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!
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!
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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!
- 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.
Brew the espresso.
Heat the chai latte concentrate.
Steam the milk. See below for recommendations on how to steam and froth your milk!
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!
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.
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!
You can have it either caffeinated or decaf! Just purchase regular or decaf espresso, and the same goes for the chai concentrate.
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.
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!
Dirty Chai Latte
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!
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