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About this recipe
Refreshing iced chai tea latte is an easy and delicious drink made with just three simple ingredients - chai concentrate, milk, and ice cubes. This Starbucks copycat recipe has warming flavors from the concentrate. Starbucks chai latte is a delicious change from your regular iced coffee.
It is the perfect drink to cool you down, yet give you the perfect balance of warm flavors from the spices. And if you use homemade concentrate, it will not only be budget-friendly, it will help you control what spices you want to use and how much sweetness the drink will have. Win-win!
Making your own homemade chai concentrate is incredibly easy and a great way to adjust the taste to your liking. I am using a homemade version of chai concentrate in this recipe. However, you can use Tazo chai concentrate for this recipe which is easily available in any grocery store. The concentrate itself can be used in so many ways, including homemade chai latte. Check out some ideas on how to use homemade chai tea concentrate here.
Don't line up at Starbucks or your favorite coffee shop anymore. Make your own Starbucks iced chai tea latte and get your chai fix without stepping out of the comforts of your home on hot days with this easy recipe, and that too at fraction of the price.
What is chai?
The word chai means tea and originates from India. Masala chai is spiced tea made with black tea (Assam tea) and whole spices. It is popular in the US as chai tea latte (which actually means tea tea latte!)
The chai spices used can be customized to your personal preference. I use ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, fennel seeds, and black peppercorns to make my masala chai.
Ingredients
Chai concentrate: You can either make your own chai concentrate or use Tazo classic chai latte concentrate. Tazo concentrate tastes very similar to Starbucks chai concentrate.
Milk: Use 2% milk for that copycat Starbucks taste. Use whole milk for a creamy taste.
Ice cubes: Use as few or as many as you like.
Step-by-step instructions
Pour the ice cubes into a serving glass.
Top with black tea concentrate.
Add cold milk and give it a quick stir. Serve immediately.
Related: Mango juice.
Useful tips
It is best to make this iced latte when you are ready to drink. Making it ahead of time will melt the ice and dilute the tea.
Freeze some chai concentrate in ice cube trays and use chai ice cubes instead of plain ice for an added kick. This is particularly important if you want to make this drink ahead of time as it will prevent it from getting diluted and give you that strong chai flavor.
Adjust the amount of milk used. For a stronger chai flavor, use more concentrate and for a subtle flavor, use more milk. Similarly, change the type of milk as per your preference. My milk of choice to make it vegan is oat milk.
Chai concentrate is already sweetened so there is no need to add any sweetener. However, if you want it sweeter, add more sweeteners of your choice. You can use brown sugar, maple syrup, or even simple syrup.
Make it a warm drink by skipping ice and using warm milk and concentrate.
Chai tea bags can also be used for this latte recipe. Brew the tea bag in hot water and bring it to room temperature before using it to make this iced drink.
You can top this cold latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon or vanilla extract for added taste. You can also top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped heavy cream for an indulgent cold drink.
FAQs
Chai concentrate is black tea (like Assam tea) brewed with warm spices and sweeteners. It has many health benefits from warm spices. While chai concentrates are easily available in stores, it is very easy to make chai concentrate at home. The homemade version helps you control what spices you want to use and also the amount and type of sweetener you want to use.
Most kinds of milk work for this recipe. Dairy milk gives it a creamy taste; however, you can use any kind of milk that is dairy-free to make vegan iced chai. Plant-based milk like oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, and almond milk works really well for this recipe.
Yes. Chai is made with black tea leaves which have caffeine. An 8 oz cup of black tea has 47 mg of caffeine.
Add a shot of espresso to this drink to make a dirty chai latte.
Bonus
This iced chai tea latte is:
- made with just 3 ingredients,
- so quick and easy,
- probably the easiest way to get your caffeine fix.
Recipe card
Iced Chai Tea Latte
Ingredients
- ½ cup chai concentrate
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Pour the ice cubes into a serving glass.
- Top with chai concentrate and milk.
- Serve immediately.
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