Sweet, spicy, and ice cold, is there anything more refreshing than an Iced Chai Latte? It's easy to make this boldly flavored iced chai tea latte at home with just a teabag and a little patience — no boxes of concentrate required!
I adore anything chai flavored (hello Chai Cookies!), and I am more likely to have a cup of hot Chai Tea Latte in my hand instead of coffee. Those classic warming spices make you feel so cozy, and the ice-cold version is especially refreshing when it gets hot out. This easy iced tea recipe is quick enough to make every day, or you can save time and just double or triple it and keep a stash of homemade chai concentrate in the fridge.
Why You'll Love This Iced Chai Latte
- Creamy and refreshing. Iced chai has the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and bold spices that make it a popular choice from midwinter to the hottest days of summer. There's nothing quite like it!
- Skip the trip to the coffee shop. Instead of spending a small fortune at coffee shops or on those quart boxes of chai concentrate, make your own iced chai tea latte at home! It only takes about 20 minutes, and you can easily double or quadruple this recipe to have extra on hand any time a chai craving starts calling.
- Control the quality of ingredients. If you have any dietary restrictions, it can be nearly impossible to find coffee drinks that fit your needs. For this recipe, you can use organic tea, your favorite type of milk (or no milk), or any type of sweetener that works for you.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Iced Chai Latte, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- water + ice cubes
- chai teabag - there is a huge range in quality when it comes to pre-bagged tea. If you want a strong, pure chai flavor, it's worth it to pay a couple of extra dollars for a better-quality brand.
- milk - use your milk of choice: dairy or non-dairy.
- sweetener- this is totally optional, and you can use any type of sweetener you'd like. I recommend sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a small saucepan, storage container, and a glass.
How to Make the Best Iced Chai Latte
- Steep. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and add tea bag. Steep for 5 minutes. Then, remove and discard the teabag. Transfer to the fridge to chill for about 5-10 minutes.
- Assemble. Place a few ice cubes into a glass cup. Fill with the chai tea concentrate, then top with milk.
- Sweeten. Stir gently to combine and taste. Add sweetener, if desired.
Recipe Variations
- Add more spices. This recipe relies on bagged chai, but you can certainly steep extra spices to add even more flavor. If you're making a larger batch, throw in a star anise or two, some cinnamon sticks, and a few cardamom pods to make those spices pop.
- Use a flavored sweetener. Instead of sugar or maple syrup, use vanilla simple syrup or cinnamon simple syrup for an extra layer of flavor.
- Try different types of chai. There are so many varieties of chai that it can be a bit overwhelming. Most of us are used to masala chai, which is known for lots of warm spices like cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and black pepper, but that's just the start! Have fun trying cardamom chai, turmeric ginger chai, rooibos chai, and more.
- Make an iced dirty chai latte. Add a shot of espresso or some cold brew coffee for a hit of caffeine to get you through the day.
- Go decaf. If you need to take it easy on the caffeine, look for a decaffeinated brand of chai without black tea.
- Use loose tea. Love loose chai tea? Replace the bag of tea with approximately 2-3 teaspoons of loose tea leaves. Just be sure to strain the mixture with a fine mesh strainer to remove any pieces of black tea or spices.
How to Serve
This Iced Chai Latte is a delicious and refreshing drink to enjoy on its own, or paired with some sweet treats or cookies including:
For more recipes, see our 50 Best Cookie Recipes.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Steep as long as you'd like. If you crave the intensity of chai concentrate, feel free to let the tea steep a little longer. Just be sure not to go for too long, as the black tea can add a bitter flavor. For an even stronger flavor, use two bags of tea instead of one.
- Make lots of extra. To keep ready-to-serve iced chai in the fridge, sweeten the chai mixture while it is still warm, let it cool in the fridge, then add the milk. Store it in a pitcher in the fridge, fill a glass with ice, and pour! If you use regular dairy, keep an eye on the expiration date.
- Steep in water only. Sometimes, people like to skip a step and steep the tea in the milk, but it will not work the same way. The water will extract much more flavor, giving you a stronger, bolder chai flavor faster. It's a simple recipe, but it's best to trust the process.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Any leftover chai concentrate should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. I like to make extra to keep in a large mason jar or a pitcher for easy pouring.
How to Freeze
If you have any iced chai leftover, pour it into ice cube molds and freeze it. The next time you make an iced chai, use the frozen cubes to keep your drinks from diluting. This makes the very best iced chai latte!
FAQ
The secret is to make your own chai concentrate. That's easier than it sounds! Just steep your favorite chai tea bag in hot water until it has plenty of flavor, then chill in the fridge. Once cold, pour the chai over ice, add a little milk, and stir in your favorite sweetener. That's it!
Yes, most chai tea brands are made with black tea, which contains caffeine. Black tea has about half as much caffeine as coffee, but you can certainly choose a decaf chai tea brand instead.
You can really use any type of chai tea you'd like! For that classic chai flavor, look for spiced chai or masala chai. Feel free to play around with different brands, as some will have much more flavor than others. For the best flavor, skip the bottom shelf option and choose something a little more expensive. Give it a smell, too. If it smells really aromatic and spicy, go for it!
More Cold Drink Recipes
- Homemade Iced Tea
- Matcha Milk Tea
- Iced Latte
- Cold Brew Coffee
- Homemade Lemonade
- Homemade Peach Iced Tea
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Recipe
Iced Chai Latte
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet, spicy, and ice cold, is there anything more refreshing than an Iced Chai Latte? It's easy to make this boldly flavored iced chai latte at home with just a chai teabag and a little patience — no boxes of concentrate required!
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 1 chai teabag
- ice cubes
- ½ cup milk, dairy or non-dairy (more or less, to taste)
- 1-3 teaspoons sweetener, sugar, maple syrup or honey (optional, or to taste)
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and add tea bag. Steep for 5 minutes. Then, remove and discard the teabag. Transfer to the fridge to chill for about 5-10 minutes.
- Place a few ice cubes into a glass cup. Fill with the chai tea concentrate, then top with milk.
- Stir gently to combine and taste. Add sweetener, if desired.
Notes
How to store: Any leftover chai concentrate should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. I like to make extra to keep in a large mason jar or a pitcher for easy pouring.
How to freeze: If you have any iced chai leftover, pour it into ice cube molds and freeze it. The next time you make an iced chai, use the frozen cubes to keep your drinks from diluting. This makes the very best iced chai latte!
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Chill Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Steep
- Cuisine: Indian
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