An easy homemade Iced Dirty Chai Latte recipe that combines the delicious flavors of chai tea and coffee. This Starbucks copycat latte is a sweet, creamy, and refreshing pick-me-up.
If you love the flavor of chai as much as I do, you have to check out my recipe for Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate!
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What is a dirty chai?
A dirty chai is a chai tea drink that has a shot of espresso or a dash of coffee in it. The coffee is what gives the dirty chai latte drink the name "dirty".
The warm spiced flavor from the chai spice blend combines with the deep, bitter taste of coffee. This is then mellowed out by the addition of milk.
For an iced dirty chai, it is the same delicious combination of chai, coffee, and milk, but also with an addition of ice cubes. This makes the drink cold and refreshing - a perfect boost on a warm day!
What is an iced dirty chai from Starbucks?
The Starbucks Iced Dirty Chai Latte Recipe is made with a chai concentrate, milk, and espresso. This is then sweetened and served over ice. It is easy to recreate this popular Starbucks order at home with a few simple ingredients.
Chai is a spiced tea, typically served in India. It is a mixture of black tea leaves that are combined with varying amounts of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, star anise, and sometimes fennel, nutmeg, pepper and coriander.
All about the breakfast recipes? Check out our post about The Best Breakfast Drinks
Ingredients you'll need
- Chai tea bags. These will be used to create a strong chai flavor concentrate to give the drink a warm, spiced flavor. Use your favorite brand of chai tea that you enjoy.
- Sweetener of choice. You can use any kind of sugar or sweetener to sweeten up your drink. I like to use brown sugar, but you could also use white granulated sugar, coconut sugar, or xylitol if you prefer. Honey and agave syrup will also work well.
- Milk of choice. Starbucks typically uses 2% milk to make their lattes, but any milk that you prefer will work in this recipe. This includes lactose-free milk and plant-based milks such as soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk.
- Coffee or espresso. It is up to you wether you want to add one shot or two shots of coffee to your dirty chai latte. You can use espresso or strongly brewed coffee.
- Ice cubes. To keep your iced latte cold and refreshing! Feel free to add as much or as little ice as you prefer.
How to make a dirty iced chai latte at home
STEP ONE
Make your strong brewed coffee or espresso and set aside in the fridge.
STEP TWO
Place a small saucepan over a high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add the chai tea bags and turn off the heat. Allow to steep for 5 minutes and then remove the tea bags.
STEP THREE
Add your sweetner of choice and mix into the warm chai concentrate until melted and combined. Add in the chilled coffee/espresso and mix well.
STEP FOUR
Assemble the drink for serving by filling a serving glass with ice cubes. Pour over the chai coffee mixture. Top with the milk of your choice and stir to combine and then enjoy!
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
You could top the drink with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or whipped coconut cream if so desired!
Best Sweeteners For Chai Latte
Sugar - Regular granulated sugar is the most common sweetener used in chai lattes. It dissolves easily in hot liquids and provides a straightforward sweetness.
Honey - Honey adds a unique flavor to the chai latte and can be used as a natural sweetener. It is especially good for people who are avoiding processed sugar. Personally I love adding honey to most drinks such as oat lattes or almond iced coffees.
Maple Syrup - Maple syrup provides a rich, sweet, and slightly earthy flavor that complements the spices in a chai latte well.
Agave Nectar - Agave nectar is a plant-based sweetener that has a lower glycemic index compared to sugar, making it a good option for those with blood sugar concerns.
Stevia - Stevia is a calorie-free sweetener that is derived from a plant. It is a good option for those who are looking to reduce their sugar intake or are on a low-calorie diet.
Best Milk For Iced Chai Latte
- Cow's Milk: Whole milk or 2% milk is the most commonly used type of milk for a chai latte. It provides a rich and creamy texture and enhances the flavors of the tea.
- Soy Milk: Soy milk is a plant-based alternative that is popular among those who are lactose intolerant or following a vegan diet. It has a creamy texture and a neutral flavor that works well in a chai latte.
- Almond Milk: Almond milk is another plant-based alternative that provides a nutty flavor and a creamy texture. It is also a good option for those who are lactose intolerant or following a vegan diet.
- Oat Milk: Oat milk has a creamy and slightly sweet flavor that works well in a chai latte. It is also a good option for those with nut allergies.
- Coconut Milk: Coconut milk provides a sweet and creamy flavor that can enhance the spices in a chai latte. Great as a vegan or non-dairy alternative.
Health Benefits of Chai Latte
Antioxidants: Black tea, which is the main ingredient in chai tea, contains antioxidants, which help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Some of the spices used in chai tea, such as ginger and cinnamon, have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as arthritis and heart disease.
Boosts metabolism: The spices in chai tea, such as cinnamon and ginger, are believed to help boost metabolism and increase fat burn.
Supports digestion: The spices in chai tea, such as cardamom and ginger, have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to support digestive health and relieve symptoms of indigestion.
Contains caffeine: Chai tea contains caffeine, which can help to increase alertness and improve focus.
Supports heart health: The polyphenols in black tea, which is the main ingredient in chai tea, have been shown to support heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Storage Instructions
You can store the chai tea and coffee mixture in the fridge for 3 - 5 days.
Once you have added the ice and milk it is best consumed immediately.
FAQs
You can! Simply leave out the coffee and replace it with extra milk. You will then have a chai latte that you can enjoy warm or over ice.
Yes! You can use cold brew to make a chai latte. Simply replace the coffee in this recipe with your cold brew coffee to achieve this.
I hope you love this Iced Dirty Chai Latte recipe as much as I do. And if you want to see more of my food adventures, follow me on Instagram or Facebook.
Iced Dirty Chai Latte Recipe {Starbucks Copycat}
An easy homemade Iced Dirty Chai Latte recipe that combines the delicious flavors of chai tea and coffee. This Starbucks copycat latte is a sweet, creamy, and refreshing pick-me-up.
Ingredients
- 2 chai tea bags
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 - 3 teaspoons sweeterner of choice (see notes)
- 1 - 2 shots espresso (or strongly brewed coffee)
- ½ cup milk of choice
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Make your strong brewed coffee or espresso and set it aside in the fridge.
- Place a small saucepan over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add the chai tea bags and turn off the heat. Allow to steep for 5 minutes and then remove the tea bags.
- Add your sweetener of choice and mix it into the warm chai concentrate until melted and combined. Add in the coffee/espresso and mix well.
- Assemble the drink for serving by filling a serving glass with ice cubes. Pour over the chai coffee mixture. Top with the milk of your choice and stir to combine and then enjoy!
