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When I worked as a barista in college, chai lattes were one of the easiest drinks to make. All they require is steamed milk and some chai concentrate from a box.

I remember that box could sit on the counter for weeks without spoiling! (Likely because sugar is a preservative and the concentrate contains plenty of it.)

Luckily, it’s just as easy to make a chai latte at home. With this easy recipe, you’ll be sipping a drink that tastes like it came from a coffee shop, without the refined sugar or hefty price tag.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review

“This is the best Chai Latte I have ever had… fantastic!” – Candace

homemade chai latte in a mug with cinnamon sticks on a plate.

Armed with black tea bags, your favorite milk, and a few pantry spices, you can make a homemade chai latte that tastes better than one you’d buy at a coffee shop. I originally posted this recipe over six years ago, but I recently revisited it to ensure the method is as foolproof as possible.

Here’s what I tried, in case you’re curious:

  • Test Round 1: Add 2 cups of milk and spices to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Then, remove it from the heat and add two tea bags, letting them steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags, then sweeten with two tablespoons of maple syrup and serve. (Result: This is easy, because only one pot gets dirty, but I don’t feel like the tea steeps quite as well in milk. Also, I would prefer more liquid to get two larger servings.)
  • Test Round 2: Increased the milk to 2 1/2 cups for a more suitable serving size, and adjusted the spices and sweetener accordingly. Because I’m using more spices, I realize that I should probably strain them out when serving, so there’s not too much residue on the bottom of the mug. This feels like an “ah-ha” moment! (Result: I really love the straining idea. The spice level and serving amount are better. You could probably use 3 cups of milk, but I don’t want to use more maple syrup, so I’m keeping the servings smaller so the flavor doesn’t get diluted.)
  • Test Round 3: Brew 2 tea bags in 1 cup of water in a mug. While you wait, add 1 1/2 cups of milk and the spices to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove the tea bags from the mug and pour the hot tea into the saucepan with the milk and spices. Sweeten with 3 tablespoons of maple syrup and serve through a strainer into the mugs. (Result: This option definitely looks and tastes more like classic chai, probably because it’s less milky. I prefer this method, but I realize it does involve boiling water, which might be a pain to some. I use an electric tea kettle most days, so it feels easy to me.)
  • Test Rounds 4-5: At this point, I’m happy with the method from the previous two rounds. These extra test rounds are used to determine the optimal spice level. I tried adding a 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves and cardamom in round 4, and I initially found this too spicy. However, as I kept sipping, I grew to like it better. In round 5, I decided to reduce the cloves and cardamom, which I prefer. If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can also add a pinch of black pepper or salt to enhance the taste further.

I share these test rounds in case you’ve considered one of these ideas, too. It’s easy to customize as needed!

steeping tea bags in a pot of milk or a cup of hot water.

What is in a Chai Latte?

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Black tea. You do not use chai tea bags to make chai lattes. Instead, chai relies on regular black tea. Assam is the most common variety used, but any black tea will work, like Darjeeling, English Breakfast, or even Earl Grey.
  • Milk. Any variety of milk will work in this recipe. I use almond milk to keep it dairy-free, but any option you usually keep on hand should work.
  • Spices. While traditional recipes rely on simmering whole spices, I assume that we don’t all keep whole cloves and cardamom pods in our pantries. That’s why this recipe calls for ground spices. You can easily strain them out as you pour the mixture into your mug.
  • Maple syrup. This natural sweetener has a flavor that pairs well with chai spices. If you’d rather use honey, I’d start with a little less, since it’s sweeter and can overpower the other spices.
milk, tea bags, maple syrup and spices labeled on a white surface.

How to Make Chai Tea Latte

Step 1:

Pour 1 cup of boiled water into a mug and add the two tea bags. Let them steep for 3-5 minutes.

While you wait, add the milk and spices to a small saucepan. Bring the milk to a boil over high heat. As soon as it starts to boil around the edges of the pan, whisk well to mix the spices, then remove the milk from the heat.

tea brewing in water and milk with spices in a saucepan.

Step 2:

Remove the tea bags from the water and pour the brewed tea into the pan of hot milk. Add the maple syrup and stir well.

Carefully taste the mixture and make any adjustments, as needed. You can add a pinch of salt to boost the flavor, or a little more maple syrup for a sweeter taste.

tea poured into saucepan and whisked with maple syrup.

Step 3:

Pour the chai lattes through a fine mesh strainer as you pour them into mugs for serving. The strainer will catch excess spices, so there won’t be much sediment at the bottom of your mug.

(If you don’t have a strainer, that’s okay! The spices settle on the bottom of the mug, so you won’t notice them as you sip until the very end.)

fine mesh strainer used to catch extra chai spices above a mug.

Enjoy your homemade chai latte right away for the best flavor. Since this recipe makes two servings, you can share with someone or save the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

It can be enjoyed over ice the next day or reheated for a cozy drink again.

Iced Variation

If you prefer cold drinks, try my iced chai latte recipe, which creates a concentrate that you can pour over cold milk and ice. It’s an easy make-ahead option!

    Chai Tea Latte Recipe FAQs

    What does a chai latte taste like?

    Chai has a sweet and spicy flavor that feels like a hug in a mug. It has a comforting taste, similar to the spices in apple cider, but without the fruity aspect.

    Does chai have caffeine?

    Yes, chai made with black tea does contain caffeine. You can make it with decaf tea bags or omit the tea bags altogether for a non-caffeinated version.

    What’s the best time to drink chai?

    Because chai contains caffeine, it’s best to drink it when you would drink any other caffeinated beverage. (Probably not after 3 pm, in my case. Caffeine keeps me awake if I drink it too late!)

    homemade chai latte in a mug with cinnamon sticks on a plate.

    Easy Chai Latte Recipe

    4.86 from 83 votes
    You’ll love this chai latte without refined sugar. It tastes better than the kind you’d buy at Starbucks, using simple pantry ingredients.
    prep2 mins cook3 mins total5 mins
    Servings:2

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 black tea bags (see notes)
    • 1 ½ cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon , or to taste
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • teaspoon ground cloves
    • teaspoon ground cardamom
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)

    Instructions

    • Place the two tea bags in a heat-safe mug and pour 1 cup of boiled water over them. Let them steep for 3 to 5 minutes while you proceed with the next step.
    • Pour the almond milk into a small saucepan and add the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamom. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, whisking often. When the milk around the edges of the pan starts to bubble, turn off the heat.
    • Remove the tea bags and pour the brewed tea into the saucepan with the milk and spices. Add the maple syrup and whisk until well combined. Carefully taste test the latte (it's hot!) and make any adjustments you see fit. You can add more maple syrup for a sweeter flavor or an extra pinch of cloves for more spice.
    • Use a fine-mesh strainer to catch any excess spices as you pour the chai latte into two mugs. Serve warm right away. I think this has the best flavor when it's not piping hot, so it's okay if it cools down slightly!

    Notes

    Nutrition information is for half the batch. This information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, so it’s just an estimate, not a guarantee. 
    Black Tea Note: Chai lattes are typically made with Assam tea, but Darjeeling, English Breakfast, or Earl Grey tea can also be used. I don’t recommend using chai tea bags, or the tea will taste too spicy with the other added spices. 
    Update Note: This recipe was updated in June 2025 because, after years of making this, I’ve found that I prefer brewing the tea in hot water rather than directly in hot milk. The batch size was also increased slightly.  If you prefer the original version, you can find it here

    Nutrition

    Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 328mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Calcium: 340mg
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: dairy free
    Keyword: chai latte

    More Recipes to Try

    If you try this Chai tea latte recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like it.

    Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

    Megan Gilmore

    Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. As a Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), I love to make healthier food using simple ingredients. I test these recipes multiple times in my kitchen to make sure they will turn out perfectly for you.

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    Comments

    1. This was so good! I used oat milk and a decaf black tea bag. I did cut the maple syrup down by a tablespoon just because I’m trying to cut down on sweets. Thank you for posting such a great recipe. I’m always looking for recipes to make my favorite things instead of buying the prepackaged things.

    2. Absolutely delicious! I used a black tea and replaced the maple syrup with dates and it came out perfect! Thank you for another great recipe!

    3. This is so nice! I made it without the tea because black tea upsets my stomach. I’ve been looking for a recipe that would be easy on my stomach but still give the warm, spice of a chai tea! Thanks!

    4. To anyone reading this, It actually works. I was a bit sceptical, because it seemed way too simple – but I even managed to get it right with cows milk and sugar. NGL – As a student I was traumatised by the price of ground cloves, but I am absolutely chuffed with the result. Thanks Megan!

    5. Wow! I love this. I have a lot of intolerances and this with almond milk and decaf tea bags on a night time allows me to still have a wind down hot bev. Thank you 😊

    6. Like a hug in a mug. Listening to worship music while sipping on a slow, winter morning 🙂

    7. I have just started watching your channel. You have so many wonderful ideas and things I never thought of before. Thank you for being there for those of us new to keto. God Bless you.

    8. A++++ This is so good. I don’t like anything too sweet so I used just 1 tsp maple syrup with whole raw milk. This recipe has just the right amount of spice, it’s warm, cozy and soo delicious. It is a healthy way to have a cup of protein rich warm milk on a cool day or right before bed on a cold night.
      Thank you for sharing this recipe.