Chai Latte
A Chai Latte is a spiced tea made with black tea, aromatic spices, and steamed milk, creating a creamy, flavorful drink often sweetened with sugar or honey.
Ingredients
- 1-2 teaspoon Chai Tea
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1-2 teaspoon Sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Cardamom
- 2-3 Cloves
- Ginger
Instructions
Making the Chai Concentrate:
- First, grab a pot and add water, tea leaves (such as Assam or Darjeeling), and a mix of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Then, simmer gently for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to fully develop. It’ll smell amazing! If you prefer a stronger flavor, simply simmer it longer.
Steaming the Milk:
- Now, heat your milk 🥛! You can use a milk frother, stovetop, or microwave. If using a frother, just pour your milk in and froth until it’s bubbly and creamy. If on the stove, heat it gently, but don’t let it boil! The key is frothiness!
Combining Chai & Milk:
- Once your chai concentrate is ready, pour it into your favorite mug. Next, slowly add your frothy milk. Then, stir well to ensure the flavors blend perfectly. You’ll notice the swirls of creamy goodness!
Serving:
- Finish it off with a sprinkle of cinnamon, a cinnamon stick, or a little drizzle of honey for extra sweetness. You can even top it with whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy! All in all, you’ve got a cozy, yummy chai latte!
Notes
Flavor Variations
-
- Iced Chai Latte: When the weather heats up, an iced chai latte is the perfect refresher. Brew your chai concentrate, cool it, and pour it over ice with your preferred milk. It’s cool, spiced, and totally satisfying. For a stronger flavor, brew your chai a bit stronger to avoid dilution.
-
- Dirty Chai Latte: A dirty chai latte combines the best of both worlds—chai spices and espresso. Simply add a shot of espresso to your chai latte for an extra caffeine boost and a richer flavor. It’s perfect for those days when you need more energy. I remember having my first one at a café in India—instant love!
-
- Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte: Celebrate fall with a pumpkin spice chai latte! By adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spices, you get a cozy, autumn twist. Additionally, sweeten it with maple syrup for that perfect fall flavor. In short, it’s like drinking autumn in a cup!
-
- Chocolate Chai Latte: For a more indulgent treat, simply add cocoa powder or melt dark chocolate into your chai latte. Consequently, it becomes a warm, creamy, and chocolatey delight—perfect for a chilly day.
-
- Vegan Chai Latte: To make it vegan, simply swap dairy milk for oat or almond milk, and use maple syrup for sweetness. As a result, you get a creamy, flavorful chai latte without the dairy!
Tips for Perfect Chai Latte
1. Using Pre-made Chai Spice Mix: If you're in a hurry, a chai masala powder works wonders! However, fresh spices like cardamom and cloves bring out richer flavors. Trust me, the difference is noticeable when you go from scratch! 2. Adjusting Spice Levels : To suit your taste, you can add more cinnamon or ginger for a spicier kick or tone it down if you prefer a milder flavor. For example, I once added a little extra ginger to mine, and it was refreshingly bold! 3. Balancing Sweetness: Achieving the right balance between sweeteners like honey or maple syrup and spices is key. Too much sugar can overpower the chai, but just enough will bring out the warmth of the spices. A tip? Taste as you go—a little sweetness can go a long way! 4. Achieving the Right Texture: The frothiness is key to that classic chai latte experience. For instance, you can use a milk frother for a creamy foam. Alternatively, heat the milk and whisk vigorously to achieve the same effect. In my experience, stovetop steaming works best for a smooth, velvety texture.Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Chai Latte
Amount per Serving
Calories
150
% Daily Value*
Fat
7
g
11
%
Saturated Fat
3
g
19
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
2
g
Cholesterol
20
mg
7
%
Sodium
50
mg
2
%
Potassium
300
mg
9
%
Carbohydrates
25
g
8
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
15
g
17
%
Protein
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
100
IU
2
%
Vitamin B1
0.05
mg
3
%
Vitamin B2
0.2
mg
12
%
Vitamin B3
0.2
mg
1
%
Vitamin B5
0.3
mg
3
%
Vitamin B6
0.1
mg
5
%
Vitamin B12
0.5
µg
8
%
Vitamin C
5
mg
6
%
Vitamin D
50
µg
333
%
Vitamin E
0.5
mg
3
%
Vitamin K
2
µg
2
%
Calcium
300
mg
30
%
Iron
0.5
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!