I started making chai lattes nearly 20 years ago when I worked as a barista in college. Back then, we used a chai concentrate that could sit on our counter for a month without spoiling. (Probably thanks to all of the sugar as a preservative.)
It took me weeks to make a copycat version of that chai concentrate, because I wanted it to taste like the coffee shop version without using refined sugar. I also didn’t want to spend time boiling whole spices on the stove to create a simple syrup.
Luckily, I figured out a simple solution that can be assembled in minutes. All you have to do is wait for a strong cup of tea to brew while you add some ingredients to a jar. It tastes remarkably similar to the store-bought version and will have you sipping iced chai lattes for the rest of the week!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“I almost never leave comments, but this iced chai latte deserves all 5 stars! Wow! I won’t need to go to Starbucks for the rest of the summer. Thank you for taking the time to make this so delicious.”
– Margot
Iced Chai Tea Latte Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Black tea. You don’t need chai tea bags to make a chai latte. Any simple black tea will do! We’re using several servings at once to make a concentrated tea flavor.
- Spices. We’re using ground spices for convenience, and just three of them will provide a lot of flavor. Boost the ginger and cloves if you prefer a spicy chai, or add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg for even more depth.
- Maple syrup. This natural sweetener pairs perfectly with these spices, and since it’s liquid, you won’t need to boil it on the stovetop like you would regular sugar. Honey could likely be swapped, but it might affect the taste.
How to Make Iced Chai Tea Latte
Step 1:
Arrange 4 black tea bags in a large mug or measuring cup, and pour 1 cup of boiling water over them. Let the tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 2:
In a 16-ounce mason jar, add the maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. When the tea is done brewing, remove the tea bags and pour the strongly brewed tea into the mason jar with the syrup and spices.
Use a whisk to mix everything together, or secure a lid on the jar and shake well. This is your chai tea concentrate!
Step 3:
Add roughly 1 1/2 cups of ice cubes to a glass, then pour 3/4 cup of your favorite milk over the ice.
Shake the concentrate well in the jar each time you’re ready to use it, then pour a 1/4 cup of the concentrate into the iced milk. (It makes beautiful swirls this way!)
Stir well and enjoy! If you need a sweeter or spicier flavor, add more chai concentrate as you see fit.
Iced Chai Latte Variation
Make a “dirty chai latte” by adding a shot of espresso or a serving of cold brew into your glass. You can make it fancier by adding a dollop of foam or whipped cream on top, too.
Chai Concentrate Storage Tips
Store the leftover concentrate in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This recipe yields approximately five servings as written, but it can be easily doubled or tripled if needed.
Chai Tea Concentrate
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 cup boiled water
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
For Serving
- ¾ cup milk of choice (per serving)
- 1 ½ cups ice
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Place the 4 tea bags in a large mug or measuring cup, then pour the boiled water over them. Let the tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes, then remove the bags.
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While the tea is steeping, add the maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves to a 16-ounce mason jar with a lid. Use a whisk to stir them together, or secure the lid on the jar and shake well. Add the tea and shake again to complete the chai tea concentrate.
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When you’re ready to make a serving, add ice and 3/4 cup of milk to a glass. Pour a 1/4 cup of the chai concentrate (shake well before measuring each time!) over the milk, then stir. You can add a little more concentrate for a sweeter and spicier flavor, or add more milk to dilute the flavor. The choice is up to you!
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Store the concentrate in the airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Storage Tip: Separation is normal when storing this concentrate in the fridge. Shake well before each use.
Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
More Recipes to Try
If you try this iced chai latte recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below, letting me know how you like it.
