Description
A cozy, homemade chai latte made with black tea, warming spices, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. This easy recipe takes only 10 minutes and offers a customizable, cafe-quality drink using simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chai tea bags (or 2 tablespoons loose-leaf chai)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk (whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk)
- 2–3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 cinnamon stick or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon crushed cardamom
- Pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Combine water, chai tea bags, cinnamon stick, ground ginger, crushed cardamom, and salt in a saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes to steep the tea and spices.
- Pour in the milk and stir well. Heat gently until steaming hot (160-170°F), ensuring the milk does not boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in maple syrup and vanilla extract (if using) until dissolved.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spice levels as desired.
- Strain into a mug if using loose spices or a cinnamon stick, or remove tea bags. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not boil the milk as it can scald and separate. Use real maple syrup for the best flavor. For foam without a frother, shake hot milk in a mason jar for 30 seconds. This recipe is highly customizable; adjust spice levels and milk type to preference.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 6
Keywords: chai latte, fall drink, maple cinnamon chai, homemade latte, cozy drink, easy recipe, dairy-free option