A Starbucks chai latte is a favorite drink for many people who buy it once a week or even more. This Starbucks chai latte recipe is a great sign to stop overpaying for a Starbucks drink and start making a homemade chai latte at home.
Simple ingredients and chai tea concentrate make this chai recipe quick and easy to prepare. The tastes are very close to Starbucks chai, making every chai latte rich and smooth. Both a warm hot chai latte and a cool iced chai latte are simple to make.
After trying many chai lattes, the best version was found by making at home an own chai latte, and pinky promise, it is worth every sip. This Starbucks chai latte recipe helps you enjoy a smooth, spicy, and delicious chai drink anytime.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make a Starbucks Chai Latte
1. Chai Concentrate
A good Chai Concentrate gives your drink a rich chai flavor and helps you create a starbucks chai latte recipe at home. Oregon Chai Extra Spicy Super Concentrate is one of the closest to Starbucks choices.
This super concentrate has a bold spiced chai taste and mimics the Starbucks chai concentrate very well. Oregon Chai makes a smooth concentrated mixture with deep flavor. When using other chai concentrates, check the container for the recommended ratio.
The right concentrate to milk ratio, milk ratio, and ratio help mix the chai concentrate with milk. A more concentrated concentrate makes a stronger spicy chai drink and a rich cup of chai. Other chai concentrate runner-ups include:
- Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai Black Tea Concentrate has a rich chai flavor. It is a close second.
- Tazo Classic Chai Latte Concentrate makes a smooth and creamy chai latte.
- Tazo Tea Organic Chai Concentrate uses organic chai spices for a bold flavor.
- Oregon Chai Original Chai Concentrate has a classic chai taste and a creamy flavor.
2. Milk
Starbucks uses 2% milk in its standard recipe for a Starbucks chai latte. Oat milk gives a smooth creamy texture and is a great milk choice. Any milk option works well in this recipe.
Dairy milk makes a rich latte, while non-dairy milk creates a lighter drink. Choose your preferred milk to make this tasty beverage just the way you like. This simple recipe is perfect for homemade chai lattes.
- My favorite oat milk options are Oatly Barista Edition Oat Milk.
- Chobani Extra Creamy Oat Milk is another great choice.
- Mooala Organic Barista Oat Milk is also a favorite.
- These barista-style oat milks make coffee smooth and creamy.
- They mix well in lattes and espresso drinks.
3. Ice
A good recipe uses ice cubes to make an iced chai latte. The starbucks chai recipe can also be used to create a smooth cold drink and a refreshing beverage.
The frozen cubes keep the drink cool and add cooling refreshment. Many people like to serve cold on warm days for the best flavor. A hot chai latte needs no Ice and becomes the hot version instead. Both styles are simple to make and enjoy.
How To Steam Milk For a Hot Chai Latte
All hot lattes use steamed milk. To make steamed milk at home, you can use these easy methods:
1. Steam Wand
A Steam Wand on an espresso machine can help steam milk with ease. A Milk Steaming Video Tutorial can show each step. Pour milk into a milk frothing pitcher or frothing pitcher.
Insert the tip of the steam wand into the milk. Let air bubbles, heat, and steam create a smooth texture. Keep steaming until the steamed milk looks velvety and perfect.
This simple milk steaming method works well at home and can help you create a drink similar to a starbucks chai latte recipe. Years of making chai lattes have shown that this step gives a rich and creamy taste every time.
2. Electric Milk Frother
An Electric Milk Frother makes this starbucks chai latte recipe easy. Add milk to the electric frother and use the hot setting. It will heat the milk into smooth heated milk and rich hot milk with thick foam, soft milk foam, and froth.
The frothed milk has a creamy texture and light foamy texture. The texture is close to a steam wand on an espresso machine with a similar texture. This coffee equipment is great for steaming, steamed milk, foam, milk heating, and frothing. Add espresso if you like. It is pleasant for every home barista.
3. Handheld Milk Frother
A Handheld Milk Frother makes a hot latte rich and smooth. Pour cold milk into a large coffee mug or coffee mug. Use a microwave for 60 seconds. You can also use a pot on the stove to heat the warm milk. Stir well so it does not burn.
Next, insert the frother into the milk mixture and froth until it doubles in size. The milk will look bubbly, frothy, and full of milk foam. This simple step always gives my chai latte starbucks recipe a soft and creamy steamed milk finish.
Check out our guide to the Best Starbucks Coffee Beans to find the perfect roast for your next homemade cup of coffee.
How To Make a Hot Chai Latte At Home
- Steam the milk with a steam wand, Aeroccino, or microwave it for 60 seconds. Froth the milk with a handheld milk frother until it is foamy.
- Optional: Warm the chai concentrate in a mug for 30 seconds.
- Pour the chai concentrate into a cup. Add the steamed milk and stir well.
- Optional: Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top. Serve and enjoy.
Popular Toppings and Additions
Top your chai latte with whipped cream. It adds creaminess and sweetness. Add brown sugar syrup. It gives your chai latte a rich, warm taste. It also goes well with chai spices.
Add one or two shots of espresso. This makes a dirty chai latte. It adds more caffeine and a bold coffee flavor.
Make a chai frappuccino. Blend the iced chai latte with 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Add cold foam on top. Mix 1 tablespoon syrup, 2 tablespoons milk, and 3 tablespoons heavy cream. Froth the mix with a handheld milk frother.
Pour the cold foam over the chai latte. Use vanilla syrup for vanilla cold foam. Use pumpkin syrup for pumpkin cold foam.
How Can I Make This Lower Sugar?
- For a low sugar or sugar-free chai latte at home:
- Use a low sugar or zero sugar chai concentrate.
- Steep chai tea bags in hot water.
- Add a low-calorie sweetener or a sugar substitute.
- Use unsweetened almond milk.
- Pick a lower sugar chai latte mix, like Kola Goodies.
What Ratios Does Starbucks Use?
Iced Chai Latte
| Ingredient | Tall (12 oz) | Grande (16 oz) | Venti (20 oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chai Concentrate | 3 pumps | 4 pumps | 6 pumps |
| Milk | 6 oz | 8 oz | 11 oz |
Hot Chai Latte
| Size | Chai Concentrate | Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Short | 2 pumps | 4 oz |
| Tall | 3 pumps | 6 oz |
| Grande | 4 pumps | 8 oz |
| Venti | 6 pumps | 12 oz |
Various Chai Latte Methods
A chai latte Starbucks recipe is easy to make at home and helps save your budget. The Starbucks method uses super chai concentrate with milk. Add a few pumps of chai concentrate to the milk and stir well.
This chai latte making method makes a smooth Starbucks-style chai latte. You can also try different methods with tea concentrate to match your taste preference.
A homemade chai latte lets you change the ingredients and choose the brewing method or preparation method that works best.
This chai latte recipe creates a rich chai latte that is a tasty beverage, a comforting drink, and a creamy milk-based drink.
1. Super Chai Concentrate + Milk
Add 4 pumps of chai concentrate to 8 ounces of milk. Use cold milk for an iced chai latte. Use steamed milk for a hot chai latte. Add ice to the iced drink. Stir well. Enjoy your smooth, creamy, and spiced chai latte.
2. Regular Chai Concentrate + Milk
Pour equal parts chai concentrate and milk into a cup. Use cold milk for an iced chai latte. Use steamed milk for a hot chai latte. Add ice to the iced drink. Stir well and enjoy your creamy, smooth, spiced chai.
3. Chai Tea Bags + Milk
Steep 2 chai tea bags in 4 ounces of hot water for 30 minutes. This makes a strong chai concentrate. Squeeze the tea bags to get all the flavor. Throw the tea bags away.
Add your favorite sweetener, like sugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, stevia, or vanilla syrup. Pour in 4 ounces of milk. Stir well. Enjoy your homemade chai tea latte.
4. Chai Tea Latte Mix + Hot Water
Put the chai tea latte mix into a cup. Add 8 ounces of hot water. Stir well. Let it steep for 5 minutes. Stir again. Strain the drink to remove the powder. Your chai tea latte is ready.
This method is quick and easy. It works well with water only. It makes a smooth chai tea latte with warm spices. Kola Goodies Masala Chai Latte Mix is a tasty choice. You can also use your favorite chai latte mix.
5. Homemade Chai Mix
You can make your own homemade chai mix at home. Add your favorite spices, sweetness, and flavors to create your perfect chai blend.
This mix also helps you make a delicious chai latte Starbucks recipe style drink. Many easy chai recipes and simple guides can help you make your own mix.