EASY Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Recipe {How to Make Hot or Iced} (2024)

FAQs

Is a chai tea latte hot or iced? ›

Traditional masala chai originates from India. And while a standard latte is espresso mixed with milk, a chai latte is simply chai (since chai + black tea with spices and milk), which can be served hot or iced.

What's included. Black tea infused with cinnamon, clove, and other warming spices are combined with milk and ice for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Rich, creamy, and slightly spicy, Chai Tea Latte is one of the most popular hot beverages at Starbucks.

Ingredients. Milk, Water, Chai Tea Concentrate [An Infusion Of (Water, Black Tea, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Natural Flavours, Star Anise), Sugar, Honey, Ginger Juice, Natural Flavours, Vanilla, Citric Acid].

Hot chai lattes are traditionally enjoyed warm or hot, while iced chai lattes are served chilled with ice. Brewing method: Hot chai lattes are typically prepared by simmering tea leaves and spices in boiling water, often with milk and sweetener added. This allows for a robust infusion of flavors.

Chai tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, with or without milk, and can even be used as a base for co*cktails and other drinks.

Tazo Chai Concentrate (Starbucks brand)

You can find their products in most grocery stores. This is the tea that Starbucks uses for its tea lattes and other beverages. Starbucks uses a special (and more concentrated) version of the Tazo Chai Concentrate that is not sold commercially.

Chai lattes are rich in antioxidants, which help eliminate free radicals in the body, reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, the high caffeine content in coffee can lead to side effects such as anxiety, digestive problems, insomnia, muscle breakdown, and heart palpitations.

To ensure consistency and streamline the production process, Starbucks uses a pre-made chai concentrate for their Chai Tea Latte. This concentrate contains a combination of spices, sweeteners, and flavorings, offering a quick and convenient solution for mass production.

What's a dirty chai from Starbucks? ›

Traditionally, a Chai Latte is a blend of spicy chai tea concentrate and steamed milk. When you add a shot (or two) of espresso, it becomes "dirty," representing the bold addition of coffee to the equation. While undeniably delicious, ordering a Dirty Chai Tea Latte can be pricier due to the combined costs.

Black tea infused with warm clove, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger notes. A bold, distinctive chai tea.

This sticky tea, also known as 'Wet Chai,' is brewed in the same manner as leaf tea, yielding a delicious honey sweet chai straight from the teapot. For added decadence, add a splash of cold or steamed milk.

You can use sugar, honey, maple syrup, or your favorite sugar alternative. Add sugar or sweetener to taste. Milk – Use your favorite milk or dairy-free milk alternative (almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc.) for a vegan drink.

If your chai is too watery, you probably prefer a more milky chai. You have two options, you can either forget about the water all together and replace the initial water with milk or just can use more milk in the third step.

It's actually really simple to make an iced chai latte (or hot chai latte) at home exactly the way they do at coffee shops. You just need chai concentrate, milk, and ice.

The beauty of cold-steeping is that the tea stays mellow and smooth even if you forget about it for a while. (There are Quick Steeping directions below if you need your iced chai a little more urgently.) I think four bags of tea per quart of water makes a nice spicy cup of iced chai.

To Prepare a Chai Latte From Scratch

Steep for 5-10 minutes to taste. While the tea is brewing, heat 1 pint of milk with your choice of sweetener (e.g. brown sugar), then froth with a milk frother or immersion blender. To serve, strain tea into glasses and top up with frothed milk. Use around 1/3 tea to 2/3 milk.

The quintessential chai latte is a blend of bold black tea, a symphony of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, and the creamy richness of milk. This combination creates a complex flavor profile that is both invigorating and comforting.