How to make a better chai latte (2024)

How to make a better chai latte (1)

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How to make ​a better chai latte than ​your local barista​

The best chai latte isn't found in any cafe. It's the chai latte that you've lovingly prepared in the comfort of your kitchen, with just the right amount of sweetness, spice, and warmth to satisfy your chai craving. If you've never tried to make a chai latte, or you want to learn how to make a chai latte, this article is for you. Read on to learn what chai is and all the different ways it can brighten up your day.​

What is a chai latte (and what's in it)

A chai latte is a mixture of black tea, spice, sweetener, and hot milk. ​

The particular blend of spices you get will depend on the blend of chai tea used to make your latte. That's because the word 'chai' comes from the Hindustani word for all types of tea. Most chai lattes are made with Massala chai , which can include sugar, ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise and even peppercorns.​

How to make a better chai latte (2)

How to brew a perfect chai latte

Serves 1+ people

Ingredients

  • Loose leaf T2 Chai
  • Milk of choice (we recommend cow, soy or oat)
  • Honey or preferred sweetener

Tools

  • Chai pot or saucepan
  • Strainer
  • How to make a better chai latte (3)2-3 tsp per cup
  • How to make a better chai latte (4)5 mins

Most cafes that offer chai lattes don't actually brew the tea themselves, they make them by adding powdered tea to steamed milk. There's nothing wrong with this method. But if you do take the time to make a loose leaf chai latte at home, you'll end up with a beautiful drink and a house filled with its delightful spicy aroma.

To brew the perfect chai latte, all you need to do is:​

  • 1

    Find the right blend of loose leaf chai for your tastes. While you can start from scratch and add your own chai latte spices to black tea, it is quicker to find a blend you already love.

  • 2

    Add two to three teaspoons of chai to a saucepan with 250mL of milk and brew for five minutes. Strain the brewed chai into your cup and top it up with steamed milk for a cafe experience.

  • 3

    Add honey or sugar to taste. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try adding maple syrup or condensed milk for a caramel flavour.

How to make a better chai latte (5)

How to brew a perfect iced chai latte

Serves 1+ people

Ingredients

  • Loose leaf T2 Chai
  • Milk of choice (we recommend cow, soy or oat)
  • Honey or preferred sweetener

Tools

  • Chai pot or saucepan
  • Strainer
  • How to make a better chai latte (6)2-3 tsp per cup
  • How to make a better chai latte (7)5 mins

Chai lattes aren't just for warming your soul on a wintry night. If you've never tried an iced chai latte on a balmy summer day, you're in for a treat. Making an ice chai latte is simple.

  • 1

    Steep your chai as described above.

  • 2

    Add your desired sweetener to your still hot strained/dissolved chai and stir.

  • 3

    Chill the chai in your fridge overnight or, if you'd like an extra frosty beverage, pour the chai into ice cube trays and freeze it.

  • 4

    Mix your chai with your preferred milk, three parts chai, one part milk. Or, you can blend your ice cubes with milk for a delicious chai frappe.

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  • Chai lattes are made with black tea leaves, which meansthey willhave some caffeine.They arestill a good alternative to coffee ifyou'relooking to limit your caffeine intake, as the average chai lattehas about a quarter of the amount of caffeineyou'llget in a regularlatte.

  • While chai tea and chai lattes are made with the same ingredients,there is a subtle difference in how these two spicy beverages areprepared. Chai tea is made by brewing loose leaf tea in milk, whichgives it a softer flavour and a flatter texture. Chai lattes are madebybrewing the teain water or dissolving a chai latte sachet, thenadding steamed milk. This process gives it a creamier feeling in yourmouth and more pronounced flavour.​

  • A dirty chai coffee is a chai latte that has a shot or two of espressoadded to it for an extra kick.​

  • Dirty chai lattes are a real treat, especially becausethey'reone of themore expensive items in a coffee shop! The good news is that youcan easily make this drink at home. All you need to do is follow thesteps for brewing a chai latte, then add a shot of espresso orteaspoon of dissolved coffee powder.

How to make a better chai latte (18)

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How to make a better chai latte (2024)

FAQs

How to enhance chai latte? ›

Add two to three teaspoons of chai to a saucepan with 250mL of milk and brew for five minutes. Strain the brewed chai into your cup and top it up with steamed milk for a cafe experience. Add honey or sugar to taste. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try adding maple syrup or condensed milk for a caramel flavour.

How do you upgrade a chai latte at Starbucks? ›

If your favorite part of a chai latte is the spice elements, ask for a few pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup. Cinnamon dolce syrup is a cinnamon sugar-flavored syrup that will complement the cinnamon element of a chai latte. If you don't want any additional sweetness, ask for a dusting of cinnamon in your latte instead.

What flavors to add to a chai latte? ›

Ginger and pepper add a spicy kick that is evened out by the earthy notes of cardamom and cloves. A touch of cinnamon adds a dash of sweetness for a smooth finish. Chai tea is commonly sweetened using maple syrup, brown sugar, and sweetened milks.

What tastes good with chai tea latte? ›

Biscuits or Cookies: Simple biscuits or cookies like shortbread, ginger snaps, or butter cookies make for a delightful pairing with chai. The subtle sweetness of the treats complements the spiciness of the tea.

How do I make my chai tea taste better? ›

If you want to taste the chai tea more I recommend using 2 tea bags, honey and sugar to your liking depending how sweet you like it. Garnished with nutmeg and cinnamon.

How do I order a dirty chai latte at Starbucks? ›

If you a craving a dirty chai (which is the black tea concentrate and steamed milk with shots of espresso added in), you could ask for a chai latte with two shots of espresso, which will roughly cost you $8.64 for a grande size — however, if you order a cafe latte with four pumps of chai syrup instead, you'll only pay ...

What's the difference between a chai latte and a spiced chai latte? ›

Authentic masala chai is often differentiated from its Western counterpart, the "chai latte." Chai lattes tend to have a sweeter, less complex flavor profile compared to traditional masala chai due to their use of sweeteners, chai syrup, or concentrates.

Why is Starbucks chai tea latte so good? ›

Sugar and Spice: Appealing to Sweet Palates

The drink is often made with a base of heavily sweetened chai concentrate, combined with steamed milk and topped with foam and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This sweet and spicy combination caters to those with a penchant for sugary beverages, appealing to a wide range of tastes.

What does Starbucks use for their chai latte? ›

"Tazo Chai latte is the brand served at Starbucks.

What makes chai latte so sweet? ›

However, that sweet taste also comes from one or two teaspoons of sugar or honey added to each serving, usually along with a few tablespoons of milk.

What is a 7 pump no water chai latte? ›

Khloe responded, "Ooh, Venti, seven-pump no water chai latte." While most Venti chai lattes have five or six pumps of chai at the chain, Khloe's way of ordering the drink gives it "a little extra fabulousness," she said. And with no water to thin out the tea mix, we bet it tastes extra sweet and spicy.

Do you put creamer in chai latte? ›

Place the teabags, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice in the coffee filter of a drip coffee maker. Add the water and brew. In a small saucepan, combine the milk, brown sugar, and creamer. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through and sugar is dissolved.

What milk goes best with chai latte? ›

Prepare a chai latte with cow milk. Classic chai is prepared with high-fat milk, and sometimes with condensed milk or even butter. Cow's milk gives chai it a smooth, rich and authentic taste. It tends to work well with any blend of spices.

What flavors compliment chai? ›

For an amped-up combination, try chai with coffee, such as our Dirty Chai. The spices and notes combined with both chocolate and coffee make for an irresistible pairing. Enjoy Spiced Cookies: Cookies flavored with spices such as clove, ginger, and star anise complement the flavors of masala chai tea.

What alcohol can you add to chai latte? ›

Spiced rum and a drop of orange liqueur compliment all of those cozy, fall flavors in the spiced tea and help to take the edge off just a bit.

What does chai latte do to your body? ›

The Bottom Line

Chai tea is a fragrant, spicy tea that may help boost heart health, reduce blood sugar levels, aid digestion and help with weight loss.

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