A hot homemade chai tea latte really hits the spot in cooler months (and it’s fantastic over ice in the warmer months!)

To celebrate the warm, earthy yumminess of fall, here’s my homemade chai tea latte recipe. It’s also great on its own without the tea to make a warming caffeine-free drink.

This homemade chai tea latte tastes just like the one at Starbucks, but it’s WAY healthier. Plus, you get to control the amount of sugar in it and the quality of ingredients.

It’s easier than you’d think. Warm almond or soy milk and water with cardamom, cinnamon, fresh ginger, star anise and a splash of vanilla for about 7 minutes, then steep black tea in it for 5 minutes. Strain it into two mugs, sweeten it with a little honey or coconut sugar, and you’ve got two chai lattes in about 20 minutes.

All of the flavor comes from real spices, so you know exactly what’s in your mug.

The Spices in Homemade Chai

Chai is just black tea simmered with warm spices and milk, and you probably have most of what you need already. Cardamom is the star here. I use ground cardamom, or you can crack open 8 green cardamom pods. Cinnamon and freshly grated ginger add warmth, and star anise gives it that classic licorice note. If you don’t have star anise, a large pinch of fennel seeds does the same job. Vanilla isn’t traditional, but it’s lovely, so I always add a little.

Since you’re making it yourself, you decide how sweet it is. I start with a tablespoon of raw honey (or 2 teaspoons of coconut sugar) for both mugs and adjust from there.

How to Make an Iced Chai Latte

Make the chai exactly the same way, let it cool to room temperature, then pour it over a tall glass of ice. You can also make it ahead and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours, which makes iced chai even easier.

Chai Tea Latte FAQs

Does chai tea have caffeine?

It does, because it’s made with black tea. To make a caffeine-free version, leave the tea out. It’s technically more of a chai-spiced almond milk at that point, and it’s still delicious.

Can I make a chai tea latte with tea bags?

Absolutely. Simmer the spices first, strain the mixture into two mugs, then steep one black tea bag in each mug for 5 minutes. If you’re using loose leaf tea, add it to the pot instead and strain everything at the end.

Can I use regular milk?

Any milk works here. I use unsweetened almond or soy milk, but dairy milk or oat milk makes a creamy chai latte too. If you’d like to make your own, here’s my homemade almond milk recipe.

How long does homemade chai keep?

Up to 24 hours, covered, in the refrigerator. Warm it gently on the stove or serve it over ice.

On really cold days, my Golden Milk (Turmeric Latte) and Healthy Hot Chocolate are just as cozy.

Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe (Like Starbucks)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

• Author: Elizabeth Rider
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Simmer, Steep
• Cuisine: Indian American Inspired

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

This comforting chai tea latte is made with real spices, black tea and almond milk. Play with the amounts of each ingredient to make it your own.

---

Ingredients

Units USM

• 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) unsweetened almond or soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)
• 8 ounces (1 cup) filtered water
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (or 8 green cardamom pods, cracked open)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
• 2 star anise pods, OR 1 large pinch of whole fennel seeds for a slightly anise flavor
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (not traditional, but lovely)
• 1 tea bag of black tea, OR, 1 tablespoon black tea leaves

Optional sweeteners (choose 1):

• 1 tablespoon raw honey, OR
• 2 teaspoons coconut sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

Recipe:

1. Combine all of the ingredients except the black tea and sweetener in a small pot over medium heat and whisk to combine. Heat over medium-low heat for about 7 minutes, until the flavors have come together.
   1. If using loose leaf tea, add it now and let it steep for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into 2 mugs.
   2. If using tea bags, first strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into 2 mugs. Add 1 tea bag to each mug and let steep for 5 minutes in the strained chai mixture, then remove the tea bags.
2. Serve immediately or allow to come to room temperature and store (covered) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Sweeten to taste.

---

Notes

To keep this caffeine-free, omit the tea bags. It won’t technically be chai tea, but more like chai-flavored almond milk (still delicious!)