Decadent Chai Latte from Scratch
on Oct 01, 2019, Updated Jan 13, 2021
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Chai latte from scratch with whipped cream is perfect for those cold winter days and nights. You’ll never want to go back to store-bought chai after making this!
Chai Latte from Scratch
Masala chai is a spiced tea drink common in India. Masala chai means mixed-spice tea. In the U.S., we shorten masala chai to just chai, which means tea. (So it’s incorrect to say ‘chai tea’ since that’s saying ‘tea tea.’)
Chai is made by brewing black tea with Indian spices. There is no universal chai spice blend that everyone uses. However, you’ll taste some overlapping flavors like cardamom, ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon with each version.
To make chai from scratch, I created my own chai spice blend using a bunch of different spices.
RELATED: Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Copycat
Recipe Highlights
- After many tests, this recipe was found to have the best flavor and combination of spices.
- The recipe yields 4 1-cup servings, but you can double the ingredients if you want to make more.
- Find expert tips for making the perfect chai latte from scratch, plus how to make a rich whipped cream from home.
3 tips to make it Easy & delicious
1. Use a basic black tea
Indian black tea is the best tea to use in a chai latte recipe. Assam tea with its full-bodied, strong flavor is great since it can hold up to the spices.
2. Use whole spices whenever possible
I use a blend of spices (whole and ground) and I’ve found whole spices have a richer depth of flavor than ground spices. I only use ground spices if it’s the only option.
3. Whip cream using a handheld milk frother
My secret to making whipped cream for drinks in seconds.
Chai Latte INgredients
- Assam black tea
- Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, whole cloves, star anise, black peppercorns, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Brown sugar
- Milk (any kind)
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
- Filtered water
My Black Tea Pick:
Photo Credit: Harney.com
How to Make Chai Latte From Scratch
1. MAKE CHAI CONCENTRATE
Crush or chop star anise, cloves, and cardamom pods into smaller pieces so that the flavors can be infused better.
In a saucepan, add all ingredients for chai concentrate except the vanilla extract. The vanilla extract will get added later.
Use filtered water if you can since it’ll make your tea taste better.
On low heat, let the tea and spices simmer. Stir occasionally.
This can be made ahead of time and into multiple batches to heat up for chai lattes throughout the week.
Tea Sommelier’s Tip: Since there are so many spices and flavors combined together, you don’t need to use the highest quality black tea. Feel free to use tea sachets or tea bags instead of loose tea.
Strain out tea and spice solids using a mesh strainer.
Add vanilla extract. The chai concentrate is now done!
2. HEAT MILK
Bring milk to simmer on the stovetop. When you see little bubbles form along the edges, take it off the heat. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t boil.
3. MAKE WHIPPED CREAM
There are a few ways to make whipped cream and the easiest I’ve found is using a handheld milk frother to whisk the heavy cream and sugar together. Use a tall container so that you don’t make a mess.
I like to make the cream with soft peaks and not too stiff so it lays on top of the chai latte better, spreading out on top.
4. ASSEMBLE DRINK
This recipe makes 4 servings so divide each part (chai concentrate, milk, whipped cream) into 4 cups.
Start by pouring half a cup of the chai concentrate into a mug.
Add the hot milk, leaving room on top for the whipped cream.
Spoon on the whipped cream.
Optional: Garnish with ground cinnamon and a whole star anise.
Expert Tips
- This recipe makes a chai concentrate so you can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
- The chai concentrate can be used to make iced chai lattes in the summer.
- I’m using loose tea but you can use tea sachets or tea bags instead. Instead of 2 tablespoons loose tea, use 4 tea sachets or 6 tea bags.
- Chai made from scratch is so much better than store bought since you control what goes into it so customize it however you like!
- Any milk can be used, but whole milk will have the creamiest texture.
Questions You May Have
Yes. Chai is made with black tea, which is a caffeinated tea.
Chai latte is made of black tea, spices, and milk. This recipe also has a whipped cream topping for extra richness.
Store chai concentrate in an airtight container, like a jar, in the refrigerator. Use it within 4 days for the best flavor and freshness.
Related
- Iced Chai Latte
- Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
- London Fog Drink (Earl Grey Tea Latte)
- Chamomile Tea Latte
- Decadent Milk Tea
- 7 Benefits of Drinking Chai Tea
Chai Latte from Scratch
INGREDIENTS
- 2 ½ cups milk any kind
- Optional garnish: ground cinnamon
Chai Concentrate
- 2 ½ cups water
- 2 tablespoons Assam loose tea
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise (optional: 1 more for garnish)
- 10 cardamom pods
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon black peppercorns
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
MAKE CHAI CONCENTRATE
- Crush and roughly chop star anise, cloves, and cardamom pods.
- In a saucepan, add all ingredients for chai concentrate except for the vanilla extract.High quality water will make your tea taste better so use filtered water if you can.
- Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
Stir occasionally. - Strain out tea and spice solids.
- Add vanilla extract.
HEAT MILK
- Simmer milk on low on the stovetop until you see little bubbles form along the edges. Turn off heat.
MAKE WHIPPED CREAM
- Whip together heavy cream and sugar.Use a handheld milk frother to whip heavy cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Whisk the ingredients in a tall container so you're not making a mess.
ASSEMBLE DRINK
- Into a mug, pour in the chai concentrate, then milk, and top with whipped cream.This recipe makes 4 servings so divide each part (chai concentrate, milk, whipped cream) into 4 cups.OPTIONAL: Garnish with ground cinnamon and a whole star anise.
NOTES
- This recipe makes a chai concentrate so you can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
- The chai concentrate can be used to make iced chai lattes in the summer.
- I’m using loose tea but you can use tea sachets or tea bags instead. Instead of 2 tablespoons loose tea, use 4 tea sachets or 6 tea bags.
- Chai made from scratch is so much better than store bought since you control what goes into it so customize it however you like!
- Any milk can be used, but whole milk will have the creamiest texture.
LOVE this. Was not too “spicy” for lack of a better word. Took a day to gather up the whole spices, mostly from Amazon including the tea. Made two batches and placed in large mason jars for fridge for later. Your recipe was easy to follow. Your photography and aesthetics are incredible. Love the little videos. so glad I found your site. Going to make many more including the milk tea and butterfly tea which I actually have. Used Assam tea which was great until I realized I had some Afternoon Ceylon from Harrods around. Thank you so much!
I just tried this recipe for the first time. I’ve never made homemade chai before. I used only 2 cups of water, because I like my chai strong and I used fresh ginger slices instead of ground. I followed the rest of the spices exactly, and it is AMAZING!!! This is legitimately the best chai I’ve ever had! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Hi! I’ve been planning on experimenting with my own chai blends for a while. Would you mind if I used this as a jumping-off point, along with other blends that I like?
Also, when you say ‘use filtered water’, what are you trying to remove? I know in cities people usually have weird-tasting things in their water, but I have (very!!) good-tasting well-water. Would I still need to filter to remove other things, or is the point just to have good-tasting water?
For ways to make it decaf, I’m thinking either using a decaf black tea or using rooibos tea. (Although rooibos isn’t actually from the tea plant, it’s still very good !)
Really good! A little too much nutmeg though in my opinion, it kind of dominates the flavor. But love the addition of the whip cream yum!
Hi! Just made this and it’s yummy BUT any suggestions on making it spicier? I usually buy Tazo’s chai latte concentrate and it’s got a great kick to it. I’d like to replicate using your recipe if possible. Thoughts??
Hi April, try adding more ginger or peppercorns to make it spicier.
Hi! Thanks for sharing the recipe! For the person who commented about customers who don’t drink caffeinated tea, I’ve made chai with Earl Grey decaf tea bags. Also, I found that 3 cloves is enough and 10 overpowers. Just my preference!
Just reading the recipe ….and wishing I had one now!
This was really yummy! I omitted the sugar and vanilla and it was great!! What do you suggest I should do if I want the taste to be stronger? Less water? Or longer steeping?
Thank you for the great recipe! I look forward to trying your other teas!
Hi Lola, add more tea to make it stronger. Steeping it longer will just make it taste bitter instead of stronger. Happy you made the chai latte!
Lovely thank you. I am drinking mine with coconut milk. Not traditional, but delicious.
Hi Alexa, as long as it’s delicious, that’s all that matters!
I loved finding your blog! I made it without the whipped cream and vanilla extract and enjoyed it! The next time I try it, I will reduce the amount of sugar. Tastes really good — thank you for sharing!