Refreshing Iced Chai Latte Recipe for Creamy Spiced Iced Tea

What’s a Chai Latte?

A chai latte is a creamy beverage made by steeping classic chai spices with black tea, then finishing with frothed or steamed milk.

Ingredients for Spiced Chai Latte

• Fresh Ginger – Adds a bright, spicy note.
• Cardamom Pods – Offers bold, aromatic spice.
• Whole Cloves – Slightly pungent and bitter, they balance the blend.
• Cinnamon Stick – Brings warm, sweet cinnamon flavor.
• Black Tea – The base that ties the spices together and adds gentle caffeine.
• Water – For steeping the tea and spices.
• Milk – Turns the tea into a latte; dairy or plant-based both work.
• Granulated Sugar – Sweeten to taste (or substitute honey, maple, or other sweeteners).

How To Make A Chai Latte From Scratch

This chai latte is simple to make at home. Steep black tea with the spices and cinnamon, then stir in milk and sweetener. Froth the milk if you like a foamy finish.

1. Prepare the spices: Place sliced fresh ginger, cardamom pods, and whole cloves in a metal tea ball or tea filter bag to keep them contained while steeping.
2. Boil the water: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan, then remove from heat.
3. Steep: Add the tea ball, cinnamon stick, and black tea bag to the hot water. Stir and steep for about 5 minutes.
4. Finish the latte: Remove the tea bag, tea ball, and cinnamon stick. Stir in 1 cup milk and 2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste). Use an immersion blender to froth the milk while hot, or froth separately.
5. Serve: Enjoy hot, or cool slightly and pour over ice. Garnish with a pinch of ground cinnamon if desired.

Tips for Your Chai Tea Latte

• Steep for the right time: Keep the steep around 5 minutes to avoid bitterness from the black tea.
• Frothing without a blender: If you don’t have an immersion blender, add the warm milk and tea to a jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously (let it cool slightly first and open carefully).
• Cooling before ice: Let the chai cool slightly before adding ice so the drink doesn’t become diluted.
• Change up the sweetener: Substitute honey, maple syrup, agave, brown sugar, or coconut sugar to suit your taste.

Variations

• Dirty chai: Add a shot of espresso for extra caffeine and a richer flavor.
• Hot or cold: Serve hot straight from the pan, or cool and serve over ice.
• Decaf: Use decaffeinated black tea to make a caffeine-free version.

Is there coffee in a chai latte?

No—traditional chai latte is made with black tea, not coffee. A “dirty chai” adds espresso or coffee for more caffeine.

More Latte Recipes

• Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Eggnog Latte
• Gingerbread Latte

Like this recipe?

If you try it, please leave a rating and comment—feedback helps others discover this cozy treat.