Dirty Chai Tea Latte

A person holding a white mug filled with a frothy dirty chai latte on a white plate. Next to the mug are a few whole star anise and cloves, adding a touch of spice to the cozy setting.

Who says that you need to go to coffee shops just to get an extra kick of caffeine in the morning? With this dirty chai tea latte recipe, you can enjoy the warmth and spice of chai tea combined with the energizing kick of espresso right in the comfort of your own home. It's creamy, spicy, and pairs wonderfully with fresh muffins or buttered toast.

Gina Dickson

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Resting Time 20

Total Time 35

Serving Size servings

Ingredients

8 cardamom pods whole, crushed
4 cloves whole
2-3 star anise
4 peppercorns
2-3 slices ginger fresh
2 cinnamon sticks
2 black tea bags
2 cups water
2 cups non-dairy milk (e.g., almond, oat, or soy)
1 shot espresso or strong brewed coffee
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (to taste)

Instructions

Prepare the Chai Base:

Crush the cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, and peppercorns in a mortar and pestle.
8 cardamom pods, 4 cloves, 2-3 star anise, 4 peppercorns
In a small pot, combine the crushed spices, ginger, cinnamon sticks, black tea bags, and water.
2-3 slices ginger, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 black tea bags, 2 cups water

Simmer and Steep:

Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately turn off the heat. Remove the tea bags to prevent bitterness. Let the mixture steep for at least 20 minutes.

Strain:

Strain the chai mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or pitcher to remove the spices.

Assemble the Latte:

Fill a glass with a few ice cubes. Add ½ cup of the chai mixture, ½ cup of non-dairy milk, a shot of espresso, and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Stir well. Adjust sweetness or milk to taste.
2 cups non-dairy milk, 1 shot espresso or strong brewed coffee, 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup

Serve and Enjoy:

Serve cold over ice or warm it up for a cozy version.

Notes

Gina's Tips For Making This Recipe

Avoid over-steeping your tea, or else you'll get a bitter taste.
If you have an espresso machine, use it to brew your espresso for the best flavor.
Cool the chai tea before making the iced chai latte. If you're in a pinch, put the tea in the fridge to cool fast.
Adjust the sweetness based on your personal preferences.
Try to pour the milk slowly to create a fancier layered look before mixing.
Use leftover chai or espresso ice cubes to avoid diluting the drink as the ice melts.

Nutrition Facts