Chai Latte Tea Recipe
This chai latte tea recipe is the perfect blend of tea and spice!
I mentioned on Facebook that I was working on a recipe for a chia latte. The response I got was tremendous! You guys really love this stuff!
What I love about this recipe (and about all clean eating), is that I know exactly what ingredients are in my cup. And I know that each and every one of them has a wonderful nutritious benefit. Something about that knowledge makes this cup of tea taste even better. Plus, I never have to spend a small fortune at Starbucks again! (Scroll to the bottom to find the nutrition value of a Starbucks Chai Latte!)
IS THERE COFFEE IN A CHAI LATTE?
No. At least not traditionally. A Chai latte is so named because of the addition of milk to the Chai tea, much as you would add milk to a coffee latte. It is typically enjoyed as an alternative to coffee. It still has caffeine, but doesn’t have the acidity of coffee.
WHAT IS A CHAI LATTE?
Originally known as a Masala Chai, this is an Indian, heavily spiced tea with plenty of milk added. A 12 ounce chai latte has approximately 70 mg of caffeine and is often enjoyed in place of coffee. It has a sweet, earthy and heavily spiced flavor that comes from a blend of spices and typically, black tea. The spice combination can vary depending on where you get it or who makes it. But generally speaking, it’s a mix of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and even peppercorns.
Typically, made from scratch, it would be a blend of black tea, spices, milk and sweetener. But these days, you can buy Chai tea already blended with the spices. So again, it all depends on where you buy it. Each company will have a slightly different blend of spices as well.
Another option is making this tea with my personal favorite, Rooibos tea. I love it because it doesn’t give me the jitters that black tea gives me.
Rooibos (pronounced “Roy-Boss”) tea is naturally caffeine free. In fact, here’s a little info on this fabulous little plant:
Rooibos Leaf (Redbush)
Rooibos Leaf is a shrubby African legume that is a bedtime favorite among South African herbalists, consumers and even physicians. South Africans also use it to improve appetite, calm the digestive tract and reduce nervous tension. They regard it as safe enough to give infants. This sweet, relaxing tea enhances immune response, balances seasonal respiratory changes, balances blood sugar and blood fats and helps with heartburn. (Source)
MORE HOT DRINK RECIPES
CHAI LATTE TEA RECIPE:
Chai Latte Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups boiling water
- 2 tea bags Chai Rooibos
- 1 medium cinnamon stick
- 10 whole cloves
- ½ inch fresh ginger (peeled and sliced)
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tsp. honey (optional)
Instructions
- Place the tea bags, cinnamon stick, ginger and whole cloves in a glass measuring cup.
- Pour the boiling water into the same measuring cup.
- Allow to steep for at least 10-15 minutes. But for a truly strong and spicy flavor, you will want to let it steep much longer. Taste it every ten minutes to find out what strength you enjoy.
- If you want it sweet, add the sweetener and stir to dissolve.
- Add your milk.
Notes
Nutrition
Oh, yum! My sister is visiting in a few weeks, and she just LOVES Starbucks’ Chai Lattes. But she’s trying to clean up her diet, so I think she’s going to love this, too!
MMm. I like rooibos tea. The spices sound like a lovely touch, especially on a chilly day.
I Love chai’s!!! I can’t wait to try this 🙂
Would Dutch process cocoa powder be the Cleanest way to make this a Chocolate Chai Latte?
Try it blended, too–cool down the steeped tea, pour it in a blender, add the milk, toss in a few ice cubes, and blend it into a chai frappe’! Top with whipped cream (not the fakey frozen stuff) and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Mmmm… 🙂
Charlena – Yum!
Yes, I think cocoa powder would do the trick.
Nothing like a lovely mug of chai lattes, I don’t have it very often but when I do, its the best.
Anna – I would have to agree. Yummy!
Thanks for this! Chai Latte’s are my ultimate indulgence! I’m looking forward to trying this!
Jen – Great! Let me know how you like it!
Thanks for this recipe!
I always order Iced Chai Lattes when I get Starbucks (although, that is only a very rare occurance now). Do you think this would work over ice, or is it made to only be hot? I never make tea so I am clueless!
Kelly – You could make this cold, but the tea and spices need to steep in hot water. So you’d have to steep first, and then cool the tea down with ice or in the fridge overnight. I’m sure it would be quite good as a cold drink!
I’m enjoying this at my desk right this very minute. It’s fantastic.
Kristie – Fantastic! So glad you’re enjoying it! I love it too. Even in this heat, it’s darn yummy. I need to try it over ice next!
Thank you so much for this recipe, I’m excited to make it for some guests tonight! I’ve been searching for a while for a great “clean” chai latte. I get one maybe twice a year at Starbucks, but would definitely make it at home if I had a great recipe…now I do! Plus, 42g of sugar at Starbucks? Even more reason to make it at home. Thanks again!
Ali – You’re welcome! You might want to also add a few cardamom seeds. I didn’t put them in because I didn’t have any.
Hi Tiffany.
Thanks so much for this lovely recipe, being from South Africa, I enjoy Rooibos Tea every day, I use it in many recipes, and as iced tea it is amazing….
I am definitively going to make this tonight, when it is cooler.
Greetings : )
Renee – Fabulous! I’d love to know of any recipes you’ve used with this tea. It’s so amazing!
We love love loooooove this tea! My husband makes it everyday for us!
Janet – That’s fantastic! So happy you’re all enjoying it!
Once i had a Latte from Starbucks I thought….okay this is too sweet, but I loved them when i went to other restaurants. I brought some Chai tea bags, and used agave, and milk. It taste better then starbucks!
Michelle – Fantastic! 🙂
Diane – To the best of my knowledge, there is no clean sub for dry milk. Sorry!
Stephanie – Yes. 🙂
Jennifer – Sounds wonderful! Thanks!
Anita – I’m not sure because I haven’t tried it that way. But it can’t hurt to give it a shot!
Brkorn – Haha! Umm….. I think it was Target eons ago.
Cotton – Hope you enjoy it!
I don’t know. I’d have to see an ingredient list.
This sounds delicious, I am so looking forward to trying this I love chai tea!