This Vanilla Chai Latte has been my go-to morning drink ever since I cut back on coffee almost two years ago. I wanted something warm and comforting that still had a little caffeine without leaving me feeling jittery, and this recipe nails it every time. Spiced chai tea bags, frothed whole milk, simple syrup and pure vanilla extract come together in minutes for a drink that tastes like it came straight from a cafe.
Ever since I gave up my daily coffee, I needed something that still felt like a treat in the morning. Chai was the answer. The flavors of ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and allspice are so warm and bold, and when you add vanilla and creamy frothed milk, it becomes one of those drinks you genuinely look forward to every single day. I make this for myself almost every morning, and I have been told my home is basically running a small cafe at this point!
This vanilla chai latte recipe also opened the door to so many fun variations. Once you get the base down, you can take it in so many different directions. My Lavender Chai Tea Latte Recipe ~ How to Make at Home is a great example of how a simple addition completely transforms the whole drink. If you love chai, you are going to want to try them all!
Why this Recipe Works
Homemade Chai: There is just something about the taste of homemade chai you simply cannot beat! This recipe uses a quick brew with spiced chai tea bags and comes together with simple syrup for sweetness and freshly frothed milk for that creamy, cozy texture.
Easy to Make: This homemade vanilla chai latte comes together in 5 minutes with simple ingredients, quicker than going through the drive-thru at Starbucks! It's such a great way to save money on your morning pick me up without sacrificing any flavor.
Cozy and Comforting Flavors: I love how bold and cozy these flavors are! Ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and allspice all pair together beautifully for the perfect warming drink. It is one of those beverages that just makes you slow down and enjoy your morning.
Ingredients
Hot Water: You can boil the water in a mug in the microwave or with a tea kettle.
Chai Tea: Use spiced chai black tea bags for the best flavor without any hassle. You can find these at most grocery stores!
Hot Milk: For a rich and creamy latte, I recommend using whole milk. You can also use almond milk, oat milk or coconut milk! I would avoid rice or soy milk as they don't froth as easily, and that foamy texture is what makes this drink so good.
Simple Syrup: I like to use simple syrup here. You could also use honey, pure maple syrup or a few dashes of sugar. I love syrups that are organic with lower sugar for a latte that is not overly sweet.
Vanilla Extract: Look for pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for the best vanilla flavor. If you have a vanilla syrup on hand, you could use that in place of the simple syrup and vanilla extract.
Cinnamon: A dusting of cinnamon on top is the perfect finishing touch. You could also use ground nutmeg, cloves or ginger if that's what you have on hand.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
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Instructions
Step 1: Start by steeping your chai tea bags and hot water in your preferred mug for about 3-5 minutes. The longer you steep the chai, the richer the flavor will develop.
Step 2: While the chai tea steeps, heat the milk. If you have an electric milk frother and steamer, add the milk and froth and steam to heat, creating that perfect foamy texture.
Step 3: If you do not have an electric milk frother and steamer, heat the milk either in the microwave or over the stovetop in a small pot.
Step 4: Once the milk is heated, use an electric handheld frother for about a minute to froth the milk.
Step 5: Once the tea is steeped and the milk is frothed, remove the tea bags and add the simple syrup and a dash of vanilla to your mug.
Step 6: When pouring the frothed milk into the mug, use a spoon to hold back the foam until the end. Pour all of the hot milk in with the chai tea first, then pour the foam layer on top at the end.
Step 7: Top with a dusting of cinnamon as desired and enjoy your perfect morning pick me up!
Quick Tip
Chai flavors vary significantly depending on the brand of tea you are using. Flavors like black tea, ginger, cardamom and allspice can be bold or light depending on your brand!
For this vanilla chai latte recipe, I have found that if I am using Trader Joe's chai tea, I prefer two tea bags since the flavors are on the bolder side. If I am using Tazo or another brand, I usually use three tea bags for the same amount of water to get a stronger flavor. It really does make a difference, so it is worth experimenting with what you have!
All of my Chai Tea Recipes follow this same tip, and once you find your sweet spot with your preferred brand, making this at home gets even faster and easier.
FAQ
Yes! Follow the recipe exactly, but add one shot of espresso to the tea mixture before adding the milk foam on top. A dirty chai just means espresso has been added to the drink for an extra caffeine boost. It is so good if you are a coffee lover!
I typically use a tea kettle or tea pot on the stove. You can also heat the water in the microwave for about 1 minute until boiling. Both work great!
Yes! Follow the recipe as written, but only froth half of the milk. Combine the steeped tea, vanilla, simple syrup and the other half of the cold milk and pour over ice. Add the frothed milk on top for that perfect foam layer.
One tip - the hotter the tea, the faster it melts the ice. If you can make the tea mixture ahead of time and chill it in the fridge first, you will get much better results!
Yes! Simply heat 4 oz of your favorite chai concentrate. Tazo chai concentrate works great here. You could also make your own homemade chai concentrate by batching the tea, vanilla and simple syrup combination from the recipe above.
If you don't want the dusting of cinnamon, you could also top your vanilla chai latte with a star anise (just don't eat it whole!), a cinnamon stick or a pinch of vanilla sugar for a really pretty finishing touch.
Equipment
Electric Frother & Steamer: An electric frother and steamer works best for this recipe to both heat and froth your milk at the same time. An electric hand frother is a great option if you don't have the frother and steamer combo appliance.
Tea Kettle: Use a tea kettle to heat your water or a microwave.
Storage
Because this vanilla chai latte is made fresh in just 5 minutes, it is best enjoyed right away for the best texture and flavor! The frothed milk will lose its foam as it sits, so I always recommend drinking it fresh.
If you need to prep ahead, you can brew the chai tea and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you are ready, just reheat and froth your milk fresh.
Vanilla Chai Latte
Ingredients
- 4 oz boiling hot water
- 2 chai tea bags
- 5 oz hot whole milk
- 1-2 tablespoon simple syrup
- dash of vanilla extract
- sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions
- Start by steeping your chai tea bags and hot water in your preferred mug for about 3-5 minutes. The longer you steep the chai, the richer the flavor will develop.
- While the chai tea steeps, heat the milk. If you have an electric milk frother and steamer, add the milk and froth and steam to heat, creating that perfect foamy texture.
- If you do not have an electric milk frother and steamer, heat the milk either in the microwave or over the stovetop in a small pot.
- Once the milk is heated, use an electric handheld frother for about a minute to froth the milk.
- Once the tea is steeped and the milk is frothed, remove the tea bags and add the simple syrup and a dash of vanilla to your mug.
- When pouring the frothed milk into the mug, use a spoon to hold back the foam until the end. Pour all of the hot milk in with the chai tea first, then pour the foam layer on top at the end.
- Top with a dusting of cinnamon as desired and enjoy your perfect morning pick me up!
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