Chai Tea Latte

Name: Chai Tea Latte
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup whole milk; 2 teaspoons loose black tea or 2 black tea bags; 2 teaspoons sugar (or to taste); 1 cinnamon stick; 4 green cardamom pods (lightly crushed); 4 whole cloves; 1 small piece fresh ginger (about 1 inch, thinly sliced); 1 small star anise (optional but recommended for depth)

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Some days don’t need another cup of plain coffee—they need comfort, warmth, and a moment that slows everything down. That’s exactly why you need a chai tea latte in your life.

This recipe is the perfect cozy drink for quiet mornings, rainy afternoons, or when you want something soothing but still indulgent.

Its special magic comes from whole spices gently simmered in milk, creating a café-style drink at home that melts stress, lifts your mood, and makes you feel taken care of.

Take your first sip and you’ll notice how rich and creamy it feels, with soft foam resting on top.

The flavor is deep and layered: warm cinnamon and spicy ginger hit first, followed by sweet cardamom and a gentle clove warmth that lingers.

The texture is silky and smooth, with just enough body to feel luxurious without being heavy.

Fresh ginger and whole spices are the star ingredients here, infusing every sip with real depth you simply can’t get from powders alone.

This chai tea latte is simple and beginner-friendly, ready in about 15 minutes. You can adjust the sweetness or spice level to make it truly yours, and serve it extra hot or lightly frothed depending on your mood.

By the end, you’ll have a comforting drink that tastes like it came from your favorite café—and it just might become your new daily ritual.

Chai Tea Latte Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons loose black tea or 2 black tea bags

2 teaspoons sugar, or to taste
1 cinnamon stick
4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
4 whole cloves
1 small piece fresh ginger, about 1 inch, thinly sliced
1 small star anise (optional but recommended for depth)

Instructions

Pour the water into a small saucepan and add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, ginger slices, and star anise if using. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly and let the spices simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. This step is important because it allows the spices to fully release their flavor into the water.

Add the milk to the saucepan and increase the heat just until the mixture begins to steam and gently bubble. Do not let it aggressively boil, as that can affect the texture.
Stir in the loose black tea or add the tea bags, then add the sugar. Lower the heat and let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Turn off the heat and let the chai rest for 1 minute so the flavors settle.

Strain the chai tea latte into cups, pressing gently on the spices and ginger to extract every bit of flavor.
Taste and adjust sweetness if needed, then serve hot. For a café feel, you can lightly froth the milk before pouring.

What Is A Chai Tea Latte And How Is It Different From Regular Chai?

A chai tea latte is a creamy, lightly sweetened drink made by combining strong spiced tea with milk. While both regular chai and chai tea latte use black tea and warming spices, the main difference is the balance between tea and milk.

In a traditional cup of chai, the tea and spices are usually stronger and bolder, with milk added but not always in equal parts.

A chai tea latte, on the other hand, focuses on a smoother, café-style experience where milk plays a bigger role. This makes the drink gentler, creamier, and easier to sip slowly.

You’ll especially notice the difference in texture and comfort level. A chai tea latte feels soft, rich, and soothing, making it perfect when you want a cozy drink instead of a sharp or bitter one.

What Spices Are Used In A Chai Tea Latte?

Chai tea latte gets its signature flavor from a blend of warm spices that work together, not overpower each other. Each spice has a job, and skipping one can change the final taste. Here are the most common spices and what they do:

Cinnamon: adds warmth and a gentle sweetness that forms the base flavor.
Cardamom: gives a fragrant, slightly floral note that makes chai taste special.

Ginger: brings a mild heat that wakes up your senses and balances the milk.
Cloves: add deep warmth and a cozy, almost sweet-spicy aroma.
Star anise: contributes a soft licorice-like note and extra depth.

Using whole spices instead of powders gives you a cleaner, fresher flavor because the spices release their oils slowly while simmering.

What Kind Of Tea Works Best For Chai Tea Latte?

Black tea is the best choice for a chai tea latte because it has a strong enough flavor to stand up to milk and spices. If the tea is too light, the drink can taste flat or watery. The most commonly used black teas include:

Assam tea: rich, malty, and bold, which makes the latte taste full-bodied.

Ceylon tea: slightly lighter and brighter, good if you want a cleaner finish.
Plain black tea bags: easy and reliable when you want a simple option.

Avoid green or herbal teas for this recipe, as they don’t have the strength needed to balance the spices and milk.

Can I Make Chai Tea Latte Without A Frother?

Yes, you can still make a creamy chai tea latte even if you don’t have a frother. While a frother gives that café-style foam, it’s not required for great results. You can create foam using simple kitchen tools:

Whisk: heat the milk and whisk it vigorously until light foam forms.
Jar method: pour warm milk into a jar, close the lid tightly, and shake for about 20 to 30 seconds.

Blender: blend warm milk for a few seconds to create smooth, even foam.

Even without foam, the drink will still taste rich and comforting because the spices and milk do most of the work.

How Sweet Should A Chai Tea Latte Be?

The sweetness of a chai tea latte is completely adjustable, which is one of its best features. Some people prefer it lightly sweet, while others enjoy a dessert-like drink.

Start with a small amount of sweetener, then taste and adjust. The spices already add natural warmth, so you don’t need much sugar to make it enjoyable. If you add too much sweetness early, it can hide the spice flavors instead of enhancing them.

The goal is balance: you should taste the tea and spices first, with sweetness supporting them, not overpowering them.

Can I Make Chai Tea Latte Ahead Of Time?

Yes, chai tea latte is a great make-ahead drink, especially if you enjoy it often. Preparing it in advance saves time and allows the flavors to blend even more. When making it ahead:

Prepare the tea and spice mixture fully.
Let it cool slightly before storing.
Keep milk included only if you plan to use it within a few days.

When reheated gently, the drink keeps its smooth texture and deep flavor without tasting stale.

How Do I Store Leftover Chai Tea Latte?

Storing chai tea latte properly helps keep it fresh and flavorful. Here is the best way to store it:

Refrigerator: store the chai tea latte in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Separation: stir before reheating, as milk and tea may naturally separate.
Reheating: warm it slowly on the stove or in the microwave, stopping to stir so it doesn’t scorch.

Avoid boiling during reheating, as this can dull the spice flavors and affect the texture.

Can I Freeze Chai Tea Latte?

Yes, you can freeze chai tea latte, but it works best when you freeze the tea and spice base without milk. For best results:

Tea base only: freeze the spiced tea in freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays.

Storage time: keep frozen for up to 2 months.
When ready to use: thaw in the refrigerator, then heat and add fresh milk.

Freezing with milk can slightly change the texture, which is why adding milk fresh gives the smoothest result.

Why Does My Chai Tea Latte Taste Bitter?

Bitterness usually comes from the tea being over-brewed or boiled too hard. Common causes include:

Tea steeped too long: black tea should not simmer for extended periods.
High heat: boiling the tea aggressively releases bitter compounds.
Too many spices: excess cloves or star anise can overpower the drink.

To fix this, reduce steeping time and keep the heat gentle once the tea is added.

Is Chai Tea Latte Caffeinated?

Yes, chai tea latte contains caffeine because it is made with black tea. However, the caffeine level is lower than coffee. A typical cup gives you:

Gentle energy: enough to feel alert without feeling jittery.
Slower release: tea caffeine absorbs more slowly, making it smoother on your body.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, enjoy it earlier in the day or use less tea in the recipe.

hinamunawar

Chai Tea Latte

A warm, creamy spiced tea made with black tea, milk, and whole spices for a comforting café-style drink at home.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings: 2

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Indian

Calories: 120

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons loose black tea or 2 black tea bags
2 teaspoons sugar or to taste
1 cinnamon stick
4 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
4 whole cloves
1 small piece fresh ginger about 1 inch, thinly sliced
1 small star anise optional but recommended for depth

Method

Pour the water into a small saucepan and add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, ginger slices, and star anise if using. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly and let the spices simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. This step is important because it allows the spices to fully release their flavor into the water.
Add the milk to the saucepan and increase the heat just until the mixture begins to steam and gently bubble. Do not let it aggressively boil, as that can affect the texture.

Stir in the loose black tea or add the tea bags, then add the sugar. Lower the heat and let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Turn off the heat and let the chai rest for 1 minute so the flavors settle.
Strain the chai tea latte into cups, pressing gently on the spices and ginger to extract every bit of flavor.