Copycat Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Recipe - Basics with Bails (2024)

This Copycat Starbucks Chai Tea Latte recipe is the perfect hot drink for the cold winter months and at a fraction of the cost of the real Starbucks’ chai tea latte. Filled with warming chai spices and hot milk, it’s sure to be your new favorite drink.

Let’s get real for a second here, who doesn’t love a good old Starbucks copycat recipe? I know I do.

Spending your life savings on Starbucks eventually gets tiring. Which is why I decided I needed to recreate the homemade chai latte.

It’s the perfect balance of a strong chai flavor mixed with your milk of choice. Made only with simple ingredients, I promise you this is just as good as the one you get from your local coffee shop.

If you like Starbucks copycat recipes, you have to try my Spinach Feta Egg White Wrap, my Starbucks Egg White Bites and my .

I think the word chai can sometimes deter people away. They immediately think strong spiced tea with black peppercorns and tons of sugar.

The chai concentrates you buy at grocery stores can sometimes be terrible tasting so people get the wrong idea of how delicious it can be.

I love a good dirty chai latte, however the version at Starbucks has an alarming amount of sugar in it. It’s absolutely delicious which is why it’s such a popular drink, but contains way too many grams of sugar.

By making a homemade version you can make it with way less sugar and it tastes exactly the same. Say goodbye to grande Starbucks chai tea lattes and hello to your amazing homemade version!

WHAT IS A CHAI TEA LATTE?

Black tea infused with cinnamon, clove and other warming spices is combined with steamed milk and topped with foam for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. It’s similar to a latte but instead of a shot of espresso you are using a black tea concentrate instead.

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS COPYCAT STARBUCKS CHAI LATTE

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make this delicious drink (the exact measurements and full recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post):

• Chai tea bags – using the bags is my preferred method to make a homemade chai concentrate, but you could also use tazo chai concentrate.
• Honey or maple syrup – any sweetener of choice will do, even something like brown sugar,
• Cinnamon – cinnamon sticks and nutmeg are also both great additions to give it a spicy flavor. You could also use star anise for decoration and a stronger flavor as well.
• Milk – whole milk is what is used in the traditional drink, however you could also use almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk or any other kind of milk you prefer.
• Hot water

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT DRINK

Bring cup of water to a boil in a small pot over high heat.

Add the 2 chai tea bags, honey, and cinnamon to pot. Cover and turn down heat to a simmer and let simmer for 10 minutes.

After about 7-8 minutes, froth the milk.

Pour chai tea mixture into a mug, then add the milk overtop. Sprinkle with more cinnamon (and nutmeg if you like). Enjoy!

IS THIS STARBUCKS COPYCAT CHAI TEA LATTE HEALTHY?

This recipe is much more healthy since it’s made with your own chai concentrate vs other recipes that use the tazo classic chai concentrate. All the different spices have anti-inflammatory effects that aid in digestion, treat nausea and can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Depending on the amount of sugar or cane sugar that is added will determine whether or not it’s very healthy. There are many health benefits in this drink, however with too much sugar it can quickly become and unhealthy drink.

There is also much less caffeine in a tea vs coffee, so if reducing caffeine is a goal of yours this would be a great option.

HOW TO FROTH THE MILK

There are a few different ways to froth the milk for this recipe. It’s very important you choose one, as the drink will not be the same without it.

• Electric Milk frother – the most simple way would be using a milk frother if you have. After steeping everything over the stove in a small saucepan, you froth the milk and add it in top of your steeped tea.
• Hand held frother – heat the milk in a separate sauce pan and then mix it up with a hand held frother. If you don’t own one you could also use a wire whisk or an electric beater.
• French press – this way you will pump the milk up and down until a frothy milk is aquired.

CAN I MAKE IT AN ICED CHAI TEA LATTE?

Yes, you can make this recipe into the Starbucks iced chai latte. Follow all the recipe directions to make your homemade concentrate, fill a glass with ice cubes and concentrate then top with your favorite milk.

I still prefer the hot version, however the cold version is much better for the warmer months when you don’t want hot drinks. You can also add vanilla syrup or vanilla extract to give it more of a vanilla flavor!

I have used a plant-based milk as well as regular whole milk and it does alter the latte taste depending on which milk you end up choosing.

If you wanted to make a skinny version of the homemade chia tea latte, ensure you are using less sugar and opting for almond milk or skim milk!

Delicious Treats To Enjoy With Your Homemade Chai Tea Latte!

• Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
• 30 Christmas Cookie Recipes With Few Ingredients
• Easy Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
• Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Crinkle Cookies
• Gluten Free Bread Pudding

IF YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS RECIPE ONPINTERESTOR SHARE ONINSTAGRAMBY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails