Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Recipe

BySam Ecclestone

The chai tea lattes I adore are the very essence of warmth and comfort. When the weather turns cold, and the days shorten, nothing lifts the spirits like a cup in hand and the delightful aroma wafting up with each sip.

Homemade, they are as customizable as any beverage, and I like to take mine in an eastern, spiced direction. Rather than using just one type of tea, I use two: English Breakfast and Earl Grey, steeped to yield a robust flavor.

The $0.50 worth of loose spices that get ground up as a powder to “dust” the inside of the brewing vessel add a sensation of undiluted warmth. To achieve creaminess, I use 1 1/2 cups of some kind of milk, be it dairy or a non-dairy alternative, which tends to be a good source of calcium and vitamin D; my family and I drink a variety of them.

For sweetening, I use a natural source, 2 tablespoons of honey, which adds a lovely natural sweetness and also provides some powerful antioxidants. I also use a 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, which rounds out the flavor better than any artificial product can.

Finally, I think this version of the drink is health-conscious compared to what you could get in a coffee shop.

Ingredients photo for Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients photo for Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Recipe

Black Tea Bags:
High in antioxidants; delivers a strong foundational flavor.

Ground Cinnamon:
Sweetly spiced warmth; helps in blood sugar balance.

Ground Cardamom:
Spice that is aromatic; contributes a sweet, floral accent.

Ground Ginger:
Spicy, warming component; recognized for possessing anti-inflammatory characteristics.

Ground Cloves:
Spicy intensity; gives a deep, warm taste.

Milk:
Richness and creaminess; a supply of calcium and protein.

Honey or Sweetener:
Presents sweetness; can uncooked yield health bonuses.

Vanilla Extract:
Sleek, sugary scent; escalates flavor intricacy.

Ingredient Quantities

  • 2 cups of water

  • 2 black tea bags

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1 1/2 cups of milk (dairy or non-dairy)

  • 2 tablespoons of honey or sweetener of choice

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a 2-cup saucepan, heat medium until the water is boiling.

2. Add the 2 black tea bags to the boiling water, and allow them to steep for approximately 5 minutes.

3. As the tea bags steep, combine the ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves in the saucepan. Stir to mix well.

4. Take the tea bags out of the saucepan once they have steeped.

5. Combine the milk with the spiced tea mixture. Use 1 1/2 cups of milk.

6. Mix well in the saucepan the 2 tablespoons of honey or sweetener of your choice.

7. Warm the mixture over medium heat until it is heated through; do not let it come to a boil.

8. Take the saucepan off the heat; then, stir the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the mixture.

9. Blend the mixture using a whisk or frother until it is a bit frothy.

10. Versez le Chai Tea Latte dans des tasses et savourez-le tiède. Il peut, à l’envi, être agrémenté d’une pointe de cannelle pour rehausser ce breuvage vraiment délicieux, mais son goût simple et pur n’en exige pas.

Equipment Needed

1. 2-cup saucepan
2. Measuring cups
3. Measuring spoons
4. Stirring spoon
5. Whisk or frother
6. Cups for serving

FAQ

  • Can I use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags? Yes, you can use loose leaf black tea. Use about 1 tablespoon of loose leaf tea per cup.

  • Is it possible to make this recipe caffeine-free?You can indeed make a caffeine-free chai latte by using decaffeinated black tea bags.

  • What non-dairy milk options work well in this recipe?You can use in this chai latte popular non-dairy choices like almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk.

  • Can I adjust the spice levels to taste?Certainly! Feel free to adjust the spices up or down to suit your taste.

  • How should I store leftover chai concentrate?The concentrate for chai tea can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week if it is stored in an airtight container.

  • Can I make this chai latte iced?Certainly! Just allow the tea concentrate to cool. Then serve it over ice with cold milk.

Substitutions and Variations

Tea bags black: for a slightly different flavor profile, misuse Darjeeling or Assam tea bags.
Cinnamon, ground: For a warm, nutty flavor, use the same amount of ground nutmeg as you would ground cinnamon.
Cardamom, ground: Substitute a similar aromatic spice, allspice, in a pinch.
Cloves, when ground, are potent little spices. And while a pinch of ground anise offers a different sort of spice note and makes for a fine substitute, I wouldn’t recommend using it in equal measure. Ground anise isn’t nearly as intense or as warm as ground cloves.
Milk: Almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk can be used in place of milk to prepare a vegan latte.