Nothing beats a delicious hot drink, especially on a cold day. If you’re like me who enjoys Vanilla Chai Tea Latte from your favorite coffee shop, you might enjoy this homemade latte recipe.
Personally, the Starbucks Chai Tea Latte is my favorite drink. I also enjoy an iced chai or a dirty chai latte from time-to-time. If this is your first time to try this, keep reading to find out how I make one of my favorite coffee drinks at home.
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Notes and tips
- Chai tea features a fragrant blend of brewed black tea and warm spiced milk. It’s something coffee drinkers might enjoy. In this recipe, the chai tea bags are steeped directly in the warm milk, rather than water, for a rich and satisfying treat. 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.
- Although whole milk is used here, you can use your milk of choice, a combination of milk and heavy cream, or plant-based alternatives such as coconut or almond milk. Do note that using non-dairy milk will have an effect on the taste.
- Some chai latte recipes recommend ground spices rather than the 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.
- If you can’t find the whole spices in your local grocery store, you can find them online. For example, you can purchase the cardamom pods here: Walmart (Organic cardamom pods) and Amazon.
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Did you know?
- Chai tea originates from India where it’s called ‘masala chai’.
- The difference between Chai latte and dirty chai latte – Chai latte is concentrated with a blend of the natural flavors of chai spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and simmered with hot milk while a dirty chai latte is a chai latte that has two shots of espresso.
- Cardamom, used in this recipe, is one of the most expensive spices in the world and is a cornerstone for a chai tea latte. It’s safe to be taken in moderate amounts. Studies say that it has impressive medicinal abilities that can improve health — two of those being its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yields: 2 12-oz. servings or 4 6-oz. servings
Pro Tip
I’ve linked some of the items you may not easily find in all grocery stores to Walmart. They have all of the ingredients you need. My new favorite way to shop is to have my groceries and household necessities delivered to my door with Walmart Plus.
You can get a free trial here or get free shipping when your order is $35 or more.
Ingredients of Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
- 3 c. whole milk
- 2 T. cardamom pods **see links above
- 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
- Optional Garnish: Ground cinnamon and/or whole star anise
Supplies used
How to Make Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
Step #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.
Step #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).
Step #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.
Step #4. Remove from heat and discard the tea bags, squeezing first to release as much flavor 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.
Step #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.
Step #6. Divide the liquid from the blender among the serving mugs and top off each with a big spoonful of foam. Sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon and garnish with star anise, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your Vanilla Chai Latte!
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Vanilla Chai Tea Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 c. whole milk
- 2 T. cardamom pods **see links above
- 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
- Garnish: Ground cinnamon and/or whole star anise (Optional)
Instructions
- Pour milk into a large skillet set over slightly less than medium heat.
- 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).
- 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 flavor 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.
- Pour the remaining mixture into a blender and blend on high for 1-2 minutes, or until a nice foam develops.
- Divide the liquid from the blender among the serving mugs and top off each with a big spoonful of foam. Sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon and garnish with star anise, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your Vanilla Chai Latte!
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