Chai Tea Latte - Immaculate Bites

Date:October 22, 2025 2:00 pm

For an incredibly easy gourmet drink, you have to try this chai tea latte. It’s rich, creamy, spicy, sweet, and just plain cozy. A latte at home is perfect for a warm afternoon pick-me-up.

Two refreshingly hot cups of chai tea latte.

 

If you’re a chai tea lover, get hyped because this homemade chai tea latte recipe is out of this world delicious. You’ll do everything from scratch (well, except picking and drying the tea leaves), which makes the results oh-so-tasty. Made-from-scratch cooking is easier than most people think. Besides, when you taste this homemade version, you’ll see the little extra prep work pays dividends. 

This Starbucks copycat is a true treat. It’s ultra comforting and looks pretty, too. Just before serving, dob a little homemade whipped cream, sprinkle a little freshly ground nutmeg on top, and watch your guests get all starry-eyed.

Serving up hot Indian spiced tea with biscotti for an amazing afternoon pick-me-up.

What Is Chai?

Chai is an Asian word that simply means tea. The spiced version with milk originated in India but is dearly loved in East Africa, particularly Kenya. People there often enjoy the beverage alongside the East African spiced doughnuts (mandazi).

The combination includes black tea, milk, and spices (cinnamon, anise, clove, cardamom, and ginger). Finally, a touch of sugar or honey adds the perfect touch of sweetness. (Feel free to leave out sweeteners for a paleo and keto-friendly drink.)

How to Make a Chai Tea Latte

  1. Spices – Crush the star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods, and chop up the ginger. 
  2. Simmer the spices in 2 cups of water for 5-8 minutes.
  3. Tea – Turn off the heat, add the tea bags, and steep them for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Milk – When the tea has reached the desired strength, stir in the coconut milk. Bring the liquid back to a boil, and immediately turn off the heat. Then, strain into latte cups.
  5. Serve hot with low-fat or homemade whipped cream and a sprinkling of grated nutmeg. You could also let it cool and pour it over ice.
Serving up two frothy cups of chai tea latter.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Make your own coconut milk or replace it with regular, almond, oat, or other milk you love.
  • From scratch is great, but store-bought tea concentrate or chai tea bags also work fine.
  • Let the finished tea cool, then pour it into ice cube trays. When completely frozen, toss the cubes in the blender and blend until smooth and icy for a frappuccino-style chai tea.
  • Stir a shot of espresso into your latte for a dirty latte, and you’re good to go.
  • Let it cool and pour it over ice for a refreshing, chilled drink on a hot summer day.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Feel free to make a double or triple batch of this tea and store it in a pitcher with a lid in the fridge. You can use it up over the course of 3-5 days. Pour out single servings and heat them in the microwave or stovetop, or just pour the chilled mixture over ice.

Serving up steaming hot chai and coconut milk with biscotti.Serving up steaming hot chai and coconut milk with biscotti.

What Goes With Chai Tea Latte

I highly recommend topping your chai tea latte with whipped cream and grated nutmeg. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, drizzle it with some homemade caramel sauce, too! Serve it with a snack, like mandazi, coffee cake, or cranberry orange scones.

More Tantalizing Tea Recipes to Try

By Imma

This blog post was originally published in October 2017 and has been updated with additional tips and beautiful photos.

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Total: 25 minutes

African, Indian

  • Crush star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods. Chop the ginger (mince the ginger for more intensity)

  • In a medium saucepan, bring two cups of water with the crushed spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and star anise) to a boil. Simmer for 5-8 minutes.

  • Turn off the heat, add the tea bags, and let them steep for 2-3 minutes.

  • When the tea reaches the desired strength, add the coconut milk. Bring to a boil and immediately turn the heat off.

  • Strain and serve hot with whipped cream and grated nutmeg. Or let it cool and pour it over ice.

  • Always use drinkable coconut milk, the kind sold in a carton, not canned coconut milk cream.
  • Please don’t boil the tea bags because they’ll turn bitter. Simmer the spices, turn off the heat, then add the tea bags. When you add the coconut milk and return it to a boil, make sure you turn the heat off as soon as it starts bubbling.
  • Adjust the time you let the tea bags steep in the water to adjust the strength of your chai tea latte. A longer steep equals a stronger tea.
  • Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Serving: 175ml| Calories: 295kcal (15%)| Carbohydrates: 15g (5%)| Protein: 4g (8%)| Fat: 27g (42%)| Saturated Fat: 23g (144%)| Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g| Monounsaturated Fat: 1g| Cholesterol: 4mg (1%)| Sodium: 36mg (2%)| Potassium: 370mg (11%)| Fiber: 2g (8%)| Sugar: 4g (4%)| Vitamin A: 44IU (1%)| Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)| Calcium: 74mg (7%)| Iron: 5mg (28%)

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: African, Indian

Diet: Gluten Free

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