I remember the first time I had a proper chai latte. I was visiting a friend in Darjeeling, India, and she made it from scratch. The aroma of the spices, the warmth of the milk, the slight bitterness of the tea—it was pure magic. From that day on, I was determined to recreate that experience at home. Trust me, once you start making your own, those expensive coffee shop versions just won’t cut it anymore. Forget the lines and the hefty price tags! Making your own chai latte at home is not only incredibly easy but also allows you to customize it to your exact liking. Whether you like it sweet, spicy, or extra frothy, this recipe will guide you through creating the perfect cup, every time. And hey, its okay if you burn the milk the first time. We've all been there!
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and flexibility. You don't need fancy equipment or exotic ingredients. Most of what you need is probably already in your pantry! And feel free to experiment with different spices and sweeteners to find your perfect blend. Want a stronger chai? Add more spices. Prefer a sweeter drink? Go ahead and add more honey. It's all about making it your own. One thing I will say is the process is really simple and easy that I sometimes like to make it a family event where everyone gets to choose their own spices and we all end up with different varieties of Chai Latte. It is a fun activity to do on cold winter evenings while huddling around a campfire and sharing stories. It's also fun when the dogs are barking and try to get the milk.
Required Equipments
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Mug or heat-safe glass
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
Easy Chai Latte Recipe: Frequently Asked Questions
Easy Chai Latte Recipe
Warm up with this easy chai latte recipe made from scratch! Simple ingredients, customizable flavors, and ready in minutes.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 1 servings
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Measure out 1 cup of water into a small saucepan.
- Add 2-3 green cardamom pods (lightly crushed), 3-4 whole cloves, a small cinnamon stick (about 1 inch), and 2-3 thin slices of fresh ginger to the saucepan. Don't worry if you don't have fresh ginger; a pinch of ground ginger will do!
- Bring the water and spices to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes to allow the spices to infuse into the water. You should start smelling the wonderful aroma of chai filling your kitchen.
- Pour in 1 cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy) into the saucepan. Also, add 1 black tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose leaf black tea. My grandmother always said the secret is a strong black tea.
- Gently heat the milk and tea mixture, being careful not to let it boil. Continue heating for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the tea to steep and the milk to warm through.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Take out the tea bag (or strain the loose tea) and remove the whole spices with a slotted spoon. Nobody likes biting into a clove!
- Add sweetener to taste. I usually add 1-2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup. But if you're feeling adventurous try brown sugar; it lends a caramel-like flavor to the chai!
- Whisk the chai latte to combine everything well and create a bit of froth on top. If you want it extra frothy, you can use a milk frother or even a regular whisk, going back and forth quickly.
- Pour your homemade chai latte into a mug or heat-safe glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a star anise for a little extra flair. And there you have it – a simple yet satisfying chai latte made right in your own kitchen!
📝 Notes
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 150 kcal
Protein: 8g
Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Calcium: 300mg
