A chai tea latte isn’t just a drink. It’s an experience! An indulgent blend of robust black tea, exotic spices and creamy steamed milk, it’s the ultimate in fall coziness and comfort.
Now you can enjoy this coffee house favorite in the comfort of your own home with this chai latte recipe.
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.
When I do go out for a chai latte, my favorite is the one at Dunkin Donuts. It’s delicious, uncomplicated and so much less expensive than the Starbucks version.
This Dunkin Donuts chai latte recipe is the best at-home copycat recipe there is!
What is a Chai Tea Latte?
A chai tea latte is a warm, comforting beverage that blends traditional Indian spices with the familiar flavors 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, ginger, cloves, and black pepper.
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 combination of tea, spices, and milk creates a beverage that is both aromatic and soothing, making it a perfect choice for a chilly day or as a comforting treat anytime.
What you’ll need to make this Chai Latte Recipe
We’re making a homemade chai syrup for this bev, just like they do at Dunkin. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 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 type of milk can be used, from skim milk all the way through whole milk. Plant-based milks can also be used. Go with your own preference.
- Vanilla extract
How to Make a Chai Tea Latte
Make the Chai Syrup
Making simple syrup is – well – simple. Start by dissolving the sugar in boiling water. Then, infuse the syrup with any flavors you want.
Here, we’re going to steep our chai tea bags in the simple syrup to infuse it with exotic flavors. If you’ve got loose 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 maker 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 syrup into the steamed milk gently, taking care not to disrupt the frothy top. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and enjoy!
What to Serve with a Chai Latte
This Dunkin Donuts chai latte recipe pairs beautifully with so many treats, both sweet and savory. Here are some ideas:
- Biscuits or Cookies: The mild sweetness of biscuits or cookies complements the spiciness of chai beautifully.
- Pastries: Pair your latte with a flaky croissant or a warm, freshly baked pastry for a delicious breakfast or snack.
- Samosas: For a savory pairing, enjoy your chai with crispy samosas or other Indian snacks.
- Chocolate: Chai’s warm spices pair surprisingly well with chocolate. Even a small piece of chocolate is such a decadent pairing for your chai latte.
- Fruit: The refreshing contrast of fruit, like sliced apples or pears, can balance the richness of the chai latte.
Variations on this Chai Tea Latte Recipe
There are so many fun twists on this Dunkin chai latte! Try these customizations:
- 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.
- Iced Chai Tea Latte: In warmer weather, try an iced version of the chai tea latte. Make the chai syrup, let it cool, and pour it over ice cubes. Then add cold milk for a refreshing twist.
- 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.
- Vegan Chai Latte: For a vegan-friendly version, simply replace dairy milk with a plant-based alternative like almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.
Is this Chai Latte recipe healthy?
Dunkin’ Donuts chai lattes aren’t exactly healthy, but you can modify this recipe to make it less damaging to your diet.
According to 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 syrup left over after making these lattes, here are some ways to put it to good use:
- 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.
- Iced Beverages: Chai simple syrup is a game-changer for iced beverages. Stir it into iced coffee, iced tea, or lemonade to give your drinks a spicy kick and a touch of sweetness.
- 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.
- Yogurt and Oatmeal: Add depth to your morning yogurt or oatmeal by drizzling a bit of chai simple syrup on top.
- 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:
Chai Tea Latte Recipe (Just like Dunkin Donuts)
Ingredients
- 10 oz. milk
- 8 Tbsp. chai tea 4-8 sachets
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the Chai Tea Syrup
- Place one cup of water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat.
- Stir the tea bags and vanilla into the saucepan. (Alternatively, measure loose tea into a sachet and drop it into the water). Steep for 15 minutes. Squeeze out the tea bags into the mixture and discard.
- Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Make the Latte
- Steam and froth the milk. Stir in 5 Tbsp. of chai tea syrup. Garnish with ground cinnamon, whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, if desired.
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