Chai Latte Recipe
Whether you're wrapping up in a blanket on a chilly morning or need a relaxing drink after a long day, this chai latte recipe will become your new go-to. It's simple, satisfying, and just a little indulgent with its rich, creamy texture and a hint of maple sweetness. Use pre-made chai concentrate from the store, or make your own homemade chai concentrate with my recipe.
Ingredients
Chai Latte
- 3-4 tablespoons chai concentrate
- 250 ml milk of choice just over 1 cup, or a little less than a mugful
- maple syrup to taste (optional)
Chai Concentrate (optional)
- 5 bags of black tea (regular or decaf) or 5 tsp loose black tea in a reusable infuser
- 500 ml water
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 10 whole cloves
- 10 green cardamom pods crushed
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 3 inches fresh ginger root sliced
- 67 g sweetener of choice 1/3 cup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
To make chai concentrate (optional)
- Begin by dry roasting the whole spices (cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, cardamom, black peppercorns) in a pan over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, until fragrant.3 cinnamon sticks, 3 star anise, 10 whole cloves, 10 green cardamom pods, 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- In a medium sized pot, add water and tea, and bring them to a simmer.5 bags of black tea (regular or decaf), 500 ml water
- Add the roasted spices and sliced fresh ginger.3 inches fresh ginger root
- 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 stir well.67 g sweetener of choice
- Turn off the heat and scoop out the spices and tea bags with a slotted spoon.
- Mix in vanilla extract and allow the chai tea concentrate to cool down to room temperature before storing in an airtight container.1 tsp vanilla extract
To make a chai latte
- Heat your milk in a pot on the stove or in the microwave for a couple of minutes in a measuring jug. It should be hot but not boiling.250 ml milk of choice
- Froth your hot milk with a hand-held milk frother or steaming wand if desired.
- Add 3-4 tablespoons of chai concentrate to your mug and top it up with the warm, frothy milk.3-4 tablespoons chai concentrate
- Taste and adjust the sweetness and flavor with maple syrup or more chai concentrate, and enjoy!maple syrup
Notes
- Make it decaf by adding decaf black tea instead of caffeinated. Perfect for a night-time chai!
- Spices: For the best flavor, use fresh, whole spices. They have more oils and essence than pre-ground versions, giving your chai that authentic kick.
- Spice-Level Customization: Not everyone likes their chai super spicy. Reduce or increase the amount of peppercorns and ginger to adjust the heat.
- Milk: If you prefer a frothier latte, full-fat milk works wonders. For a lighter version, skim or plant-based milks like almond or oat are excellent.
- Sweeten: Adjust the sweetness of your latte by adding sweetener gradually. You can also experiment with different sweeteners like honey, agave, or liquid stevia.
Storage instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftover chai concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Leftover chai latte will keep in the fridge for 2 days.
- Freeze: Pour the concentrate into an ice cube tray and freeze. Pop out a cube or two and thaw for a quick chai latte anytime.
- Reheat: When ready to enjoy again, gently reheat the chai concentrate or chai latte on the stove or in the microwave—just avoid boiling to preserve the flavors.
Nutrition
Serving: 3tablespoonsCalories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.002gSodium: 126mgPotassium: 204mgFiber: 4gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 536IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 411mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!