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    Milk and Pop » Recipes » Tea Drinks

    Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte Recipe

    Published: Mar 9, 2021 · Modified: Sep 11, 2023 by Tatiana Kamakura · 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Perfect to beat the summer heat, this copycat Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte tastes amazing and can be made with homemade or store-bought chai concentrate.

    Iced chai latte in a tall glass with ice, ready to drink.
    Jump to:
    • Why make this recipe
    • What’s a chai latte?
    • Is chai latte healthy?
    • How many calories are in a chai latte?
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How Starbucks makes Iced Chai Latte
    • How to make it
    • Tips for getting the best iced chai latte
    • More tea lattes to try
    • 📖 Recipe

    Looking for more drink ideas with caffeine? Try this sweet coffee lemonade, or get the perfect cold brew recipe to beat the summer heat!

    Why make this recipe

    I love iced chai latte and find it to be the perfect treat for a hot home office day. The spices combined with milk make a smooth and flavorful drink. The black tea has just enough caffeine to end my morning coffee cravings.

    I have tried some chai concentrates, and while I’ve found some great options, some have a bit of an artificial aftertaste that’s not very pleasing.

    Homemade versions are always delicious:

    • Don’t like one of the spices? Leave it out!
    • Wanna make it skinny? Add your favorite sweetener!
    • Best part: it’s way cheaper than buying.

    I’m keeping this recipe as simple as possible, so everyone can make it with little effort and still get a delicious outcome.

    What’s a chai latte?

    Chai latte is a blend of black tea and spices mixed with milk. Super simple, right?

    It can be made both hot (with frothed milk and no ice) and cold (with every ingredient super cold and lots of ice, like the one you’re about to make).

    Chai actually means tea, so calling it chai tea latte is funny, as you’re literally saying tea tea latte. But that’s how the drink is known in most parts of America.

    Is there caffeine in a chai latte?

    Yes, there’s caffeine in a chai latte, as black tea has caffeine.

    Can I make chai latte with decaf black tea?

    Yes, you can. Just know that decaffeinated black tea still has a bit of caffeine left in them. The amount is very little, like 2 mg of caffeine per cup. But be aware of that if you are caffeine sensible or can’t consume any amount of it.

    Beverage seen from above, with a cinnamon stick and star anise on the edge of the glass.

    Is chai latte healthy?

    I bet you have already heard that some spices are associated with health benefits.

    Black tea can also be very good for you. The tea is rich in antioxidants and some studies say it can even lower blood pressure.

    However, there are other ingredients that might not be as healthy.

    Chai concentrates can be packed with sugar, and that’s one of the reasons I like to make it homemade. I can sweeten my homemade version with honey, maple syrup, or a sweetener for cane sugar-free options.

    How many calories are in a chai latte?

    In a chai latte, calories come from the milk and sweetener used. A grande Starbucks Chai Tea Latte (that’s 473 ml/16 oz) made with 2% milk has 240 calories.

    If you’re trying to cut back some calories, replace milk for a plant-based milk. One cup of unsweetened almond milk has about 30 calories, while a cup of 2% milk has 124 calories.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Milk. I like to use 2% milk, as it makes a smoother drink. But you can use any milk or plant-based milk. For a skinny version, use skimmed milk, or almond milk for a dairy-free beverage.

    Ice. If possible, filter the water you’ll use for making ice. You can make ice with chai latte for a stronger/more flavorful drink.

    Spices. You can leave out any spice you don’t like or are allergic to.

    A green cardamom pod.

    Honey. I use honey or apple vegan honey for my homemade chai concentrate. You can substitute honey for the same amount of maple syrup (it changes a bit the flavor), agave nectar (makes a slightly sweeter concentrate) or the sweetener you like for a skinny/low carb version.

    If using a sweetener, add it only the amount needed when making the iced chai latte, instead of substituting for the same amount of honey when making the chai concentrate.

    Black tea. You can make it with loose tea or tea bags. I usually make with tea bags as they are super practical and I always have some in my pantry. You can use decaf black tea for a version with very little caffeine.

    How Starbucks makes Iced Chai Latte

    There are 3 ingredients in a Starbucks Iced Chai Latte:

    • Chai concentrate,
    • 2% milk; and
    • Ice.

    They fill about ⅓ of the cup (4 pumps) with chai concentrate, then pour a cup of milk and fill the rest with ice.

    Now, if you try to copy this, with most chai concentrates you’ll get a very weak iced chai latte. Starbucks chai concentrate is not for sale, and most concentrates ask for a 1:1 concentrate to milk ratio.

    Don’t try to copy the proportions above with 1:1 store-bought or this homemade chai concentrate.

    Starbucks also uses triple filtered water for theirs, but I doubt everyone can triple filter their water (I can’t). If you can, use filtered water for making ice.

    Don’t have a filter? Boil the water for 5 minutes and wait for it to cool, or leave a jar with water sitting in the counter overnight. That gets rid of the chlorine and makes a better-tasting ice.

    How to make it

    Let’s start by making the chai concentrate:

    Pour the amount of water into a saucepan and add the spices. I usually add the tea bags straight away and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Then I leave it for 5 minutes simmering and remove the tea bags.

    But if you’re worried about getting a bitter taste, you can bring the water and spices to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes and add the tea bags when the concentrate is already out of the heat. Then, steep for 5 minutes and remove the tea bags (or tea leaves if using loose black tea).

    Spices strained from chai concentrate.

    Strain the concentrate, then add vanilla extract and honey. Stir until honey dissolves into the chai mixture.

    Wait for the concentrate to cool and store it in your refrigerator, in a jar with a lid.

    For the Iced Chai Tea Latte:

    • Fill a glass with ice;
    A hand dropping ice cubes into a tall glass.
    • Pour chai concentrate until it fills half the cup;
    Tall glass half filled with chai concentrate.
    • Complete with milk of choice;
    Milk being poured into chai concentrate and ice cubes.
    • Stir and serve right away.

    By using this formula, you can make it any size you want!

    Can I skip the spices and make it with chai tea bags?

    You can make a chai concentrate using chai tea bags. Steep chai tea bags into hot water for 5 minutes. Remove bags and add vanilla syrup and honey.

    Be aware that by using this hack you’ll lose some flavor and it will be less aromatic.

    Tips for getting the best iced chai latte

    Use whole spices for a more flavorful chai concentrate. Whole spices are more aromatic and make a better concentrate.

    Ground nutmeg is easier to work with. The exemption of the tip above is nutmeg: prefer its ground version.

    A hand stirring an Iced Chai Tea Latte.

    Use filtered water for making ice cubes. Filtered water without chlorine tastes better and makes your drink even more delicious.

    Make Chai Concentrate ice cubes. That’s great if you’re a slow drinker like me. It’s more work, though, but the result you’ll get makes up for it.

    More tea lattes to try

    • 2bottles of Earl Grey Milk Tea.
      Earl Grey Milk Tea
    • A glass of iced london fog over ice.
      Iced London Fog (Earl Grey Tea Latte)
    • 2 bottles of iced matcha latte.
      Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte
    • close up on brown sugar milk tea
      Brown Sugar Milk Tea (Without Tapioca Pearls)

    📖 Recipe

    Iced chai tea latte in a tall glass over ice cubes.

    Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte Recipe

    Tatiana Kamakura
    Perfect to beat the summer heat, this copycat Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte tastes amazing and can be made with homemade or store-bought chai concentrate.
    5 from 56 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Coffees and Lattes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 grande cup
    Calories 210 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    Chai Concentrate

    • 3 cups water
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 10 cardamom pods
    • 10 cloves
    • 2 star anise
    • 1 ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger or ½ tablespoon fresh grated ginger
    • 6 black tea bags or 2 ½ tablespoon of loose black tea
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 6 tablespoon honey

    Iced Chai Tea Latte

    • 1 cup chai concentrate
    • 1 cup milk
    • Ice

    Instructions
     

    For the homemade Chai Concentrate:

    • Pour the amount of water into a saucepan. Add the spices: cardamom pods, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, cloves, star anise and ginger.
    • Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 5 minutes.
    • Turn off the heat and add the tea bags or loose tea to the mixture, and steep for 5 minutes.
    • Remove the tea bags and strain the concentrate. Add vanilla extract and honey. Stir until honey dissolves into the chai mixture.
    • Wait for the concentrate to cool and store it in a jar with a lid, inside the refrigerator.

    For making Iced Chai Tea Latte:

    • Fill a tall glass with ice.
    • Pour 1 cup of chai concentrate. Complete with 1 cup of milk.
    • Stir and serve right away.

    Video

    Notes

    Make Chai Concentrate ice cubes for a stronger and more flavorful iced chai latte.
    You can also use milk ice cubes, or chai latte ice cubes.
    If you're not worried about getting a bitter taste, you can add the teabags straight away and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Then leave it for 5 minutes simmering and remove the tea bags.
    You can use any milk or plant-based milk. For a skinny version, use skimmed milk, or almond milk for a dairy-free beverage.
    You can leave out any spice you don't like or is allergic to.
    You can substitute honey for the same amount of maple syrup (it changes a bit the flavor), agave nectar (makes a slightly sweeter concentrate) or the sweetener you like for a skinny/low carb version.
    If using a sweetener, add it only the amount needed when making the iced chai latte, instead of substituting for the same amount of honey when making the chai concentrate.
    You can use decaf black tea for a version with very little caffeine.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 4gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 74mgFiber: 4gSugar: 35g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Tea Drink Recipes

    • Thai Tea lemonade in a mug with lime slices and ice.
      Thai Tea Lemonade (Thai Lime Iced Tea)
    • Thai Tea Syrup (Thai Tea Concentrate)
    • Small matcha ice cubes.
      Matcha Ice Cubes
    • Earl Grey whippe cream on top of whisker.
      Earl Grey Whipped Cream (Tea Infused)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicky

      February 06, 2022 at 2:02 pm

      This was the one!!!
      Delicious 🤤

      Reply
    2. Cathy

      October 28, 2021 at 12:01 am

      This was super yummy! Tasted amazing with almond milk ☺️ The only thing I think I would change for next time is a little less nutmeg since I did find it a bit overpowering, but other than that I think this recipe makes an awesome chai latte!

      Reply
      • Milk and Pop

        January 04, 2022 at 9:52 am

        Glad you like it, Cathy!

        Reply
    3. Samantha Hansen

      July 08, 2021 at 9:25 pm

      Simmer the mixture for 5 mins covered or uncovered? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Milk and Pop

        August 04, 2021 at 8:32 am

        Hi Samantha!

        I always do it uncovered, but both work!
        Cheers!

        Reply
    5 from 56 votes (56 ratings without comment)

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