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!
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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Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe
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Print Pin Save RateEquipment
- Coffee Mug, Coffee Glass, Set of 4 (12oz, 350ml)
- Capresso Automatic Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker
- 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 inches fresh ginger 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
Instructions
- 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 tsp
- Bring two 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.
- 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.
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.
Video
Notes
- 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’
Katie
Chai is not an American cuisine. It is from India.
Kathleen Pope
Thank you Katie.
Jean
I’m having trouble finding cardamom, can it be left out? If not what’s a good replacement for it?
Kathleen
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?
Kathleen
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!
Kathleen
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
Kathleen
Sounds fabulous!
Lynn Spencer
Possibly my most favorite drink. I was made for Chai and Chai was made for me.