Skip the coffee shop lines and make your own chai latte at home in just minutes! This easy recipe gives you that perfect balance of sweet and spicy without all the extra sugar or weird ingredients. I started making these at home after realizing I was spending way too much on store-bought versions. Trust me, once you try this homemade chai latte, you’ll never want to go back to the pre-made stuff. Plus, your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing.
Why You’ll Love This Chai Latte Recipe
The problem with most coffee shop chai lattes is they’re either loaded with sugar or don’t have that perfect spice kick. This recipe lets you control exactly what goes in – adjust the sweetness, spice level, and strength to make it exactly how you like it.
I started making these at home when I wanted something cozy in the mornings without the caffeine crash from coffee. When my mom (who’s super picky about her drinks) came to visit, she couldn’t believe how good it was and asked for the recipe right away.
The best part? It’s way cheaper than buying one every day, has no weird preservatives, and you can make it in about 5 minutes. Plus, it works perfectly as an iced drink for summer days too.
What You’ll Need for This Chai Latte
One of the best things about this recipe is how simple the ingredients are:
- Milk of choice: I use almond milk because it froths up nicely, but any milk works great here. Oat milk makes it extra creamy if that’s your thing.
- Black tea bags: These are optional! If you want a caffeine-free version, you can skip the tea completely. I like using plain Darjeeling when I do add tea.
- Ground spices: Instead of dealing with whole spices and long simmering times, this quick version uses ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. You probably already have these in your pantry.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup works perfectly and dissolves easily, but honey or any sweetener you prefer will work. Adjust to your taste.
- Vanilla extract: Optional but adds nice warmth (I sometimes add a tiny splash).
That’s it! No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients needed.
How to Make an Easy Chai Latte
What makes this recipe different is how quick it is – no need to make a separate concentrate that takes forever. This is the 5-minute version that tastes just as good:
For a Caffeine-Free Version:
- Pour 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice) into a small saucepan.
- Add 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves directly to the milk.
- Add 3 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust to your sweetness preference).
- Whisk everything together over medium heat until it starts to steam but not boil.
- Taste and adjust spices if needed – want it spicier? Add more cinnamon or a pinch of black pepper.
For a Traditional Tea Version:
- Heat 2 cups almond milk in a saucepan until it bubbles around the edges.
- Turn off heat, add 2 black tea bags, and let steep for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove tea bags, then add the spices and maple syrup.
- Whisk everything together over medium heat until hot.
That’s it! No straining, no waiting hours for concentrate to cool. Just pour into your favorite mug and enjoy right away.
If you have a milk frother, you can froth some extra milk to add on top for that coffee shop feel, but it’s totally not necessary.
Easy Chai Latte Variations to Try
The basic recipe is great, but here are some fun ways to mix it up:
Iced Chai Latte
Make the recipe as directed, then let it cool completely. Pour over a glass filled with ice for a refreshing summer drink. This is what I make nearly every afternoon during hot months.
Dirty Chai Latte
Want a coffee-chai combo? After making your chai latte, add a shot of espresso or 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee. This gives you the best of both worlds and an extra caffeine kick. Starbucks charges extra for this, but at home it’s basically free.
Pumpkin Chai Latte
Add 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice to your milk before heating. It tastes like fall in a cup – even better than the Starbucks pumpkin chai latte that costs twice as much.
Vanilla Chai Latte
Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and use vanilla almond milk. This makes it taste like dessert without adding extra sugar.
Frozen Chai Latte
Blend your finished chai latte with 1 cup ice and a frozen banana for a smoothie-style treat. Perfect for breakfast on busy mornings.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Adjust to taste: This recipe is super flexible. If you love more cinnamon, add it! Not sweet enough? Add more maple syrup. The measurements are just starting points.
- Make ahead: You can make a bigger batch and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat gently on the stove or drink it cold over ice.
- Frothing tip: If you want that coffee shop foam without a frother, put some hot milk in a jar with a tight lid and shake it vigorously for 30 seconds. Instant foam!
- Spice variations: Try adding a tiny pinch of cardamom or nutmeg for different flavor profiles. Start small – these spices can be powerful.
- Sweetener options: Can’t have maple syrup? Try honey, agave, or even a sugar-free sweetener if needed.
I first started making this chai latte recipe when I got tired of spending $5 every morning at the coffee shop. Now my husband asks for it every weekend morning, and it’s become our little ritual to sip these while we read or catch up on shows.
What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is while still feeling special. It takes just a few minutes but makes you feel like you’re treating yourself to something fancy. Plus, it’s so much healthier than the pre-made versions that are loaded with sugar and preservatives.
If you enjoyed this chai latte recipe, you might also love our Homemade Bubble Tea or refreshing Iced Matcha Latte. For another cozy drink option, check out our version of the Starbucks Medicine Ball. Coffee lovers should definitely try our Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso or Iced Spanish Latte recipes!
Chai Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Mug
- Optional: Milk frother
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk or milk of choice
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 2 black tea bags optional for a caffeinated version
Instructions
- For a Caffeine-Free Version: Pour the almond milk into a small saucepan.
- Add cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and maple syrup directly to the milk.
- Whisk everything together over medium heat until it starts to steam but not boil.
- Taste and adjust spices if needed. Pour into a mug and enjoy!
- For a Traditional Tea Version:
- Heat almond milk in a saucepan until it bubbles around the edges.
- Turn off the heat, add tea bags, and let steep for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove tea bags, then add spices and maple syrup.
- Whisk everything together over medium heat until hot. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Chai Latte FAQs
What is in a chai latte?
A chai latte combines spiced tea with steamed milk and sweetener. Traditional spices include cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and sometimes black pepper or star anise. Unlike regular chai tea which is mostly tea with a bit of milk, a chai latte has more milk (like a coffee latte) making it creamier and often sweeter. This recipe simplifies things by adding spices directly to the milk, making it quicker and easier than traditional methods.
Is chai latte a lot of caffeine?
Nope, chai lattes have way less caffeine than coffee. A typical 8oz chai latte has around 40-50mg of caffeine, while the same size coffee packs 95-200mg. And the best part of this recipe? You can make it completely caffeine-free by skipping the tea bags! I often make the no-tea version in the evening when I want something cozy without keeping me up all night.
Are chai lattes good or bad for you?
Store-bought chai lattes and coffee shop versions often contain tons of sugar and sometimes weird additives. That’s why making them at home is so much better – you control exactly what goes in. The spices in chai actually have some health benefits – cinnamon may help with blood sugar, ginger is great for digestion, and cloves have antioxidants. Using alternative milks and natural sweeteners makes this a much healthier option than pre-made versions.
Does a chai latte have coffee in it?
No, traditional chai lattes don’t contain any coffee. They’re made with black tea (or in this recipe, you can skip the tea entirely). That said, the “dirty chai” variation adds a shot of espresso or strong coffee for those who want both flavors together.
What is a dirty chai tea latte?
A dirty chai is just a regular chai latte with a shot of espresso added. It gives you that coffee flavor plus the spicy goodness of chai. Coffee shops charge extra for this, but at home it’s super easy – just add a shot of espresso or 1/4 cup strong coffee to your finished chai latte. It’s my go-to morning drink when I can’t decide between coffee or chai.
Can you drink chai cold?
Absolutely! Chai tastes amazing cold. Just make the recipe as directed, let it cool completely, then pour over ice. It’s super refreshing in summer but has all those warm spices that make chai so good. You can make a bigger batch and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days for quick iced chai lattes whenever you want one.
How much caffeine in chai latte from Starbucks?
A grande (16oz) chai latte from Starbucks contains about 95mg of caffeine, which is less than half of what’s in their same-size coffee. Their chai concentrate is pre-sweetened and has a specific spice blend that’s less strong than traditional chai. If you want to mimic Starbucks chai at home, use a bit more sweetener and go lighter on the spices, especially the cloves.