Chai Latte

Name: Chai Latte Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 black tea bags; 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 star anise; 10 cardamom pods or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom; 10 cloves or 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 pinch ground nutmeg; 1 slice fresh ginger or 1 pinch ground ginger; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 100 ml (1/3 cup) water; 400 ml (1 1/3 cups) milk or plant-based milk

May 10, 2026May 10, 2026

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Chai latte is a warm and cozy drink made with black tea, milk, vanilla, and chai spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.

This homemade chai tea latte is creamy, lightly sweet, and easy to make with simple ingredients you can keep in your pantry.

I like making this vanilla chai latte when I want something warm and comforting, with the taste of black tea and spices but softer than a regular cup of tea.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Warm & cozy – A comforting spiced drink for slow mornings or cold afternoons.
Easy to make – Simple tea bags, milk, spices, vanilla, and a little sweetener.
Better homemade – You can adjust the sweetness, milk, and spice level to your taste.

Ingredients you need

You only need simple pantry ingredients to make this homemade chai latte.

Black tea: Use black tea bags or loose black tea for a strong chai flavor.
Chai spices: Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and a little black pepper make the warm spice blend.
Milk: Use whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.
Sweetener: Brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey all work well.
Vanilla: A little vanilla extract gives the latte a softer flavor.
Water: Used to steep the tea and spices before adding the milk.

Tips for this recipe

These small tips help make your chai tea latte creamy and full of flavor.

Use strong black tea: It gives the chai latte a richer taste.
Steep long enough: Let the tea and spices infuse for a few minutes for more flavor.
Adjust the sweetness: Add more or less sugar depending on your taste.
Choose creamy milk: Whole milk or oat milk gives the best texture.
Froth the milk: It makes the latte smoother and more cozy.

How to make a chai latte

Add the water, black tea, chai spices, brown sugar, and vanilla to a small saucepan.

Simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes to let the tea and spices infuse.

Strain the chai concentrate through a fine mesh strainer into a mug or container.

Heat the milk in a saucepan or with a milk frother until warm and creamy.

Pour the warm milk into the chai tea mixture and stir gently.

Serve warm with a little cinnamon on top if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this chai latte warm for breakfast, in the afternoon, or with homemade snacks like muffins, banana bread, or cookies.

Storage

Store the chai concentrate in the fridge for up to 5 days and add warm milk before serving.

Recipe Variations

Iced chai latte: Serve the chai concentrate over ice with cold milk.
Dirty chai latte: Add a shot of espresso for a coffee version.
Vanilla chai latte: Add extra vanilla extract for a sweeter flavor.
Pumpkin chai latte: Add a spoonful of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice.

Recipe Questions

Does chai latte contain caffeine?

Yes, chai latte contains caffeine from the black tea.

What milk works best for chai latte?

Whole milk and oat milk make the creamiest chai latte.

Can I make chai latte dairy-free?

Yes, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk work well.

Can I make chai latte ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the chai concentrate ahead and store it in the fridge.