Chai Tea Latte Recipe (Just Like Dunkin Donuts!) 

A chai tea latte isn’t just a drink. It’s an experience!

Now you can enjoy this coffee shop favorite in the comfort of your own home with this chai latte recipe. No special brewing equipment required! 

My love for chai runs deep. When the weather turns crisp, I’ll infuse the warm flavors of chai spices into just about anything I can find, from creme brulee to burnt basque cheesecake. During the cold months, chai tea is a regular afternoon warm-up for many members of our family. 

And I love being my own barista with this homemade version of my favorite Dunkin chai latte. 

What is a Chai Tea Latte? 

A chai tea latte is a warm, comforting beverage that blends traditional Indian spices with the creaminess of a latte. 

The base is black tea that’s infused with a mix of spices. The most common spices used in chai are cinnamon, cardamom pods, ginger, cloves and black peppercorns. 

The “latte” part of the name refers to the steamed milk that adds a creamy texture and mellows the boldness of the tea and spices. 

This sweetened blend of chai spices with milk creates a beverage that’s both aromatic and soothing, making it a perfect choice for a chilly day. 

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make a homemade chai latte: 

• Chai tea bags. One bag of tea usually has about 1 tablespoon of tea leaves. If you’re using loose tea leaves, you’ll need 8 tablespoons. 
• Sugar
• Milk. Any kind of milk can be used, from skim milk all the way through whole milk. Plant-based milks can also be used. 
• Vanilla extract

How to Make a Chai Tea Latte

Make the Chai Concentrate

Chai tea concentrate is basically a simple syrup that’s been infused with chai spices. Instead of cooking down individual chai spices and black tea, we’re taking a shortcut and using chai tea bags that you can find at any grocery store. 

Making simple syrup is – well – simple. Start by dissolving the sugar in hot water. 

Then, steep your chai tea bags in the simple syrup to infuse it with those natural flavors. If you’ve got loose leaf tea, simply spoon it into a sachet and let it steep in the water. 

Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, and then store it in an airtight container or sealed mason jar in the refrigerator. 

Steam the Milk

If you have an espresso machine with a milk frother attachment, you can use it to steam the cold milk.

Place the frother attachment just underneath the surface of the milk without going too deep. When the cup of milk becomes almost too hot to handle, you’ll know that it’s ready.

You can also steam the milk in a small saucepan on the stove, watching it carefully so that it doesn’t boil over and scorch. The microwave also works! 

You can then use a handheld frother to make it thicker and creamier. 

Create the Latte

Stir the chai tea extract into the hot milk gently, taking care not to disrupt the frothy top. Garnish with a little cinnamon and star anise on top and enjoy! 

Variations on this Recipe

There are so many fun twists on this chai latte! Try these customizations:

1. Dirty Chai Latte: For an extra caffeine kick, add a shot of espresso to your chai tea latte. The combination of tea and coffee is perfect for those who crave both flavors.
2. Iced Chai Latte: In warmer weather, try an iced latte! Make the chai syrup, let it cool, and pour it over ice cubes. Then add cold milk for a refreshing twist.
3. Chai Tea Latte with Honey: Swap out the sugar for honey in the chai syrup. Honey pairs well with the spices in chai. Along those lines, maple syrup is also a nice idea. 
4. Vegan Chai Latte: For a vegan-friendly version, simply replace dairy milk with a non-dairy milk alternative like almond milk, soy milk, oat milk or coconut milk.

Is a chai latte healthy? 

Chai lattes aren’t exactly healthy, but you can modify this recipe to make it less damaging to your diet. 

According to the ingredient information on the Dunkin Donuts website, a 10-ounce hot chai latte has 200 calories and 6g of fat. If you substitute nonfat milk for the whole milk, you’ll save yourself 50 calories and all of the fat. 

Also, according to their website, a 10-ounce hot chai latte has 27 grams of sugar. If you use a sugar substitute like stevia, you can reduce that number by a significant amount. 

And it’s not all bad! The spices in chai, like ginger and cinnamon, are known for their anti-inflammatory health benefits and antioxidant properties. Black tea also contains antioxidants, which can be valuable in boosting immunity, especially during cold and flu season. 

Black tea also has about 50 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving as compared to about 95 mg of caffeine in the same amount of coffee, making it a decent substitute for coffee when you need an afternoon pick-me-up. 

Other ways to use homemade chai syrup

If you have any chai concentrate left over after making lattes, here are some ways to put it to good use:

1. Cocktails: Chai simple syrup pairs beautifully with spirits like rum, whiskey or vodka. Try it in a Chai Old Fashioned, Chai Martini, or a spiced twist on your favorite classic cocktail.
2. Iced Beverages: Chai simple syrup is a game-changer for iced beverages. Stir it into iced coffee and iced tea to give your drinks a spicy kick and a touch of sweetness.
3. Desserts: Drizzle chai simple syrup over cakes, pancakes, waffles, or ice cream. It’s also a delicious glaze for baked goods like muffins and scones.
4. Yogurt and Oatmeal: Add depth to your morning yogurt or oatmeal by drizzling a bit of chai simple syrup on top.
5. Baking: Get creative in the kitchen by using chai simple syrup in your baking recipes. It can enhance the flavor of cookies, muffins, and bread, giving your treats a unique twist.

When you make this chai tea latte recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more coffee house recipes, try these:

• Dunkin Donuts Matcha Latte Copycat Recipe
• Irish Cream Breve
• Iced Mocha Macchiato (Starbucks Copycat)