This homemade Chai Tea Latte is incredibly simple to make at home. It’s warming, the perfect level of sweet, and you probably have all the ingredients in your cupboard already.
Hey, friends. I’ve posted a lot of Starbucks-copycat/inspired recipes on Baking Mischief over the years, BUT until now they’ve mostly been coffee-based (like my Mocha, Caramel Macchiato, Caramel Latte, etc.). Well no more.
Tea lovers, get hyped, today’s recipe is for you: Chai Tea Latte.
Incredibly Easy Chai Tea Latte
This homemade chai latte is beyond simple to make at home. It’s warming, the perfect level of sweet, and if you’re a chai tea drinker, you probably have the ingredients in your cupboard already.
Ingredients
For your latte, all you will need are:
- Chai tea bag: Any brand will work, caffeinated or decaf.
- Sugar: I call for granulated sugar in the recipe, but you can also use brown sugar or your favorite artificial sweetener.
- Milk: By default, Starbucks uses 2% milk in their drinks, but you can use any milk you’d like including non-dairy milks. The higher fat your milk, the creamier your drink will be.
How to Make a Chai Tea Latte
- To make a chai latte, you’ll make a quick chai concentrate, in this case, a very strongly brewed 1/4 cup of tea with sugar.
- Next, foam milk on the stove, either by whisking vigorously or using a milk frother, and then just pour the steamed milk over the chai concentrate. Serve and enjoy!
That’s it. Super easy, super quick, super good.
FAQ
What does a chai tea latte taste like?
I think Starbucks’ chai latte actually tastes a lot like their pumpkin spice latte minus the slight bitterness the espresso gives it (there is no coffee in a chai latte).
This homemade version is very much the same. You have the spicy, warming chai flavor, lightly sweetened, and mellowed out by the steamed milk. Starbucks uses 2% milk by default, but if you like a richer drink, you can use whole milk or even add a splash of half and half or heavy cream.
Is there caffeine in a chai latte?
Yes. Chai tea is naturally caffeinated so if you use regular chai, your latte will have caffeine. If you want a decaf version, use decaf chai tea bags.
Can I make this an iced chai tea latte?
Yes! Go check out my iced chai latte post for instructions on how to make this recipe iced.
More Starbucks Coffee Drinks
- White Chocolate Mocha
- Iced Mocha Recipe
- Iced White Chocolate Mocha
- Dulce de Leche Latte
- Salted Caramel Mocha
Recipe Notes
- If you make a lot of lattes at home and enjoy really foamy milk, I recommend purchasing a handheld milk foamer. They are pretty inexpensive (typically $10-$20), work well, and are just fun to use. 😉 I own the PowerLix MilkPro Frother, and I’ve been really happy with it.
- This recipe makes a 1-cup (8-ounce) latte. If you want to fill an oversized cup, 1½ or double the recipe.
Easy Chai Tea Latte
Ingredients
- ¼ cup filtered water
- 1 chai tea bag
- 2 teaspoons (8g) granulated sugar *
- ¾ cup milk any percentage
- Cinnamon optional for topping
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring water to a boil. Pour into an 8-ounce mug and steep tea bag for 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bag. Stir in sugar.
- While your tea steeps, pour milk into the pot and heat over medium heat until milk begins to steam (do not bring to a boil) whisk vigorously until foamy or use a handheld milk frother to froth milk.
- Pour most of the milk into the tea concentrate, stirring to combine before adding in the last of the milk and foam, sprinkle with cinnamon if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.
Yunna Pinheiro says
Chai in hindi language means TEA so saying the word in hindi and following it up with English translation doesn’t make sense. It like basically saying Tea Tea
Sharon says
Was so easy. I was concerned about frothing the milk. Worked beautifully using a wisk. Tasted so great. Just as I was imagining. Thank you.
Tracy says
So happy it worked out for you!!
Sadie says
Turned out great thanks for the simple recipe to follow! I used brown sugar as my sweetner 2teaspoons was definitely sweet I think I’ll try just one next time
Excited to be able to offer this as an option when having guest over
Buffy says
I love Chai tea but I have never had any at Starbucks .
What brand of the Tea bags do you think is the best to use ?
Thank you ,
Buffy
Bobby says
WOW!! INCREDIBLE!! CAN’T WAIT TO DRINK IT AGAIN!!
Tracy says
Lol so glad you enjoyed it!
Sheila O says
This was delicious!!! I used fat free milk and 1/2 and 1/2, and used my wisk to mix the milk.. Like someone else said, I will double the recipe next time as 8oz is not enough for me!
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it, Sheila!
Gracie says
This was a little messy but so worth it. So so so good but it’s most important that you have good quality chai because it makes all the difference, trust me! love this recipe- gonna share to friends and family
Lisa says
OMG!!!! Just made it. So delicious and the heavy whipping cream made it so rich. This will be my go to for awhile. Thank you for sharing. I only wish I doubled the recipe. 8oz is not enough. Lol. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow
Jay says
Great recipe!! Was wondering how to steam milk myself. I’ve only been to Starbucks a couple times in my entire life and recently was really jonesing for a chai latte, went to the local ‘bucks and got one and man that was the most disappointing several dollars I’ve spent in a while. Disgusting and way too sweet. Really burned me and I shall never go there again. Glad I could make a better one at home for far cheaper and far less sugar.
Jean says
Loved it! I never had Chai Tea Latte before but will certainly make it again. Used only 1 teaspoon of sugar.
One of the comments said she pays $6.00 at Starbucks. Just think how much money one can safe by making this at home as well as capuccino.
Sadia says
Hello. This looks good. I do want to ask you where can i find those cups that you have in the pictures please. Thank you
Tracy says
I get asked this question all the time, and unfortunately, I’m not sure where to buy them. This was a thrift-store buy I found while prop hunting. Sorry!
Eileen R says
They look similar to Irish coffee mugs…try googling that , or glass coffee mugs, and you might find something close. I saw some on the webstaurant store website that looked close
Brenda says
I found my irish coffee mugs at Canadian Tire all places..
Christina says
Really easy and so good! Especially when it’s raining outside, as it is right now!
Thank you, Tracy!
Laurie K says
After spending over $6 for a Chai Latte at Starbucks I’m glad I found this recipe. It tastes very similar to Starbucks and the next time I’ll put it over ice. Thanks!
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it, Laurie!!
Connie says
I highly recommend this recipe. Delicious and economical.
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Pamela says
Delicious easy recipe! I’d like to try with almond milk too. Used a little less sugar but followed recipe. Will make often!
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it, Pamela!!
AllexLatte lover says
It turned out really good.. my daughter was craving starbucks and i made this so I don’t have to go … she was very happy and asked for it again the next day. Thank you for sharing
Tracy says
So thrilled to hear it!!