There is nothing cozier than a steaming chai latte in a mug! With honey, warm spices, and milk, this winter favorite is easy to make at home.
A chai latte is basically the Americanized version of traditional Indian masala chai, which combines black tea with warm milk and spices. They are one of my favorites when the weather gets chilly out (along with this green tea latte!), but a lot of coffee shops use a premade syrup or mix to make them and it feels silly spending so much money on something that’s not even made from scratch. Now that I’ve cracked the code for making them at home, I can enjoy them anytime I want!
Why You’ll Love This Chai Latte Recipe
- As sweet as you want it to be. Most coffeehouse chai lattes go heavy on the sugar, but with this homemade recipe, you can control the sweetness to your liking.
- Budget-friendly. The ingredients for making homemade chai lattes are simple and affordable. You will save so much money making them yourself!
- The coziest winter beverage. Between the creaminess, the earthy black tea, and those warming spices, this chai latte is THE drink for chilly days.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Honey – Or use maple syrup for a vegan chai latte.
- Spices – Ground cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom.
- Boiling water
- Chai tea bags – While there are spices in the chai tea bags, I've found that they aren't very strong, which is why I add more.
- Milk – Whole milk will give you the richest latte, but a creamy plant milk like soy or oat works well too.
How to Make a Chai Latte
- Make the chai latte concentrate. Whisk the honey, spices, and boiling water in a heat-proof jar or liquid measuring cup. Once the honey is dissolved, add the tea bags and steep for 15 minutes.
- Store for later. Let the concentrate cool, then refrigerate.
- Make a latte. Warm the milk on the stove until simmering; you’ll need 1:1 ratio of milk to concentrate. Pour the milk into mugs, top with the concentrate, and enjoy.
Tips for Success
- Use a milk frother. This is the little trick that will take your homemade chai latte to the next level. It creates that creamy, frothy texture that makes a latte truly feel like a coffeehouse treat.
- Adjust sweetness and spice levels. This recipe is highly customizable and you can adjust the amount of honey and spices according to your taste preferences, and also use more or less of the concentrate to adjust the sweetness of the individual lattes.
- Stir before using. The spices will settle during storage, so give the concentrate a good stir before you use it.
Variations
- Make a dirty chai latte concentrate. Swap coffee for the boiling water or add a few shots of espresso.
- Add whipped cream. I love this coconut whipped cream to add some decadence.
- Make it iced. Pouring the concentrate over ice and top it with cold milk instead of warm.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover chai latte concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. I recommend warming it in the microwave before making a latte so it doesn’t bring down the temperature of the milk.
You can also freeze your chai latte concentrate for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before using it.
More Cozy Drink Recipes
Chai Latte
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 chai tea bags
- 2 cups milk of choice
Instructions
- Begin by making your chai latte concentrate. Add the honey and spices to a heat-proof jar or measuring cup. Add the boiling water and whisk until the honey is dissolved. Add the chai tea bags and steep for at least 15 minutes.
- If not ready to enjoy immediately, allow the concentrate to cool completely then store in the fridge for 2 – 3 days.
- If using immediately, warm the milk on the stove until simmering. If you have a milk frother (which I recommend!!), froth 1 cup of milk at a time. Divide the milk evenly between two mugs, then top with 1 cup of concentrate. Stir and enjoy!
Nutrition
