Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
Have you ever taken that first sip of a warm, spicy vanilla chai tea latte and felt like you were being wrapped in a cozy blanket? I sure have!
This delicious drink combines the warmth of chai spices with the sweet, comforting flavor of vanilla and creamy milk.
It’s my go-to drink during chilly mornings or when I need a pick-me-up that isn’t as strong as coffee.
In this post, I’ll show you how to make the perfect vanilla chai tea latte right in your kitchen, plus share some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.
Get ready to fill your home with amazing smells and your mug with this tasty treat!
Why You’ll Love Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
This drink is a real winner! It hits all the right spots with its warm spices, creamy texture, and sweet vanilla notes. You’ll love how easy it is to make at home, saving you money on coffee shop visits. Plus, you can control exactly what goes in it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chai Tea Bags: These little packets pack a punch of flavor with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper mixed with black tea leaves.
- Milk: The creamy base that makes your latte smooth and rich. I like whole milk, but you can use any kind that makes you happy!
- Vanilla Extract: This magic potion adds that sweet, aromatic flavor that takes your chai from good to absolutely amazing.
- Sweetener: A touch of honey, sugar, or maple syrup brings all the flavors together and balances the spicy notes in your drink.
- Cinnamon Stick: Not just pretty! This adds extra spice flavor as you steep your tea and makes a cute garnish for your finished drink.
How to Make Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
Making this cozy drink is easier than you might think! You’ll start with strong chai tea, add some creamy milk and sweet vanilla, and end up with a café-quality drink right at home.
Step 1: Boil water in your kettle or pot. Once it’s bubbling, turn off the heat and add two chai tea bags to steep for 5 minutes.
Step 2: While your tea steeps, warm your milk in a small pot on low heat. Don’t let it boil – just heat until you see small bubbles forming at the edges.
Step 3: Remove the tea bags and stir in your sweetener while the tea is still hot. This helps it dissolve completely for that perfect sweetness in every sip.
Step 4: Add the vanilla extract to your tea and stir well. The vanilla brings that special flavor that makes this drink so amazing!
Step 5: Pour the warm milk into your tea mixture. If you want it extra frothy, use a whisk or frother to create that coffee-shop foam.
Step 6: Pour into your favorite mug, sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg on top, and add a cinnamon stick if you’re feeling fancy!
Tips for the Best Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
- Steep your tea longer for a stronger flavor. I sometimes go up to 7 minutes when I want that extra spicy kick in my latte.
- Warm your mug before adding your latte. Just fill it with hot water for a minute, then dump it out. Your drink will stay hotter longer!
- Try frothing your milk with a handheld frother or by shaking it in a jar. This creates that perfect, creamy coffee-shop texture we all love.
- Make a concentrate by brewing extra-strong chai and storing it in the fridge. Just heat it up with milk when you want a quick latte!
- Adjust the sweetness to your taste. Start with less sweetener – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away once it’s in there!
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it vegan by using almond, oat, or coconut milk instead of dairy. Oat milk is my favorite swap because it’s naturally creamy and doesn’t separate.
- Try a dirty chai by adding a shot of espresso or strong coffee. This gives you a caffeine boost plus an amazing coffee-chai flavor combo!
- Make it iced by cooling your tea mixture completely before adding cold milk and ice. Perfect for hot summer days when you still need your chai fix!
- Add a flavor twist with pumpkin spice in fall, peppermint extract during winter holidays, or lavender in spring. Each creates a whole new drink experience!
- Go sugar-free by using monk fruit sweetener, stevia, or erythritol instead of sugar. You’ll still get that sweet taste without the sugar spike.
Common Questions
Easy Vanilla Chai Tea Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chai tea bags
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup milk whole, 2%, or plant-based
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick optional, for garnish
- Pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for topping
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a small pot or kettle.
- Remove from heat, add chai tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes.
- While tea steeps, warm milk in a small saucepan over low heat until small bubbles form at the edges (do not boil).
- Remove tea bags and stir honey or sugar into the hot tea.
- Add vanilla extract to the tea mixture and stir well.
- Pour the warm milk into the tea mixture, whisking or using a frother for extra foam if desired.
- Pour into your favorite mug and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Add a cinnamon stick for garnish if using.
