A vanilla chai latte is a sweet, spicy drink that can be made at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand. This recipe includes what the drink is, how to make it, and tips on what ingredients to use. Whether you’re looking for a new coffee shop alternative or are just craving something hot and delicious, this easy-to-make beverage will hit the spot every time!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and sometimes recommend products from other sellers at no extra cost to you. For more details see my disclosure policy and privacy policy.
So what’s a vanilla chai latte?
You might find that a chai latte is more than just the next trendy drink. It was actually invented in America and has been around for 20 years now, taking traditional masala chai tea from India and combining it with frothy milk of a latté to create this sweet spiced beverage perfect for any time! Also known as vanilla chai tea, it has led to a whole range of chai tea latte variations.
What many people don’t know about these drinks though is that they often use too much sugar or spice which can make them less authentic tasting. This drink takes after the original creator, Starbucks. So it is a Starbucks copycat chai tea latte recipe!
The Coffee Chef Planner
Daily planning, journalling, and a proper coffee tasting log with a flavour wheel — 20 pages in one printable bundle.
Shop the planner →
Brewforge
A growing edit of coffee bar gear we’d genuinely want on our own counter, added to as we find things worth having.
Shop Brewforge →Make a homemade chai spices blend
Masala chai spices can be made from many different ingredients based on the cook, just like curry powder. This Homemade Chai Spice mix uses common masala chai spices, but keep in mind that there are a lot of other regional Indian spice blends out there too!
In traditional recipes for masala chais, you’ll often see whole herbs and ground-up staples used instead of pre-made mixes – this recipe makes it easy to use these spices as needed without having them cluttering your kitchen cabinets or spilling all over your stovetop while cooking.
Some chai latte recipes recommend ground spices rather than cracked whole spices as described here. Although ground spices are a bit easier to use, they can leave an unpleasant gritty residue behind even after straining.
How to froth milk for a vanilla chai latte
The frothiest, most flavorful latte comes out of the perfect vanilla chai. You’ll need a little technique to get that fluffy foam and some equipment too! Don’t worry if you’re new at it; just read How To Froth Milk before getting started so we can help you make your first try a success.
Heat the milk to 150 degrees (scalding). The temperature is important for the perfect frothy foam. Use a food thermometer or wait until there are some small bubbles starting to form on the outside, but it’s not yet simmering.
Use either an electric whisker blender, a hand-held immersion blender with attachment beater attachments that will fit into your saucepan of milk OR use a French press! For those who don’t have these implements available, you can also vigorously whisk and pump 100 times using a regular old spoon which should result in beautiful creamy and foamy results too!
Milk and sweeteners for this vanilla chai latte
Whole milk is only one of many options for experimenting with this recipe. You can also try a combination of kinds of milk, such as whole and heavy cream or use plant-based non-dairy milk alternatives like coconut milk instead. However, keep in mind that the type you choose will impact the taste!
This vanilla chai latte is crafted to be just sweet enough! If you’re used to super sugary drinks from Starbucks, try adding a little more sweetness in advance. Here’s what we like to use for that:
- Maple syrup (favourite). Maple syrup has an interesting overtone without being too intense and it can make any drink feel special. We also love using maple sugar on our desserts or toast with butter because of the texture contrast they offer while still tasting good together!
- Simple syrups such as honey are great choices if you want something sweeter than tap water but not so overpowering as commercial cane sugars found at grocery stores which often have added preservatives and artificial flavours.
- Agave nectar offers yet another natural flavour
You Might Also Like: The Best Coffee Syrups: Top Brands and How to Use Them From The Coffee Chef
What you need to make a vanilla chai latte
- 3 c. whole milk
- 2 T. cardamom pods
- 1 T. whole allspice
- 1 T. whole cloves
- 5-6 whole star anise
- 3-4 2” cinnamon sticks
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- 1 t. real vanilla extract
- 2-3 T. honey (adjust to suit personal preference)
- 3 black tea bags, preferably organic
How to make the recipe
Pour milk into a large skillet set over slightly less than medium heat.
Tip: Set temperature between medium and medium-low. The milk should get very warm, but not scald.
Place the cardamom pods, allspice, and cloves in a plastic bag and place them on a cutting board. Gently pound on the spices with a meat mallet or rolling pin just until they crack. (They should remain mostly whole, but opened up a bit).
Add the cracked spices, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, vanilla extract, and honey to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer until the milk is very warm and fragrant, approximately 5-6 minutes, then add the tea bags to brew for another 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and discard the tea bags, squeezing first to release as much flavour as possible. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, reserving the liquid. Discard the solids and divide two-thirds of the remaining liquid between individual serving mugs and set them aside.
Pour the remaining mixture into a blender and blend on high for 1-2 minutes, or until a nice foam develops.
Tip: Make sure the blender cap is properly vented to prevent the hot liquid from exploding.
Divide the liquid from the blender among the serving mugs and top off each with a big spoonful of foam. Sprinkle with some ground cinnamon and garnish with a star anise, if desired, and serve immediately.
Recipe tips
Chai tea features a fragrant blend of brewed black tea and warm spiced milk. Here, the tea bags are steeped directly in the warm milk, rather than water, for a rich and satisfying treat. If preferred, you can also brew the tea first in one cup hot water and stir it into two cups of the warm, spiced milk before serving.
Do Chai lattes have caffeine?
Yes, chai lattes have caffeine in them since they are made with black tea leaves.
How much sugar should I add to a chai tea latte?
If you want just a lightly sweetened tea then only use about 1-2 teaspoons honey, adding more to taste.
How do I make a vegan chai tea latte?
With this recipe, use a non-dairy milk (listed above) and instead of honey, use a vegan sweetener such as pure maple syrup.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
This chai tea latte recipe can be made dairy-free by using a dairy-free milk such as Soy Almond Oat Coconut Cashew These will each impact the taste a bit so I usually try to use the most neutral tasting non-dairy milk.
What spices should I add?
If you like yours a little spicier trying adding: 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon cloves (that would be 1 teaspoon cloves total) 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (that would be 1 teaspoon nutmeg total) My suggestion would be to start with what is listed…you can always add more spices, but you can’t take them out!
Vanilla Chai Latte
This is a recipe for making a creamy and sweet vanilla chai latte. It combines the process for making a traditional masala chai tea with the milk-frothing of a latte for an interesting version of this classic drink.
Ingredients
- 3 c. whole milk
- 2 T. cardamom pods
- 1 T. whole allspice
- 1 T. whole cloves
- 5-6 whole star anise
- 3-4 2” cinnamon sticks
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- 1 t. real vanilla extract
- 2-3 T. honey (adjust to suit personal preference)
- 3 black tea bags, preferably organic
Instructions
1. Pour milk into a large skillet set over slightly less than medium heat.
Tip: Set temperature between medium and medium-low. The milk should get very warm, but not scald.
2. Place the cardamom pods, allspice, and cloves in a plastic bag and place on a cutting board. Gently pound on the spices with a meat mallet or rolling pin just until they crack. (They should remain mostly whole, but opened up a bit).
3. Add the cracked spices, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, vanilla extract, and honey to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer until the milk is very warm and fragrant, approximately 5-6 minutes, then add the tea bags to brew for another 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and discard the tea bags, squeezing first to release as much flavour as possible. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, reserving the liquid. Discard the solids and divide two-thirds of the remaining liquid between individual serving mugs and set aside.
5. Pour the remaining mixture into a blender and blend on high for 1-2 minutes, or until a nice foam develops.
Tip: Make sure the blender cap is properly vented to prevent the hot liquid from exploding.
6. Divide the liquid from the blender among the serving mugs and top off each with a big spoonful of foam. Sprinkle with some ground cinnamon and garnish with a star anise, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Optional Garnish: Ground cinnamon and/or whole star anise
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 483Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 184mgCarbohydrates: 85gFiber: 6gSugar: 71gProtein: 13g
More From The Coffee Chef
Coffee Cup vs Mug: The Difference and How to Choose the Right One
