Create your own Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte recipe at home with just a few simple ingredients! Learn how to make it three easy ways and start saving money today.
Why I Always Keep Chai Concentrate in My Fridge
I’ve been making my own iced chai tea lattes at home for years now, using my Chai Concentrate recipe. My husband’s my official taste tester on this one, and he’s picky; if the ratio’s off, I hear about it. This iced version is my go-to the second the weather turns warm. The spicy chai and cold milk just work; go classic with whole milk, or more plant-based with oat milk.
Best part, one batch of concentrate covers you both ways. Keep it in the fridge for iced chai all summer, then warm it up on the stove come fall for a hot chai latte. Win-win.
And guess what? If you don’t want to make your own chai concentrate, I’ll show you how to choose the best store-bought chai concentrate OR make a super quick one using chai tea bags.
If you like this chai, you are going to love this Iced Rooibos Tea, or try the iced version of this Dutch Bros Christmas Morning Chai.
What is in a Starbucks Ice Chai Tea Latte?
It’s about $6 for a grande Starbucks chai tea latte, and that grande packs around 42 grams of sugar. Starbucks lists black tea concentrate and milk with cinnamon, clove, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and vanilla. Plus, it has natural flavor and citric acid, and it comes in syrup form, which means sugar.
Make it at home, and you’re looking at closer to 17 grams of sugar and about 75 cents a cup. Same cozy spice, way less sugar and way less cash. Why not make your own homemade concentrate so you can enjoy an iced chai tea latte anytime?
I love making copycat recipes at home, they are so much better and cheaper; my favorites are these Panera Orange Scones, this Dutch Bros Christmas Morning Chai (hot or iced) and these Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Ingredients for Iced Chai Latte
#1 Homemade Chai Concentrate (the best way!)
- Tea – Choose your favorite black tea. I suggest Darjeeling black tea, either loose-leaf or in tea bags. You can use regular or decaf.
- Water – Brew the tea in filtered water.
- Spices – I use ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, grated fresh nutmeg, star anise, and cardamom pods. Whole spices are easily found at grocery stores.
- Vanilla – Use vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.
- Honey – I like using honey; you could use agave, regular sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup or sugar replacements.
- Milk – Cow’s milk or plant-based milk will all work here! Just make sure it’s cold!
# 2 Fast Iced Starbucks Iced Chai Latte
- Chai tea bags | Brew 2 chai tea bags or 2 teaspoons loose-leaf chai tea in boiling water. I like this Rishi brand the best.
- Sweetener | I like honey, but you can use your preferred sweetener, like maple syrup, sugar, or other alternatives.
- Vanilla | Use real vanilla extract.
- Milk | Use whole milk or your favorite milk or non-dairy milk
# 3 Super Fast Starbucks Iced Chai
- Chai tea concentrate: Starbucks used to use Tazo brand concentrate, now they use chai syrup. Use your favorite boxed brand. I like Trader Joe’s Chai, Oregon Chai and Tazo Chai concentrate.
- Milk | I like using whole milk but use your favorite % or alternative milk!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte
Use my homemade chai tea concentrate recipe in the ingredient card below to make the best chai latte ever!
For a quicker glass of your favorite Starbucks iced beverage, skip down the page to discover how to make this with store-bought tea concentrate or tea bags.
Slow Iced Latte Recipe with Chai Concentrate (worth it!)
Make your own chai mixture so you can keep it in the refrigerator and enjoy Iced Chai lattes anytime you want! It might start slow, but once you make your concentrate, it will go super-fast!
Bring water and chai ingredients to a boil, steep tea, then strain out the spices and tea. Cool slightly and stir in honey, then fully cool.
Fresh Tips for Making Chai Concentrate
- Only let the ingredients simmer for five minutes to avoid bitterness.
- If preferred, simmer the spices in a small muslin bag to avoid the straining step.
How to make Starbucks Iced Chai Latte: Tea-bag Concentrate
First, drop the tea bags or loose-leaf tea in an infuser into a heat-proof cup or mug. Pour boiling water over top and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer it sits, the stronger and more bitter it will be.
Then, remove the tea bags and add the sweetener and vanilla. Pour the chai over ice cubes in a 16-ounce glass, followed by your milk of choice.
Pro Tip: Use a 2:1 ratio of chai to milk for a stronger and spicier chai flavor.
How to Finish Making An Iced Chai Tea Latte
No matter which version of concentrate you decide to make, once you have it ready, add ice to a tall glass (about 16 oz for a 12-ounce drink) to make this Starbucks copycat iced chai latte. Next, pour equal parts of the homemade chai concentrate and your creamy milk product.
For a shaken latte, add the ingredients to a shaker or mason jar and shake about 10 times.
You can also add cold foam to your iced chai by frothing your cold milk in a milk frother or hand frother before adding it to the cold chai. Make sure it has a cold froth option.
You need to check out my popular Starbucks Copycat Recipes! Like this Starbucks Passion Tea with refreshing summer flavors and my Peach Green Tea Lemonade, or this creamy Starbucks White Hot Chocolate recipe.
Iced Chia Tea Variations
- Hot Chai Latte: Mix equal parts milk, chai concentrate, freshly brewed chai tea bags, or loose leaf. Try whole milk or non-dairy milk, like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Heat in a frother, on the stovetop, or in the microwave. All that’s left to do is kick back, sip, and enjoy! Be sure to check out my Hot Chai Latte recipe for full details.
- Iced Dirty Chai Latte: Add a shot of espresso or two to the iced or hot chai latte to make a dirty chai latte.
- Chocolate Chai: Make a decadent chocolate chai by adding chocolate syrup to the beverage.
- Skinny Chai Latte: To make a skinny version of this drink, simply replace the honey with a sugar-free honey substitute! Or use Monk fruit sweetener.
- Dairy Free Chai: Simply use your favorite plant-based milk, I enjoy it with oat milk and almond milk.
Common Iced Chai Substitutions
- Increase the ginger for a little more spice in your chai.
- Add black peppercorns for a spicy chai.
- If you use dried ginger instead of fresh, double the amount.
- You can replace the honey with maple syrup, cane sugar, agave, coconut sugar, granulated sugar, or brown sugar.
- Swap out the tea for Earl Grey, Assam, or another favorite black tea or decaf black tea.
- If you prefer a more bitter chai spice, cut the honey or sweetener in half or omit it altogether.
- Try whole milk or plant-based milk like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
Chai Tea Latte Storage Tips
Allow your homemade chai concentrate to cool completely and then store it in an airtight container, like a bottle or mason jar, in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Got chai concentrate you won’t use right away? Freeze the leftover concentrate into ice cube trays and then use them in your next iced chai for a stronger chai flavor. I love these 2 tablespoon silicone trays.
Iced Chai Latte with Vanilla Cold Foam
Want to dress up your homemade chai a little? Add vanilla cold foam. It’s basically an iced vanilla chai latte Starbucks fans love, minus the drive-thru line.
Here’s how I make it:
- Whisk 2 tablespoons heavy cream with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon honey or simple syrup.
- Whisk hard for a minute, or use a milk frother, until it holds soft peaks.
- Make your iced chai latte as usual. Spoon the foam right on top.
Pro Tip: Pour the foam over the back of a spoon so it sits on top instead of sinking straight in.
Iced Chai Latte with Brown Sugar Cold Foam
This one’s my favorite come fall, though I’ll be honest, I make it in July too. Brown sugar cold foam adds a caramel-y sweetness that plays so nicely with the chai spices.
Here’s how:
- Combine 2 tablespoons heavy cream with 1 tablespoon brown sugar syrup (equal parts brown sugar and water, warmed until dissolved).
- Froth or whisk until thick and foamy.
- Pour over your finished iced chai latte and dust with cinnamon.
Pro Tip: Make a double batch of the brown sugar syrup and keep it in the fridge. You’ll use it on more than just chai.
How to Order This at Starbucks
Not in a homemade mood? Here’s what to say at the counter.
Grande iced chai tea latte, whole milk, 2 pumps brown sugar, vanilla sweet cream cold foam on top. (Sub oat milk if that’s your thing; it’s a popular swap.)
Want a dirty chai? Just add a shot of espresso.
Iced Chai Tea Latte FAQs
No. Chai is a black tea that contains less caffeine than coffee. A dirty chai latte uses a shot of espresso.
An iced chai latte has three parts. Chai concentrate, black tea steeped with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Milk. And ice. A sweetener, usually honey or vanilla syrup, ties it all together.
Chai is a delicious, creamy, spicy, and sweet beverage made from a blend of black tea and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg.
Chai originated in the Assam region of India. 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. Chai is also known as masala chai but is commonly called ‘chai tea’ in America. However, it’s a silly way to say it because it translates to ‘tea tea’.
Yes, if you use regular black tea, your iced chai will contain caffeine, but you can control that by choosing your own teas or concentrates. You can even purchase decaf chai latte concentrate if you prefer.
What to serve with Starbucks Copycat Iced Chai Latte
- Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake
- Try my favorite Scottish Shortbread recipe; it’s the best!
- Cinnamon Crunch Scones
Best Starbucks Recipes to Serve with this Iced Chai Latte Recipe
Our favorite Starbucks copycat recipes to serve with an Iced Chai are these Cream Cheese Danish, copycat Coffee Cake, and these Pumpkin Scones.
More Tea Recipes
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Ingredients
Iced Chai Tea Latte Ingredients
- 6 ounces chai concentrate (choose from three methods below)
- 4 – 6 ounces whole milk or use other % or favorite plant-based product, oat milk is a popular choice
- Ice cubes
- ground cinnamon for sprinkling on top
Method 1 – Homemade Chai Concentrate (makes 48 ounces)
- 6 – 8 teaspoons darjeeling tea or 6-8 tea bags, also use Assam or your favorite black tea
- 6 cups filtered water
- 2 – 4 tablespoons ginger ½ – 1 inch slices
- 2 cinnamon sticks broken up
- 4 – 6 whole cloves
- 6 – 7 cardamom pods
- 1 star anise
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon nutmeg fresh grated is best
- ¼ cup honey or your favorite sweetener, use up to ⅓ cup if desired
Method 2 – Fast Starbucks Iced Chai
- 2 chai tea bags or 2 teaspoon loose leaf chai tea
- ½ cup boiling water just boiled, don’t overboil
- 1-2 teaspoon honey or preferred sweetener, maple syrup, sugar or replacements work
- ¼ teaspoon real vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk or preferred milk product
Method 3 – Super Fast Starbucks Iced Chai
- ½ cup Chai Concentrate Such as Tazo or Oregon Chai concentrate or your favorite
- ½ cup Whole Milk or other % milk or non-dairy milk product, oat milk is a popular choice
Instructions
Method 1 – Homemade Chai Concentrate
- Head on over to my full post on how to make your own homemade chai concentrate, then pop back here to finish things up! (see notes for link)Ice cubes
- Once you have your chai concentrate made and cooled, then add ice to a tall glass (16 oz). Pour equal parts of chai concentrate and milk of choice over the ice. If a spicier chai is desired, use more of a 2:1 ratio.½ cup Whole Milk, ground cinnamon
Method 2 – Using tea bags (Fast)
- 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.2 chai tea bags, ½ cup boiling water
- Remove tea bags and stir in honey (or desired sweetener) and vanilla extract.1-2 teaspoon honey, ¼ teaspoon real vanilla extract
- Pour over 16-ounce glass filled with ice, then pour milk over the top, if desired shake to froth (a mason jar works great for this if you prefer)
- If you prefer more of a shaken latte, place chai, milk, and ice in a shaker, and shake vigorously 10 or so times. Or if you have a cold frother, froth milk of choice, then add to the cold chai.6 ounces chai concentrate, ½ cup whole milk
Method 3 – Super Fast Starbucks Iced Chai Latte
- In a tall glass add ice, then pour over ½ cup chai concentrate and ½ cup your milk of choice.½ cup Chai Concentrate, 4 – 6 ounces whole milk
Notes
Whisk 2 tablespoons heavy cream with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon honey or simple syrup. Whisk hard for a minute, or use a milk frother, until it holds soft peaks. Spoon over your finished iced chai. Brown Sugar Cold Foam
Combine 2 tablespoons heavy cream with 1 tablespoon brown sugar syrup (equal parts brown sugar and water, warmed until dissolved). Froth or whisk until thick and foamy. Pour over your finished iced chai and dust with cinnamon. Nutrition Note: The nutrition information below is calculated for the homemade chai concentrate (based on ¼ cup honey) and whole milk only. If you add vanilla or brown sugar cold foam, run those ingredients through a nutrition calculator separately to get an accurate count for your version.
Nutrition
Robin
I made the “Homemade Chai Concentrate” on this recipe, it was sooo easy!! Made my house smell wonderful!! Came together just like you said and I used for a hot chai latte this morning. Looking forward to using it for the iced chai when it warms up!! Thanks Kathleen!!
So glad you loved it Robin! It’s so versatile!
suja md
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so much good!
So glad you loved it!
Ashley
My MIL is the biggest chai tea fan and I cannot wait to share this fantastic recipe with her. Love that you’ve included 3 different methods for prepping the base 🙂
YAY! Love that you are making for her! And life is about options right?!?
paula
This iced chai tea latte sure hit the spot on this 100 degree day today
Ugh, stay cool!! It’s a great way to cool off!
Beth
I LOVE being able to have one of my favorite Starbucks drinks without the ridiculous price tag. This is fantastic!
Me too Beth!! And enjoy more often too!