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!
Jump to:
- What is a dirty chai latte?
- What is an iced dirty chai from Starbucks?
- Ingredients and notes
- Best Milk For Iced Chai Latte
- How to make a dirty iced chai latte at home
- Best Sweeteners For Chai Latte
- Health Benefits of Chai Latte
- Storage Instructions
- Expert Tips
- FAQs
- Iced Dirty Chai Latte Recipe {Starbucks Copycat}
What is a dirty chai latte?
A dirty chai is a chai tea drink that has a shot of espresso or a dash of strong 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!
Depending on where you're from, some people will know this tasty drink as Java Chai, Red Eye Chai, Espresso Chai, and Filthy Chai Latte.
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.
Looking for morning coffee inspiration? Check out our post about The Best Breakfast Drinks
Ingredients and notes
You only need a few simple ingredients to make a dirty chai latte at home. And these ingredients can be adjusted according to personal preferences. Find the list of ingredients you'll need below or in the detailed recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Chai tea bags. These will be used to create a strong chai flavored concentrate to give the drink a warm, spiced flavor. Use your favorite brand of chai tea that you enjoy. Chai tea is a mixture of Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom, Black pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves, Fennel seeds.
- 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 milk such as soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk.
- Coffee or espresso. It is up to you whether 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.
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.
How to make a dirty iced chai latte at home
STEP ONE
Make your strong brewed coffee or espresso and set it aside in the fridge.
STEP TWO
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.
STEP THREE
Add your sweetener 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 this chai drink with whipped cream, frothed milk or creamer, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or whipped coconut cream if 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.
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.
If you want to enjoy dirty chai lattes all week long, double the recipe to make a big batch of the spiced tea. You can then store this in your fridge and when you’re craving a latte, add ¾ cup of the tea concentrate to a serving glass, add a shot of espresso, and top with ½ cup milk and ice cubes.
Expert Tips
- Use Strong Tea: Use a good quality chai tea blend and brew it with slightly less water than usual to ensure a robust flavor that can stand up to the addition of ice and milk.
- Go With Fresh Coffee: If you're grinding your coffee beans at home, make sure to use a medium-coarse grind for optimal extraction and flavor. Freshly ground coffee will have a more vibrant taste compared to pre-ground coffee.
- Don't Be Shy With The Spices: Adjust the spice ratios according to your personal preferences. You can add more cinnamon for a warmer flavor or increase the amount of ginger for extra zing. Don't be afraid to customise the spice blend to suit your taste buds.
- Give it A Good Strain: After brewing the chai tea, strain it to remove any tea leaves or spices that could affect the smoothness and consistency of your latte. A fine-mesh sieve or a tea strainer works well for this purpose.
- Allow to Chill Before Adding Ice: To avoid diluting the flavors, ensure that the chai tea is completely chilled before pouring it over ice. You can refrigerate it for a few hours or use an ice bath for quicker cooling.
- All About The Froth: For a creamy and luxurious texture, froth the milk before adding it to your iced chai latte. You can use a milk frother, a handheld frother, or simply shake the milk vigorously in a tightly sealed jar.
- Sweeter Is Always Better: Experiment with different sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you achieve your desired level of sweetness. Remember to stir well to ensure even distribution of the sweetener.
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!
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