Vanilla Chai Tea Latte - A Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe (2024)

A homemade dry mix to make the PERFECT Vanilla Chai Tea Latte!

As I’ve told you before, I grew up in Iowa. Iowa in the summer, spring, and fall is honestly so beautiful. Iowa in the winter, for lack of a better word, sucks.

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It’s. So. Cold.

School gets cancelled because it’s too cold to walk the 100 yards to get inside, kind of cold. Cold, as in you’re wearing 10 layers under your winter jacket and a hat, scarf, and gloves and you can still feel the wind stinging your skin.Cold as in your face is so frozen, you can’t move your lips to talk. That last one was particularly difficult for me, but probably enjoyable for others. What can I say? I’m kind of a chatter box.

Thank GOD I live in Seattle now, because I just can’t handle the cold, but when I didn’t have a choice other than to live in Iowa, Mr. Beans saved my life with their warm, creamy, sweet, subtly spicy vanilla chaitea latte.I have been searching and searching for something, anything that comes close to that latte and I figured it would be easy in Seattle, considering we have what feels like 2.5 million coffee shops across the downtown area. Sadly, I was wrong. Seattle doesn’t care about vanilla chai tea lattes, as Seattle is far too busy perfecting their Americano 😉

Since I couldn’t find the perfect vanilla chai tea latte, I took it upon myself to make the perfect vanilla chai tea latte, and after much experimentation, I think I’ve finally done it!

Here is the timeline of my relationship with vanillachai tea lattes.

The Introduction: It all started while I was in high schooland every Sunday, my family and I would go to Mr. Beans and get ham and cheese sandwiches on pretzel roll buns. As you now know, Iowa is unbearable in the winter without a piping hot drink, but I didn’t appreciate coffee yet, and wasn’t a big “regular” tea drinker. Alas, the vanilla chai tea latte made it’s first appearance and it was love at first site.

Falling in Love: Then, I started to get a little clingy. During the winter breaks, my sister and I would hang around the house watching movies, doing homework watching movies, eating Christmas cookies, you know… Christmas break stuff. Then I’d start getting a little cold and I’d ask my sister, “Want to drive to Mr. Beans for a vanillachai tea latte?” Then we’d trek out into the cold just for the latte and come home completely warm and happy.

Crazy in Love: Then, our relationship became more like an obsession. Trevor and I moved in together in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa where there was a Mr. Beans just a short walk away! Saturday morningswe’d wake up, I was cold, and I neeeeded my drink, and I just HAD to walk down to Mr. Beans. Like. Right now. So we’d bundle up and walk down only to rememberthat that Mr. Beans was only open during the business week, but Trevor, being the great man he is, would drive me all the way across town to the other Mr. Beans just to get me my beloved vanillachai tea latte.

The Bittersweet Goodbye: Present time, I live in Seattle, where Mr. Beans and my favorite drink sadly do not exist…until now! You guys, you have no idea how excited I am that I can now have my vanillachai tea lattes whenever I want! Wahoo! Even as I type this, I am sipping on my piping hot latte and am so very happy about it. Now, if only it was in a to-go cup, then I’d be transported right back to Mr. Beans.

Although, nobody could ever truly recreate Mr. Beans’ chai tea, I think this recipe is pretty darn close…and I’m the toughest critic out there. It’s creamy, it’s sweet, it’s a little spicy, it’s filled with vanilla, and it’s perfect for the coldest day of winter.

This recipe is so easy and versatile, too! Simply pour all of the ingredients (listed below in the recipe box) and blend in your blender (we used a Vitamix– you need this in your life) until it’s a fine powder. Hint: I used atamper to make sure everything blended evenly. After the mix has been blended, I like to mix it with hot milk, but feel free to mix it with water! Too sweet? Cut back on the sugar. Not spicy enough? See the recipe notes below on how it amp up the spice factor!

Non coffee lovers, this is the perfect holiday drink for you, but no worries for the coffee lovers, because this is a great base to make a Dirty Chai…just add a shot (or two) of espresso to the chai tea mix and milk and you’re good to go!

– Jennifer

What’s that one drink that really gets you through winter? Show me the yummy!

Vanilla Chai Tea Latte - A Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe (9)

Vanilla Chai Tea Latte

4.96 from 23 votes

A homemade dry mix to make the PERFECT Vanilla Chai Tea Latte!

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Equipment for this recipe

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
  • 1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
  • 1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
  • 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 6 oz milk
  • Pinch of cinnamon for topping optional

Instructions

  • Blend all ingredients above (excluding milk) in your Vitamix, coffee bean grinder, or food processor until it becomes a fine powder.

  • You may need to do this in batches, depending on how powerful your blender is.

  • Mix in 2 tablespoons of this mix with 6 oz of hot milk or water and stir until combined.

  • Top with optional cinnamon and drink the cold away!

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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Notes

Nutritional information does not include the milk to make the actual latte.

I like my chai tea lattes a little sweeter and not so spicy, but I know not everyone does!

If you like yours a little spicier trying adding:

2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cloves (that would be 1 teaspoon cloves total)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (that would be 1 teaspoon nutmeg total)

My suggestion would be to start with what is listed...you can always add more spices, but you can't take them out! I would suggest the same thing with the sugar, some people think that this is WAAAAY too sweet, but it's just how I like it! Start with 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar and from there.

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Vanilla Chai Tea Latte

Amount Per Serving (1 serving powdered mixture)

Calories 89 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 1mg0%

Sodium 30mg1%

Potassium 90mg3%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 18g20%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 75IU2%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 47mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: chai, cozy, vanilla

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Author: Jennifer Debth

Vanilla Chai Tea Latte - A Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is vanilla chai tea the same as vanilla chai latte? ›

Chai tea typically has a more pronounced tea flavor due to the lighter use of milk compared to chai lattes. Chai latte is generally sweeter and creamier due to the higher amount of steamed milk and the use of sweeteners.

What's the difference between a chai latte and a chai tea latte? ›

Chai tea is a spiced tea blend with ingredients like cardamom, cloves, ginger, and black pepper, while chai lattes are made from a chai tea concentrate that is blended with steamed milk.

Is there coffee in a vanilla chai latte? ›

The chai latte is hot, milky, fragrant, gently spicy, and popular in cafés everywhere. However, despite the fact that it's served in coffee shops and named after the latte, it actually contains no coffee whatsoever. Chai is one of the world's oldest tea-based drinks.

How to make a chai tea latte like a barista? ›

Add two to three teaspoons of chai to a saucepan with 250mL of milk and brew for five minutes. Strain the brewed chai into your cup and top it up with steamed milk for a cafe experience. Add honey or sugar to taste. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try adding maple syrup or condensed milk for a caramel flavour.

Is vanilla chai discontinued? ›

At the time of posting, it seems that Dunkin has discontinued the Vanilla Chai, also known as the Vanilla Spice latte, though it is still listed as a product on their website. No matter, now you have an easy recipe to make it yourself at home!

What is a vanilla chai latte made of? ›

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Take off the heat, add chai tea bags and let steep for five to ten minutes, depending on how strong you like it. Steam milk and Torani Puremade Zero Sugar Vanilla Syrup together and froth. In a mug, add chai tea then top with the vanilla milk mixture.

What brand of chai does Starbucks use? ›

Tazo Chai Concentrate (Starbucks brand)

This is the tea that Starbucks uses for its tea lattes and other beverages. Starbucks uses a special (and more concentrated) version of the Tazo Chai Concentrate that is not sold commercially.

Is chai tea latte better for you than coffee? ›

Chai lattes are rich in antioxidants, which help eliminate free radicals in the body, reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, the high caffeine content in coffee can lead to side effects such as anxiety, digestive problems, insomnia, muscle breakdown, and heart palpitations.

What's in a Starbucks dirty chai? ›

Traditionally, a Chai Latte is a blend of spicy chai tea concentrate and steamed milk. When you add a shot (or two) of espresso, it becomes "dirty," representing the bold addition of coffee to the equation. While undeniably delicious, ordering a Dirty Chai Tea Latte can be pricier due to the combined costs.

What is a dirty chai latte? ›

Dirty chai is a popular espresso beverage made with tea or chai concentrate, one shot of espresso, and steamed milk. Unlike ordinary chai (masala chai) or sticky chai, the outcome is a blend of regular latte and chai. Spices frequently used in dirty chai are black pepper, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom.

What do coffee shops use for chai latte? ›

To make a chai coffee, most coffee shops use espresso shots, chai concentrate, sweetener, and milk. A Copper Cow Chai Coffee has whole herbs and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger ground right into the coffee.

What pairs with vanilla chai? ›

Biscuits or Cookies: Simple biscuits or cookies like shortbread, ginger snaps, or butter cookies make for a delightful pairing with chai.

Do you need a milk frother for chai latte? ›

Tools to make chai tea latte

So before you dive in, you'll need a good hand-held milk frother or emulsifier. Get a sturdy one that will last. The cheap ones do not.

Do they put water in chai tea lattes at Starbucks? ›

Ingredients. Milk, Ice, Chai Tea Concentrate [An Infusion Of (Water, Black Tea, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Natural Flavours, Star Anise), Sugar, Honey, Ginger Juice, Natural Flavours, Vanilla, Citric Acid].

What kind of milk is in a chai latte? ›

Prepare a chai latte with cow milk. Classic chai is prepared with high-fat milk, and sometimes with condensed milk or even butter. Cow's milk gives chai it a smooth, rich and authentic taste.

What is a vanilla chai from Dutch Bros? ›

Complete your day with the comforting spice of Dutch Bros' Vanilla Chai Tea Latte made with vanilla syrup and your choice of milk. Available hot or iced! Don't forget to add whipped cream! 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary.

What does vanilla chai tea do? ›

Chai tea is a great source of antioxidants such as catechins and theaflavins. These fight oxidative stress and can play a role in preventing cancer and other conditions. Depending on how it's prepared, chai tea may also include: Calcium.

What is chai tea from Dunkin Donuts? ›

Chai, which translates to 'tea' in Hindi, has been growing in popularity over the past few years. While the spices used to make chai can vary depending on where you buy it, at Dunkin', our chai features a blend of spices including cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom and nutmeg.

What is vanilla chai flavor? ›

Vanilla chai is basically tea with spices and a lot of milk. It tastes a bit like a latte but instead of that coffee taste, it has the taste of tea and a little taste of cardamom and cinnamon.

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