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This homemade chai latte is the perfect mug of freshly brewed black tea, warming spices, a hint of sweetness, and extra frothy milk. Aka, one of the best things to sip on during a cold, crisp day.

What Is Chai Exactly?

While we commonly know chai as a “flavor” of tea, it actually translates to the word “tea” in Hindi. The idea of a milky tea is common in the United Kingdom, and after the British colonization of India, it wasn’t too long before Indians made their own version of a sweet and milky black tea, with the addition of spices. And that my friends is where Masala Chai (or this chai latte) was born!

What’s In This Easy Chai Latte Recipe?

Similar to my chai spiced coconut milk, this creamy black tea is infused with the best warming spices. But the best part is that it’s quite customizable. Want it spicier? Add a bit more ginger. Looking for a more tea-like flavor? Add in an extra tea bag! However you tweak it, keep comfort and peacefulness in mind – because that’s what a chai latte is all about.

• Milk: For a milkier base (that’s also good for frothing), use whole milk or creamier non-dairy milks such as oat milk or cashew milk. But, any non-dairy milk will work as well.
• Black Tea: To keep this recipe easy, I’m using black tea bags. But keep reading for more tips on what type of black tea, and even loose-leaf teas, you can use.
• Ground Spices: A blend of ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamom does the trick for spiced chai. But you can certainly bump up the spices and add ground nutmeg, vanilla bean, fresh ginger, and star anises.
• Sweetener: I love to use maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. But you can go with any others such as honey, agave, or even coconut sugar.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How To Make A Chai Latte

I love to start my mornings with a breath of fresh air and a warming mug of chai latte.

• Heat the milk and steep the tea. Let the milk warm up in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it simmers, turn it off and add in the tea bags for 4 to 5 minutes. Then remove the tea bags.
• Add the spices. Turn the heat back to medium heat, and add the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, vanilla, and maple syrup. Whisk it all together until it’s perfectly hot.
• Top the mugs off! You can drink the chai latte as is, or top it off with extra froth and a dash of cinnamon.

A Few Questions Answered

Should you use ground or whole spices?

Traditionally, whole spices are simmered in the pot. But I’m keeping this recipe simple with ground spices for those who don’t have direct access to the latter. Fret not though, because the results are still a deliciously spice latte!

How do I make a dirty chai latte?

As you let the black tea simmer with the milk in the pot, brew 2 shots of espresso. Then pour one shot into each mug. Once you’ve finished making the chai latte, pour it over the espresso shots and give it a stir before drinking.

How do I make an iced chai latte?

If it’s a warm day and you’d like a refreshing iced chai, all you need to do is prep two cups with ice cubes. After you’ve made the recipe as is, just pour the chai latte over the ice and give it a stir.

Make A Batch Of Chai Latte For Later!

If you’re just one person, save the 2nd half to enjoy later! Store any leftover chai latte in a sealed cup in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, you can pop it in the microwave or warm it up on the stovetop.

Easy Chai Latte Recipe Video

While it’s super easy to make this recipe, it always helps to watch a quick video. Give it a watch below!

More Cozy Drinks to Bundle Up With

Nothing’s better than snuggling up with a warm beverage in your favorite mug. From lattes to nourishing teas – these are great options to keep in rotation.

With this easy recipe, there’s no need for a Starbucks chai latte. So give this homemade chai latte a try and let me know what you think in a comment below!

Easy Chai Latte

Let’s just say, this chai latte is the perfect mug of fresh brewed black tea, warming spices, a hint of sweetness, and extra frothy milk.

• Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it begins to simmer, turn off the heat and add the tea bags (I snip any labels off the tea bags so they can fully immerse). Let the tea steep for 4 to 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags with a slotted spoon.

• Turn the heat back up to medium heat, and add the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, vanilla, and maple syrup. Whisk everything together, until the chai tea is hot.

• Pour the tea into mugs and if you’d like, top with extra milk foam and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

• Substitutions: if you don’t have ground cloves and cardamom you can swap in allspice for both of them.
• Black Tea: You can use many varieties of black tea, from Darjeeling to English breakfast tea, as well as caffeinated or decaffeinated.
• Sediment: Because this recipe uses ground spices, you’ll get more sediment in the bottom of your mug. If you’d like to reduce that, you can strain the chai latte through a fine mesh sieve as you’re pouring it into a mug. 

Calories: 115kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 490mg, Potassium: 61mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 485mg, Iron: 1mg

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