This Homemade Chai Tea Latte is made with a homemade chai spice blend (from scratch), is dairy-free and is lightly sweetened with maple syrup. It’s not only healthier than a store-bought chai latte but way tastier!

two mugs of chai lattes topped with dried rose petals

What Is A Chai Tea Latte?

A chai tea latte blends spiced black tea with milk for a creamy, aromatic drink. “Chai” means tea in Hindi, so this drink is essentially a “tea latte” with bold spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.

Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe (Better than Starbucks!)

Cozy up with a warm, spiced chai tea latte that’s easy to make at home. This healthier alternative to store-bought lattes features a fragrant homemade chai spice blend and creamy oat milk, sweetened with just the right touch of maple syrup. Perfect for fall and winter, this drink will quickly become your go-to for chilly afternoons!

With the colder weather here, there’s nothing I love more than enjoying a warm drink in the afternoon. (And morning…and evening…) But really, 3 o’clock in the afternoon has become sort of a ritual in my home where I take some time to prepare a warm drink to get me through that 3 pm slump. Sometimes it’s a turmeric latte, a matcha latte, but lately this Chai Tea Latte has been my go-to!

Why you’ll love this chai tea latte recipe

  • Easy to Make: Skip the coffee shop and whip up this chai tea latte in under 10 minutes at home.
  • Healthier than Store-Bought: This recipe uses natural sweeteners and no artificial syrups or additives.
  • Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, milk type, or spice intensity to your taste.
  • Cost-Effective: Save money by making your favorite drink at home.
  • Perfect for All Seasons: Enjoy it hot in winter or iced in summer for year-round enjoyment.

Chai Latte Ingredients

Ingredients for a chai latte
  • Tea: you can use any type of black tea you like, or you can use oolong tea which has a smooth and creamy taste. You can also use tea bags or loose-leaf tea.
  • Oat milk: I like oat milk because it has a creamy texture. You can use any type of milk you like.
  • Spices: the blend of spices used for the chai latte are cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cloves and nutmeg.
  • Vanilla: this adds a delicious hint of vanilla flavour to the latte.

*This is a recipe overview. Find the full recipe and measurements below in the recipe card.

How to make a Homemade Chai Tea Latte

Step 1

Heat the oat milk in a small pot on medium heat until it begins to bubble slightly.

oat milk in a white pot

Step 2

Add the spices and vanilla extract and gently whisk together to combine. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then remove it from the heat.

oat milk and spices in a white pot

Step 3

Add the tea bags to the pot and let them steep for 2-3 minutes.

tea bags being dipped in a pot of spices and oat milk

Step 4

Pour the chai lattes into mugs and top with some cinnamon. I also topped these ones with some dried rose petals.

two mugs of chai latte with oolong tea on the side

What type of tea should I use in a Chai Latte?

Chai Lattes are generally made with black tea. Black Tea leaves are fully oxidized which gives them their deep “black” colour and rich flavour. Black tea also has more caffeine than green tea or white tea, making it a great option for a little pick-me-up.

Some common types of tea to use for a Chai Latte include Assam or Darjeeling black teas.

For this recipe, I like to use oolong tea, which technically isn’t a black tea since it’s only partially oxidized. It falls somewhere between green and black tea. I find oolong tea has a soft and creamy taste and texture which pairs really well with the spices added to this Homemade Chai Latte.

Tips for making a perfect Chai Latte

  • Steep the Tea Correctly: Opt for a bold black tea like Oolong or Darjeeling, and steep for 3–5 minutes for a robust flavor without bitterness.
  • Choose Creamy Milk: Full-fat milk or creamy plant-based options like oat or coconut milk work best for a velvety latte.
  • Balance the Sweetness: Sweeten with natural options like maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar to enhance the spices.
  • Simmer, Don’t Boil: Gently simmer your milk and spices to extract the flavors without burning the milk.
  • Froth for the Perfect Finish: Use a milk frother or whisk vigorously to create a frothy topping that adds a café-quality touch.

Chai Tea Latte FAQ

Are chai lattes healthy?

Store-bought chai lattes tend to be loaded with sugar, but this homemade chai latte is healthy and refined sugar-free.

Is a chai latte stronger than coffee?

No, coffee is generally stronger than a chai latte. The average cup of coffee has about 100mg of caffeine, while the average cup of chai latte has about 50mg of caffeine.

What’s the best tea for a chai tea latte?

Black teas like Oolong, Assam or Darjeeling are ideal for their strong flavor, but oolong tea works well if you prefer a milder taste.

What’s the difference between a Chai Latte and Dirty Chai Latte?

The difference between these two drinks is that a dirty chai latte has a shot of espresso in it. If you’d like to make this recipe into a dirty chai latte, all you need to do is add a shot of espresso

Can I make it ahead of time?

Prepare a batch of the chai tea base (tea and spices) and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat and add milk when ready to serve.

More Chai spice recipes to try

A chai latte in a white mug

If you tried this Homemade Chai Tea Latte or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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A chai latte in a white mug

Homemade Chai Tea Latte

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This Homemade Chai Tea Latte is made completely from scratch and makes for a cozy dairy-free drink!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups oat milk
  • 2 black tea bags (I use oolong tea)
  • 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8th tsp ground allspice
  • 1/8th tsp clove
  • 1/8th tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • maple syrup to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the oat milk on medium heat in a small pot, then add the spices and vanilla and mix together, bringing it to a slight boil.
  2. Remove from heat and add the teabags, letting steep for 2-3 minutes. 
  3. Add maple syrup if you like for sweetness. 
  4. Pour the chai latte into 2 cups and top with more cinnamon. 

Notes

If you like a frothy latte froth some additional milk to add on top. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 latte
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 2g