Silky Iced Chai Latte Recipe

Cozy Iced Chai Latte Recipe: Spice Up Your Sip Game

Brewing the perfect iced chai latte recipe sparks joy for tea lovers seeking a refreshing summer drink.

Aromatic spices dance with smooth, creamy milk to create a delightful beverage that tingles your senses.

Rich and complex flavors merge in this simple yet elegant concoction.

The blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and black tea promises a luxurious experience.

Each sip delivers a cool, spicy embrace that transports you to bustling Indian markets.

Homemade chai beats any cafe version with its fresh, vibrant taste.

Whip up this irresistible drink and turn an ordinary moment into a delectable escape.

Serving Iced Chai Latte in Style

  • Cozy Cafe Corner: Serve in a tall glass with a cinnamon stick garnish, creating an Instagram-worthy presentation that highlights the latte's rich, spiced aroma.
  • Afternoon Refreshment Twist: Pair with a light almond biscotti or ginger cookie to complement the chai's warm spice profile and add a delightful crunch to your drink.
  • Wellness Wellness Boost: Top with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg or a few fresh mint leaves to enhance the drink's health-boosting properties and provide an extra layer of flavor complexity.
  • Summer Sip Companion: Blend with crushed ice and a splash of coconut cream for a more indulgent, smoothie-like version that's perfect for hot afternoons.

Storing Iced Chai Latte Properly

  • Flavor Harmony Storage: Keep your chai concentrate in an airtight glass container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing the spices to continue infusing delicious depth.
  • Batch Preparation Trick: Double or triple the recipe to have a ready-to-pour drink during busy mornings or unexpected guest moments, saving precious time and energy.
  • Milk Selection Flexibility: Switch between hazelnut, almond, oat, or dairy milk based on dietary preferences or what's available in your kitchen without compromising the latte's rich taste.
  • Temperature Balance Strategy: Let the hot chai mixture cool naturally at room temperature before refrigerating to maintain optimal flavor intensity and prevent potential bitter notes from developing during rapid cooling.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 113 kcal

Servings: 3

Iced Chai Latte: What You’ll Need

For Spices and Aromatics:
  • Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet depth and helps boost metabolism with its rich, comforting flavor.
  • Vanilla: Provides smooth, creamy undertones that softens the spice blend and enhances overall taste.
  • Ginger: Delivers a zesty, slightly peppery kick that brings vibrant warmth and aids digestion.
  • Cardamom: Introduces an exotic, slightly citrusy note with complex earthy undertones that elevate the drink.
  • Cloves: Contributes a bold, intense spiciness with a hint of sweetness and traditional chai character.
  • Peppercorns: Brings subtle heat and sharp, complex flavor that balances the other spices beautifully.
For Brewing Base:
  • Water: Creates the foundational liquid for extracting rich spice flavors and brewing intensity.
  • Tea Bags: Infuses robust tea essence and provides the classic chai tea profile and strength.
For Sweetening and Finishing:
  • Coconut Sugar: Offers a gentle, caramel-like sweetness with lower glycemic impact and deeper flavor profile.
  • Hazelnut Milk: Adds creamy texture and nutty undertones that complement the spice blend wonderfully.
  • Ice: Ensures a refreshingly chilled serving temperature and creates a cool, crisp drinking experience.

Tool & Gadgets for Iced Chai Latte

  • Large Saucepan: Essential for boiling and simmering the chai spices and tea.
  • Fine-Mesh Strainer: Perfect for removing whole spices after brewing.
  • Measuring Cup: Needed to accurately measure water.
  • Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring sugar and mixing ingredients.
  • Tea Bags: Specific for brewing the chai base.
  • Ice Cube Tray: Crucial for serving the latte chilled.
  • Tall Glass: Ideal for the final iced chai presentation.

Making Iced Chai Latte at Home

  • Spice Symphony

Combine aromatic spices and water in a saucepan, creating a fragrant base that will transform into a delightful beverage.

  • Brewing Magic

Allow tea bags to dance in the warm liquid, infusing rich flavors and depth into the chai mixture.

  • Sweet Whispers

Gently incorporate coconut sugar, stirring until it melts completely and blends seamlessly with the spiced tea.

  • Cooling Transformation

Let the chai mixture chill, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify while reaching a refreshing temperature.

  • Final Touch

Pour the cool chai over ice, splash in creamy hazelnut milk, and create a smooth, indulgent drink that promises to delight your senses.

Flavor Tweaks for Iced Chai Latte

  • Add a pinch of star anise or a dash of black pepper to intensify the warming spice complexity of your chai.
  • Prepare the chai concentrate up to 5 days in advance and store in the refrigerator for quick, refreshing drinks anytime.
  • Replace coconut sugar with honey, maple syrup, or agave for different natural sweetness levels that complement the spice blend.
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Silky Iced Chai Latte Recipe

Silky Iced Chai Latte Recipe


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4.8 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Homemade chai latte delivers rich Indian spices blended with smooth milk and cooling ice. Creamy layers create perfect refreshment for tea enthusiasts seeking authentic flavors without complicated preparation.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 Darjeeling tea bags
  • ½ vanilla pod, sliced lengthwise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 6 cardamom pods
  • 6 cloves
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) black peppercorns
  • 2 cm (0.8 inches) ginger, peeled and sliced
  • 40 g (1.4 oz) coconut palm sugar
  • 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) hazelnut milk

Instructions

  1. Spice Infusion: In a saucepan, combine water with whole cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns, allowing the aromatic blend to harmonize and develop deep, complex flavors.
  2. Extracting Essence: Bring the spice-laden liquid to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, coaxing out the intricate nuances of the carefully selected spices for 10 minutes.
  3. Tea Integration: Remove from heat, steep tea bags for exactly 3 minutes, then discard, ensuring a robust tea foundation that captures the essence of traditional chai.
  4. Sweetening Ritual: Dissolve coconut sugar completely into the warm mixture, creating a balanced sweetness that complements the spice profile.
  5. Refining the Concentrate: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, removing whole spices and producing a silky-smooth chai concentrate with vibrant, layered flavors.
  6. Chilling and Blending: Refrigerate the chai until thoroughly chilled, then combine with hazelnut milk, whisking to create a creamy, harmonious beverage.
  7. Serving Technique: Fill glasses with ice, pour the chai latte over, garnishing with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired, and enjoy the refreshing, spice-infused creation.

Notes

  • Spice Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality whole spices to ensure a rich, vibrant flavor profile that elevates the entire chai experience.
  • Precise Steeping Time: Watch the clock carefully during tea and spice steeping to prevent bitterness and achieve a perfectly balanced chai concentrate.
  • Strain Thoroughly: Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove all whole spices, guaranteeing a smooth, sediment-free beverage.
  • Chill for Depth: Allow the chai concentrate to cool completely in the refrigerator, giving flavors time to meld and intensify for a more complex taste.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Drinks, Breakfast
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 113
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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