This Iced Chai Latte Recipe is made with chai tea bags, milk and sweetener of your choice, ice, water and whipped cream.
This was one of my favorite drinks to get at Starbucks growing up. This can rack up your debts though, so in effort to minimize expenses, I decided to experiment and make it myself. It is absolutely delicious, light, and you can personalize it with your favorite milk or sweetener. This chai is brewed fresh. This drink is one of my favorite things to sip on during the summer when it’s hot out. If you prefer to make this hot, just don’t add ice. It is so good either way and you will love it. Chai means tea in Hindi, which is where this word same from. India came up with their own black tea, which we know as chai.
Chai Lattes are often served hot but can also be iced, making them a popular year-round beverage. They are often sweet and spicy with a creamy texture, making them a comforting and satisfying drink. Chai Lattes can be made at home using chai tea bags or loose tea leaves and milk. They can also be customized by adding additional spices or flavors like vanilla, caramel, or pumpkin spice.
There are many variations to this Chai Latte, the best part is you can make it exactly the way you like it. I have seen many people use different spices in the water when steeping the tea bags, like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and star anise. This recipe is all made from scratch and sweetened exactly the way you like it.
If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Cuban Coffee Recipe or my Nespresso Pumpkin Spice Latte.
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What is a Chai Latte?
A Chai Latte is a popular and flavorful drink that originated in India and has gained popularity worldwide. It typically consists of black tea, a blend of aromatic spices, sweetener, and steamed milk. The word "chai" actually means "tea" in Hindi, so when you say "chai tea," you're essentially saying "tea tea." In Western countries, it's common to refer to the spiced beverage as "chai" or "chai latte."
What does an iced chai latte have in it?
An Iced Chai Latte is a cool and invigorating beverage that blends the rich, spiced flavors of chai tea with the chill of ice. Typically made with chai concentrate or chai tea bags, the base is prepared by brewing a robust chai tea and allowing it to cool. This aromatic tea is then poured over a generous amount of ice in a glass. Cold milk or a milk alternative, such as almond or soy milk, is added to create a creamy texture. A touch of sweetener, often sugar or honey, enhances the overall flavor profile. The iced chai latte is stirred to ensure the ingredients are well-mingled, creating a harmonious fusion of bold spices, cold tea, and creamy milk. Garnishes like a sprinkle of cinnamon on top or a cinnamon stick for stirring add a final touch to this delightful and customizable beverage, perfect for those seeking a refreshing alternative to the warmth of a traditional chai latte.
Iced Chai Latte Recipe Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
- Water
- Chai Tea Bags
- Ice
- Milk, any kind
- Sweetener of your choice
- Whipped Cream
See recipe card for this Iced Chai Latte Starbucks Recipe.
How to Make a Better Cup of Iced Chai
In a tea kettle or pot, bring the water to a boil and turn off immediately. Place the tea bags in a mug and pour the hot water into the mug all the way. Steep for five minutes. Remove and discard tea bags.
Stir in your choice of sweetener until dissolved. Add in the refrigerator until cooled.
Fill a big glass with ice. Add milk.
Pour chai mixture over the milk and stir to combine. Top with whipped cream.
Hint: If you would like to add sweetener, add it into the chai when steeping. You can use stevia, sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Substitutions
Water: Use filtered water for this recipe.
Milk: I love using whole milk for this recipe, but you can use different levels of dairy. If you are vegan or prefer no dairy, try using oat milk, cashew milk or almond milk.
Chai: I used the chai tea bags from Tazo, but feel free to use any brand you prefer. I like to steep them overnight. You could even make a huge batch, keep in the refrigerator, and use that throughout the week.
Sweetener: This is totally optional, but if you would like to add sweetener, add it into the chai when steeping. You can use stevia, sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Chai Iced Latte Variations
There are many ways to customize a Chai Iced Latte to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas for Chai Iced Latte variations:
- Vanilla Chai Iced Latte: Add a splash of vanilla syrup to your Chai Iced Latte for a sweet and creamy flavor.
- Caramel Chai Iced Latte: Drizzle caramel syrup over your Chai Iced Latte for a rich and indulgent treat.
- Dirty Chai Iced Latte: Add a shot of espresso to your Chai Iced Latte for an extra kick of caffeine.
- Pumpkin Spice Chai Iced Latte: Add a pump of pumpkin spice syrup to your Chai Iced Latte for a cozy fall flavor.
- Coconut Chai Iced Latte: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk for a dairy-free and tropical twist on a Chai Iced Latte.
- Peppermint Chai Iced Latte: Add a splash of peppermint syrup to your Chai Iced Latte for a refreshing and minty flavor.
- Chai Iced Latte with Almond Milk: Use almond milk instead of regular milk for a dairy-free and nutty flavor.
Check out these Overnight Oats with Protein Powder.
Equipment
To make an iced chai latte, you will need the following equipment:
- Measuring cups and spoons: You will need measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure the ingredients.
- Ice: You will need plenty of ice to make your drink cold and refreshing.
- Tea Kettle or pot: You will need to boil water anyway to steep the chai tea bags.
Storage
If you have leftover chai iced latte, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Simply pour the remaining chai latte into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to enjoy it again, give it a good stir and add more ice if needed.
However, it's worth noting that iced chai lattes are best enjoyed fresh. The ice will start to melt and dilute the flavors as it sits, so it's best to consume it as soon as possible. If you're making a large batch, it's better to make it fresh in smaller portions as needed.
Iced Chai Latte Top tips
Here are some tips to make a delicious iced chai latte:
- Brew strong tea: Chai tea can be quite mild, so make sure to brew it strong to get the maximum flavor. Use two tea bags or double the amount of loose tea to get a strong brew.
- Use cold milk: To keep your iced chai latte chilled, use cold milk straight from the fridge. It will also help to cool down the tea quickly.
- Sweeten to taste: Chai lattes are traditionally sweetened with honey or sugar, but you can use any sweetener you prefer. Start with a small amount and add more as needed until it's to your liking.
- Add spices: If you want to give your iced chai latte an extra flavor boost, try adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices to your drink.
Starbucks Iced Chai Latte Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
This Iced Chai Latte Starbucks Recipe is made with chai tea bags, milk and sweetener of your choice, ice, water and whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 chai tea bags
- 1 ½ cup ice
- ¾ cup milk any percentage
- Sweetener of your choice, like honey, sugar, stevia, or maple syrup
- Whipped cream optional for topping
Instructions
- In a tea kettle or pot, bring the water to a boil and turn off immediately. Place the tea bags in a mug and pour the hot water into the mug all the way. Steep for five minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Stir in your choice of sweetener until dissolved. Add in the refrigerator until cooled.
- Fill a big glass with ice. Add milk.
- Pour chai mixture over the milk and stir to combine. Top with whipped cream.
Notes
Brew strong tea: Chai tea can be quite mild, so make sure to brew it strong to get the maximum flavor. Use two tea bags or double the amount of loose tea to get a strong brew.
Use cold milk: To keep your iced chai latte chilled, use cold milk straight from the fridge. It will also help to cool down the tea quickly.
Sweeten to taste: Chai lattes are traditionally sweetened with honey or sugar, but you can use any sweetener you prefer. Start with a small amount and add more as needed until it's to your liking.
Add spices: If you want to give your iced chai latte an extra flavor boost, try adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices to your drink.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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