Classic Starbucks Chai Tea Latte

There’s nothing quite like that first sip of a creamy, spiced chai latte on a cold morning. I used to make daily trips to Starbucks just to get my fix, but those $5 drinks add up fast when you’re feeding a family of four. So I decided to figure out how to make my own at home.

After plenty of trial and error in my kitchen, I finally nailed the perfect copycat recipe. It has all the warm spices and smooth texture I crave, but costs a fraction of the price. Plus, I can make it as strong or as sweet as I want.

The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already. No special equipment needed, and it takes less time than driving to the coffee shop. Now I can enjoy my chai latte habit without the guilt or the expense.

What Kind of Chai Concentrate Should I Use?

You have a few good options when it comes to chai concentrate for your homemade latte. Store-bought concentrates like Tazo or Oregon Chai work great and save you time – just look for them in the tea aisle or refrigerated section of your grocery store. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make your own concentrate by simmering black tea with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, then straining it out. The homemade route gives you more control over the spice level and sweetness, but the store-bought versions are convenient and taste pretty close to what you’d get at a coffee shop.

Options for Substitutions

This cozy latte is super flexible and works with lots of different ingredients you might have at home:

• Chai concentrate: If you don’t have store-bought concentrate, you can make your own by steeping 4-5 strong black tea bags with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves in hot water for 10 minutes, then adding a bit of sugar.
• Milk: Any milk works here – dairy, oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk all create delicious results. Keep in mind that different milks will change the flavor slightly, with coconut adding richness and oat milk giving a creamy texture.
• Sweeteners: Use whatever sweetener you prefer or have on hand. Regular sugar, agave, stevia, or even a dash of vanilla extract with sugar all work well. Start with less and add more to taste.
• Whipped cream: Skip the whipped cream if you want, or try frothed milk instead for a more authentic coffeehouse experience. You can froth milk with a small whisk or even shake it in a jar.
• Spices: Don’t have pumpkin pie spice? Just use what you have – cinnamon alone is perfect, or try a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even a tiny bit of ground ginger.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making chai lattes at home is heating the milk too quickly or at too high a temperature, which can cause it to scorch and develop a burnt taste that ruins the whole drink.

Another common error is adding sweetener after the milk has cooled down – for the best flavor, stir in your honey or syrup while the milk is still hot so it dissolves completely and blends evenly throughout.

Don’t skip warming your chai concentrate before mixing, as cold concentrate mixed with hot milk creates an uneven temperature that affects both taste and texture.

Finally, when frothing milk at home, stop before it gets too thick and bubbly – you want smooth, creamy foam that pours nicely rather than stiff peaks that sit on top like a cloud.

What to Serve With Chai Tea Latte?

A warm chai tea latte pairs beautifully with sweet breakfast treats like cinnamon rolls, scones, or buttery croissants that complement those cozy spices. I love sipping mine alongside a slice of banana bread or some homemade muffins – the cinnamon and cardamom flavors in the chai really bring out the sweetness in baked goods. For something a bit more indulgent, try it with a piece of coffee cake or even some ginger cookies that echo the warming spices in your latte. If you’re having it as an afternoon treat, a simple biscotti or shortbread cookie makes for perfect dunking.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: If you make extra chai concentrate, store it in the fridge in a sealed jar or container for up to a week. The prepared latte is best enjoyed fresh and hot, but you can keep any leftover concentrate ready for your next craving. Just give it a good stir before using since the spices might settle.

Make Ahead: You can totally prep your chai concentrate in bigger batches to save time during busy mornings. Make a double or triple batch and portion it out in the fridge. This way you can whip up a cozy latte in just a few minutes whenever you need that chai fix.

Serve Cold: Turn your leftover chai concentrate into an iced latte by mixing it with cold milk over ice. Add your sweetener of choice and maybe a splash of vanilla for something different. It’s perfect for warmer days when you still want that spiced chai flavor but need something refreshing.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	5-15 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 80-120
• Protein: 2-4 g
• Fat: 2-5 g
• Carbohydrates: 13-20 g

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk (any type you prefer)
• Sweetener, to taste (such as honey, maple syrup, or sugar)
• 1/2 cup chai concentrate (I use Tazo Classic Chai Latte concentrate)
• Whipped cream (optional, for garnish)
• Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (for topping)

Step 1: Combine Chai and Milk

• 1/2 cup chai concentrate
• 1/2 cup milk (any variety)

In a glass or mug, combine 1/2 cup chai concentrate with 1/2 cup milk.

Depending on your preference, use chilled ingredients for an iced latte or heat both the chai concentrate and milk for a hot drink.

Stir well to mix.

Step 2: Sweeten to Taste

• sweetener of choice (honey, simple syrup, maple syrup, brown sugar syrup, or sugar), to taste

Add your preferred sweetener, such as honey, simple syrup, maple syrup, brown sugar syrup, or sugar, to the chai and milk mixture.

Stir to dissolve completely.

I like to taste as I go to get the sweetness just right for me.

Step 3: Serve and Garnish

• whipped cream for garnish
• cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for topping

If serving iced, fill a glass with ice and pour the sweetened chai latte over it.

If serving hot, pour it directly into a mug.

Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice on top for extra flavor and a cozy aroma.