The Dreamiest Homemade Iced Chai Latte Recipe for Cozy Sipping

Iced chai latte blends aromatic spices with cool, smooth milk for a refreshing beverage that awakens your senses.

Warm cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger dance together in this classic Indian-inspired drink, creating a complex flavor profile.

Tea lovers and caffeine enthusiasts appreciate its rich, multilayered taste that balances sweet and spicy notes.

Creamy milk softens the robust tea’s intensity, refineing it into a delightful summer sipper.

Brewing this drink at home allows you to customize spice levels and experiment with different milk alternatives.

Homemade versions easily surpass coffeehouse offerings by letting you control ingredient quality and proportions.

Professional baristas might guard their secrets, but crafting an exceptional iced chai latte is simpler than you think.

A Cool Chai That Hits All the Spiced Notes

• Spice Symphony: Dive into a harmonious blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns that dance together, creating a warmly complex and aromatic chai experience that tingles your taste buds.
• Quick Comfort Brew: Whip up this delightful drink in just 15 minutes, making it a perfect go-to recipe for busy mornings or spontaneous refreshment moments without complicated techniques.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Embracing hazelnut milk and coconut sugar, this recipe offers a creamy, plant-based alternative that's both delicious and inclusive for those with dietary restrictions or seeking healthier options.
• Customizable Coolness: Easily adaptable to personal preferences, you can adjust spice levels, milk choices, or sweetness, making this iced chai latte a versatile beverage for any palate.

What You’ll Need for a Refreshing Iced Chai

• Cinnamon: Warm, sweet spice that adds depth and complexity to the chai flavor.
• Vanilla: Smooth, creamy note that softens the spice blend and adds richness.
• Ginger: Zesty, warming spice that provides a slight kick and traditional chai character.
• Cardamom: Fragrant, slightly sweet spice that is essential to authentic chai taste.
• Cloves: Intense, sharp spice that contributes a bold and warming undertone.
• Peppercorns: Black peppercorns bring a subtle heat and traditional chai complexity.

• Tea Bags: Black tea forms the base of the traditional chai latte.
• Coconut Sugar: Natural sweetener with a caramel-like flavor that complements the spices.

• Water: Primary liquid for brewing the chai concentrate.
• Hazelnut Milk: Nutty, creamy alternative milk that adds a smooth texture and subtle flavor.
• Ice: Chills the latte and provides a refreshing serving temperature.

How to Brew and Chill Chai with Style

Step 1: Create Aromatic Spice Brew

Pour water into a saucepan and add all the spices. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to create a gentle simmer. Let the flavors dance and mingle for 10 minutes, allowing the spices to release their magical essence.

Step 2: Infuse With Tea Goodness

Remove the saucepan from heat and introduce tea bags. Let them steep and share their rich flavor for 3 minutes, creating a deep amber liquid packed with warmth and character.

Step 3: Sweeten The Brew

Discard the tea bags and stir in coconut sugar until completely dissolved. This natural sweetener will add a gentle caramel note to your drink.

Step 4: Strain And Chill

Carefully strain out all the whole spices, leaving behind a smooth, fragrant tea. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until completely cool.

Step 5: Assemble Your Latte

When ready to enjoy, pour the chilled tea into a glass filled with ice. Splash in hazelnut milk for a creamy finish. Stir gently and savor your homemade chai experience.

Tip: For an extra cool twist, freeze some of the chai tea in ice cube trays to prevent dilution!

Tips for Creaminess Without Overpowering Spice

• Steep Wisely: Use high-quality loose tea or premium tea bags for a more robust and authentic chai flavor.
• Spice Balance: Crush whole spices before adding to release more intense aromatics and enhance the overall depth of the latte.
• Sweetness Control: Adjust coconut sugar gradually to find your perfect sweetness level, tasting as you go.
• Milk Magic: Choose a creamy hazelnut milk at room temperature to prevent the chai from becoming too cold when mixing.
• Chill Technique: Cool the chai mixture completely before refrigerating to prevent cloudiness and preserve the clean, bright flavor profile.

How to Keep Your Chai Fresh and Balanced

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chai concentrate in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping its rich, aromatic flavors intact.
• Freeze: Pour the concentrate into ice cube trays for longer storage, perfect for quick future drink preparations.
• Reheat: Gently warm the concentrate on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain its smooth, spiced taste before mixing with milk and ice.

What Goes Well with Iced Chai at Any Hour

• Complement Spicy Chai with Sweet Pastries: Pair the iced chai latte with a warm cinnamon roll or honey-drizzled scone to balance the drink's bold, complex spices and create a harmonious flavor experience.
• Enhance Chai with Nutty Companions: Serve alongside almond biscotti or pecan shortbread cookies that echo the hazelnut milk's nuttiness and provide a delightful crunch against the smooth, cool beverage.
• Match Chai's Warmth with Light Nibbles: Create a perfect afternoon snack by adding small cardamom-spiced energy balls or ginger cookies that mirror the latte's aromatic spice profile and offer a complementary texture.
• Cool Down with Fresh Fruit Plate: Offer a side of sliced green apples or poached pears to cut through the chai's richness and provide a refreshing, palate-cleansing contrast to the spiced drink.

Chai Add-Ons That Elevate the Flavor

• Lavender Chai Chill: Infuse the chai with dried lavender buds during the simmering process for a fragrant, floral undertone that transforms the classic drink.
• Maple Spice Splash: Replace coconut sugar with pure maple syrup and add a pinch of nutmeg for a rich, warmly sweetened version of the original recipe.
• Turmeric Golden Boost: Incorporate fresh turmeric root during brewing to create an anti-inflammatory, golden-hued chai latte with earthy undertones and additional health benefits.
• Cardamom Caramel Swirl: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce into the chilled chai and top with a sprinkle of ground cardamom for an indulgent, creamy beverage.

Iced Chai Latte Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Silky smooth iced chai latte brings Indian spice traditions to your favorite cool beverage. Fragrant cardamom, cinnamon, and black tea blend seamlessly with creamy milk, delivering a refreshing drink you’ll crave all summer long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Spices:

• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 cardamom pods
• 6 cloves
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) black peppercorns
• 2 Darjeeling tea bags
• ½ vanilla pod, sliced lengthwise
• 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) ginger, peeled and sliced

Sweetener:

• 40 grams (1.4 ounces) coconut palm sugar

Liquid:

• 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) hazelnut milk

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Instructions

1. Craft a aromatic chai base by combining water with whole spices in a saucepan, allowing the warming blend of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns to meld together.
2. Bring the spice-infused liquid to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce the heat to create a gentle simmer that extracts maximum flavor from the fragrant ingredients.
3. Let the spices dance and release their essence for approximately 10 minutes, creating a rich and complex liquid foundation.
4. Remove the saucepan from heat and introduce tea bags, allowing them to steep and infuse their robust character into the warm mixture for precisely 3 minutes.
5. Carefully extract the tea bags and incorporate coconut sugar, stirring until completely dissolved and creating a subtle sweetness throughout the liquid.
6. Strain the mixture to eliminate whole spices, ensuring a smooth and clean chai concentrate that will serve as the base for your refreshing beverage.
7. Chill the prepared chai thoroughly, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify while reducing the temperature.
8. When ready to serve, blend the chilled chai with hazelnut milk, creating a creamy and luxurious texture.
9. Fill glasses with ice and pour the chai latte over, creating a cool and invigorating summer drink that balances spice and sweetness.

Notes

• Spice Infusion Magic: Simmering whole spices releases deep, complex flavors that transform an ordinary chai into an extraordinary beverage.
• Steeping Technique: Let tea bags rest exactly 3 minutes to extract perfect tea strength without bitterness.
• Sweetener Secret: Coconut sugar adds rich, caramel-like undertones that complement the warming spices beautifully.
• Chilling Strategy: Allow the chai concentrate to cool completely before adding milk to preserve its vibrant taste profile.
• Milk Flexibility: Hazelnut milk offers a nutty dimension, but feel free to swap with almond, oat, or dairy milk for personal preference.
• Temperature Tip: Serve over plenty of ice to create a refreshing, cooling drink perfect for hot days.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Drinks, Breakfast
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 75mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg