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    Home » Hunger » Fall

    Dirty Chai Latte

    By Lauren on November 17, 2022 Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Save the cash and skip the drive, there's no need to go out into the world when you can make your favorite Starbucks beverage at home! This easy dirty chai latte recipe only requires 3 ingredients and is the perfect sweet and spicy pick me up.

    Have it hot as a warm and cozy beverage or over ice to cool off. Its a little coffee and a little tea and totally, absolutely, tasty!

    Two coffee mugs filled with foamy milk and sprinkled with cinnamon on top of a rustic wood surface.  A ceramic carafe and antique spoon are next to the mugs on a white linen napkin.  A wooden chair draped with a scarf is in the background.

    What is a dirty chai latte? A caffeine-boosted spin on a chai latte, this recipe calls for chai latte syrup or concentrate, espresso, and milk.

    What does it taste like? The flavors of the chai are black pepper, spicy ginger, cardamom, and black tea, Combine these flavors with bold fresh brewed espresso and creamy milk. The ingredients we're using are a little sweet too, perfect if you like your coffee with just a touch of sweet.

    In the summertime, I love this perfectly spiced bevvy over ice for a caffinated iced chai. However, my favorite time to enjoy it is during the fall and winter.

    There's just something about the weather being chilly and gloom and having a hot, slightly spicy drink that's a little creamy, a tad sweet, with zippy espresso.

    If you love my gingerbread latte, you'll love this Starbucks copy cat dirty chai latte. Its perfect with these gingerbread scones or a maple snickerdoodle cookie!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to make a Dirty Chai Latte
    • FAQs
    • Tools & Tips
    • What to enjoy with your Dirty Chai Latte
    • Dirty Chai Latte

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Best of all, we're hitting the easy button on this recipe! You only need to grab these three ingredients to make a copycat Starbucks dirty chai latte!

    Overhead image of ingredients for making a dirt chai latte on top of a wooden board.  The ingredients are Tazo chai latte, espresso, and oat milk.
    • Chai - You can make your own chai if you prefer. Personally, I just love being able to heat up a little of the Tazo brand classic chai latte concentrate (affiliate link) - it's so fast and easy and the perfect combination of flavors - black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and black tea. Easy peasy.
    • Espresso - regular or decaf!
    • Milk - use your favorite dairy of choice. I go back and forth between oat milk and dairy milk. Both tasty!

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to make a Dirty Chai Latte

    A few short steps and you can be tucking into what I consider a hug in a mug.

    close up image of fresh brewed espresso in a white mug set on top of a wooden background with a white linen napkin behind the mug.

    Brew the espresso.

    Two ceramic mugs in layered colors of blue, lavender, and brown stacked on top of each other on a white beverage tray.  Chai tea latte syrup is pouring into the top mug from a white ceramic pourer.  The beverage tray is set on a snow covered table.

    Heat the chai latte concentrate.

    Close up image of spoon ladling milk foam on top of a latte inside a brown mug.  The mug is set on top of a wooden background with a white linen napkin.

    Steam the milk. See below for recommendations on how to steam and froth your milk!

    Two hands are holding a brown mug filled with dirty chai latte.  The top of the latte is sprinkled with spiced and topped with anise.  The background is a rough wooden surface with a linen napkin, antique spoon, and ceramic pourer.

    Combine the espresso and chai latte concentrate in a mug, top with milk. Sprinkle with chai spice mix or cinnamon.

    Hint: You can make this in batches to have at the ready. Or try mixing with your favorite coffee (cold brew, drip, french press, etc.) if you're not an espresso person.

    FAQs

    Some of my favorite tips coming at you!

    Can you make a decaf dirty chai latte?

    Is a dirty chai latte good?

    YOU BET. If you are a fan of lattes, especially flavored lattes from coffee places like Starbucks or Dunkin' I'm sure you will love a dirty chai latte.

    What's the difference between a chai latte and dirty chai latte?

    A chai latte is a drink made with steamed milk and black tea infused with chai spices. What makes a dirty chai latte 'dirty' is adding a shot of espresso!

    Is a dirty chai latte caffeinated?

    You can have it either caffeinated or decaf! Just purchase regular or decaf espresso, and the same goes for the chai concentrate.

    Close up image of the side of a mug filled with dirty chai latte.  The milk on top is very foamy and sprinkled with cinnamon and an anise seed pod.  Next to the mug is a linen napkin with spoons on it and a ceramic carafe.

    Tools & Tips

    You can easily make this latte with or without any fancy equipment. Personally, I absolutely love my Nespresso frother. It's so easy and can froth for both hot and cold. The Nespresso machine is so easy to use, clean, and maintain, it's a no-brainer for me.

    If you don't want to invest in fancy equipment, you can use a french press to brew your espresso or buy brewed espresso and heat it up when you are ready.

    The chai latte can be heated in the frother, on the stovetop, or in the microwave.

    To froth the milk without a frother, heat it over medium-low heat in a saucepan while whisking constantly until foamy.

    Close up overhead image of a latte in one mug and another much with chai latte and espresso but no additional milk.  The mugs are next to antique spoons on a linen napkin and a carafe filled with chai latte.  There is also a jar with chai spices.

    What to enjoy with your Dirty Chai Latte

    Listen, you can enjoy your latte, as is without any side snacks. I, for one, will jump at the chance for side snacks.

    Gingerbread spiced popcorn is a personal favorite. I also enjoy the idea of a scone for dunking. And if gooey, fluffy baked goods are your style definitely check out these pumpkin mascarpone rolls.

    Of course, don't forget about these chai cherry muffins! I absolutely adore this recipe.

    If you loved this Dirty Chai Latte recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and comment below! Don't forget to tag @hungerthirstplay when you post on Instagram and Facebook so I can see all your hard work!

    Two coffee mugs filled with foamy milk and sprinkled with cinnamon on top of a rustic wood surface. A ceramic carafe and antique spoon are next to the mugs on a white linen napkin. A wooden chair draped with a scarf is in the background.

    Dirty Chai Latte

    Fresh brewed espresso adds an extra kick to warming spicy chai latte ingredients. Its the perfect combination of coffee and tea with creamy milk!
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    Course: Drinks
    Keyword: dirty chai latte, starbucks copy cat, starbucks dirty chai latte
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Total Time: 5 mins
    Servings: 1 drink
    Calories: 290kcal
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    Ingredients

    • 1 shot espresso (about 3 ounces)
    • ½ cup chai latte
    • ½ cup milk (or dairy alternative)

    Instructions

    • On the stovetop, in the microwave, or in a frother, heat the chai latte. While the chai heats, brew the espresso. Combine both in a coffee mug.
      1 shot espresso
    • Heat and froth the milk using a frother or heat in a saucepan over medium low heat while whisking constantly until hot and foamy. Pour the liquid milk over the chai and espresso in the mug and spoon the foam over the top.
      ½ cup milk

    Notes

    • The easiest ingredient to use for this recipe it to buy the Tazo Chai Latte.  If that's not available, brew a cup of strong chai tea and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of simple syrup.
    • Any style of milk taste great in this drink - I really love oat milk!
    • Espresso is my favorite coffee add in, but cold brew would be great too if making this over ice!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 1739mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 2mg
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    Hi, I'm Lauren! This is my slice of the internet to share seasonally-inspired recipes. I live in the heart of New England with my husband, two kiddos, English bulldog and our two local restaurants. Life is busy AND delicious!

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