Homemade Chai Concentrate From Tea Bags
This homemade Chai Concentrate (from Tea Bags) is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious chai latte at home. With a blend of warm spices from the tea bags, and just the right amount of sweetness, it’s easy to make and can be customized with your favorite milk or sweetener. Enjoy the comfort of a perfect chai latte anytime you like.
I’ve loved experimenting with this homemade chai concentrate recipe. It’s become a staple in my kitchen, especially on chilly mornings or when I need a soothing drink to unwind. I made it as simple as possible, sticking to just 3 ingredients: chai tea bags, sugar, and vanilla extract. The blend of spices and the flexibility to adjust the sweetness makes it a hit every time. Plus, it’s just as refreshing served cold on warm days!
Why you will love brewing this tea
- Convenience: Prep it once and enjoy many cups of chai.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness and spice to fit your taste.
- Versatile: Perfect for both hot and iced chai lattes.
- Cost-effective: Cheaper than coffee shop chai lattes.
- Aromatic: Fills your home with the inviting scent of spices.
Key ingredients and substitutions
- Chai Tea Bags: The foundation of your concentrate, providing that distinct chai flavor. If you prefer, you can use loose-leaf chai tea in a tea infuser for a more potent flavor. Decaf chai also works here if you prefer.
- Water: Needed to steep the tea bags and extract the full flavor.
- Sugar or Sweetener of Choice: Customize the sweetness to your liking. Honey, maple syrup, swerve, brown sugar, or coconut sugar are great alternatives for a different flavor profile.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle depth and warmth to the concentrate. Feel free to omit it if you have none available.
How to make chai concentrate from tea bags
- Boil the Water: Start by bringing cold water to a boil in a kettle or on the stove.
- Steep the Tea: Pour the boiling water over the chai tea bags in a medium pot, allowing them to simmer for about 15-20 minutes to fully release the flavors.
- Add Sweetness: In the last minute or two of simmering, stir in your chosen sweetener until completely dissolved.
- Add Vanilla and Cool Down: Turn off the heat and add the vanilla extract. Let the concentrate cool to room temperature, which will help it settle and further meld the flavors.
- Remove Bags: Remove the tea bags from the concentrate once it’s cool, and discard them.
- Store Properly: Transfer the chai syrup to a bottle or jar and keep it refrigerated.
- Serve: To enjoy, mix 3-4 tablespoons of the homemade concentrate with milk of your choice or water, hot or cold over ice cubes, adjusting the ratio to your preference.
Recipe notes and tips
- Black Tea Bags: Try my Copycat Tazo Chai Concentrate for a version that uses spices and black tea bags. It is the BEST chai concentrate!
- Intensity of Flavors: For a stronger chai flavor, allow the tea bags to simmer longer than 20 minutes.
- Spice It Up: Adding whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, fresh ginger, and cloves during the steeping process can elevate the aromatic qualities of your chai concentrate. See my Tazo Chai Concentrate Recipe for suggested amounts.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sweetener based on your preference. Start with less and add more as needed after tasting.
Variations
- Dirty Chai Latte: Add a shot of espresso to your chai latte for a delightful boost of caffeine and a rich coffee flavor.
- Spiced Iced Chai: For a refreshing summer drink, pour the chai concentrate over ice and top with cold milk.
- Vegan Chai Latte: Use almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk instead of dairy milk to make a vegan-friendly version.
- Chai Spice Mix: Boost the spice level by adding extra ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of black pepper to the concentrate.
- Sweetener Swaps: Experiment with different sweeteners like honey, agave syrup, or stevia for a unique twist on the traditional flavor.
Storage instructions
- Refrigerate: Always store your homemade chai concentrate in the refrigerator. This keeps it fresh and preserves the flavors.
- Airtight Container: Use a mason jar, glass bottle, or any airtight container to store the chai concentrate.
- Shelf Life: Properly stored, chai concentrate can last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
- Freezing Options: For longer storage, freeze the concentrate in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag for easy portioning and thaw as needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make chai concentrate without sugar?
Yes, you can make chai latte concentrate without adding sugar. Just skip it entirely, or use a sugar alternative like liquid stevia if you prefer a bit of sweetness.
Can I use loose leaf tea instead of chai tea bags?
Absolutely! Loose leaf tea can be used in place of chai tea bags. You’ll need about a teaspoon of loose leaf tea for each tea bag the recipe calls for.
More recipes you will love
- Starbucks Iced Chai Latte Recipe
- Homemade Chai Tea Latte
- Butterfly Pea Flower Milk Tea
- Ginger Mint Tea
- Ground Ginger Powder Tea
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Chai Tea Concentrate From Tea Bags Recipe
This homemade Chai Concentrate (from Tea Bags) is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious chai latte at home. With a blend of black tea, warm spices, and just the right amount of sweetness, it’s easy to make and can be customized with your favorite milk or sweetener. Enjoy the comfort of a perfect chai latte anytime you like.
Ingredients
- 500 ml water
- 7 teabags chai tea or 7 tsp loose chai tea in a reusable infuser
- 67 g sweetener of choice 1/3 cup; sugar, honey, maple syrup, allulose, etc.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Begin by boiling the water in an electric kettle or in a pot on the stove. If you use a kettle, pour it into a pot on the stove when it's ready.500 ml water
- Add the chai tea, and bring it to a simmer.7 teabags chai tea
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the volume has reduced by about half.
- In the last couple of minutes of simmering, add the sweetener and vanilla extract, and stir well.67 g sweetener of choice
- Turn off the heat, mix in the vanilla extract, and allow it to cool to room temperature.1 tsp vanilla extract
- Scoop out tea bags with a slotted spoon and then store the concentrate in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- To make a cuppa chai: add 3-4 tablespoons of chai concentrate to a cup or mug and mix it with hot or cold water or milk. Add ice cubes for an iced version. Enjoy!
Notes
- Black Tea Bags: Try my Copycat Tazo Chai Concentrate for a version that uses spices and black tea bags. It is the BEST chai concentrate!
- Intensity of Flavors: For a stronger chai flavor, allow the tea bags to simmer longer than 20 minutes.
- Spice It Up: Adding whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, fresh ginger, and cloves during the steeping process can elevate the aromatic qualities of your chai concentrate. See my Tazo Chai Concentrate Recipe for suggested amounts.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sweetener based on your preference. Start with less and add more as needed after tasting.
Storage instructions
- Refrigerate: Always store your homemade chai concentrate in the refrigerator. This keeps it fresh and preserves the flavors.
- Airtight Container: Use a mason jar, glass bottle, or any airtight container to store the chai concentrate.
- Shelf Life: Properly stored, chai concentrate can last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
- Freezing Options: For longer storage, freeze the concentrate in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag for easy portioning and thaw as needed.
Nutrition
Serving: 3tablespoonsCalories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 11gFat: 0.03gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 2mgSugar: 11gCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.01mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!