the recipe!

Chai latte in glass mug with cinnamon and vanilla.

Homemade Chai Tea Latte

Author: Kathleen Pope
4.54 from 13 votes
Using everyday ingredients, save money by creating your own all natural Chai Tea Latte, superior to a fancy coffee shop.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 143 kcal

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.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup Calories: 143 kcal Carbohydrates: 28 g Protein: 4 g Fat: 2 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 10 mg Sodium: 70 mg Sugar: 21 g

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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11 Comments

    1. 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