Dirty Chai Tea Latte Recipe
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Let’s make a dirty chai tea latte! Seriously, this is the only drink you need to turn a dull day around. It’s insanely delicious and truly comforting – it’s like a hug in a mug! The unique combination of chai tea and espresso makes a cozy treat that will warm you up and make your mornings extra special. I promise that you’ll like it a latte.
What Is A Dirty Chai Tea Latte?
I love my chai lattes. Period. There’s nothing like enjoying a cup of Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte on a chilly day or Chocolate Chai Latte when I need an instant pick-me-up. When it comes to Starbucks tea drinks, their chai tea lattes are at the top of my list, too. Needless to say, this recipe is a long time comin’!
A traditional chai latte combines the rich, spiced flavors of traditional masala chai with the frothy steamed milk of a cafe latte. A regular chai latte is typically made with black tea infused with a chai spice blend which includes warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper.
The addition of an espresso shot makes it “dirty”. The robust flavor of coffee gives the drink an extra kick of caffeine and a deeper, more complex flavor profile, that’s why it’s perfect for both coffee and tea lovers.
Dirty chai tea latte, also called red eye chai or Java chai, can be enjoyed any time of the day. It’s a great morning boost, an ideal afternoon pick-me-up, and a wonderful evening comfort if you aren’t sensitive to caffeine.
Serve it at fall brunch along with your favorite fall coffees and your guests will be hooked. Whether enjoyed solo or with others, dirty chai tea latte brings a cozy, warming experience to anyone who tries it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Preparing a dirty chai tea latte at home is easy with just a few ingredients and minimal effort. You can make a perfect cup just after a few practice tries.
- Bold and Flavorful: It combines the delicious spiced flavors of chai with the bold taste of espresso, creating a unique drink you can enjoy any day of the week.
- Warm and Comforting: A warm cup of dirty chai tea latte is truly comforting. It also gives you an extra caffeine kick, perfect for starting your day or getting through a mid-afternoon slump.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, spice level, and strength of the espresso to suit your personal taste.
- Versatile: Enjoy dirty chai tea latte at home while relaxing, with friends at brunch, or with family at gatherings.
- Budget-Friendly: You only need 5 simple and affordable ingredients to make this delicious drink. Make your own dirty chai tea latte and save money by skipping the pricier cafe versions!
How to Make Dirty Chai Tea Latte
Looking for a warm, indulgent treat you can easily make at home? Skip the coffee shop and whip up a cup of dirty chai tea latte in 10 minutes right in your kitchen!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Step-By-Step Instructions
It might take a little bit of practice at first, but making a dirty chai latte is simple and straightforward. Plus, you can whip it up in 15 minutes or less. Just follow the instructions below and you can’t go wrong!
Step 1: Steep The Tea Bags
Pour the water in a small saucepan and boil over medium high heat. Once water is boiling, turn off the heat and add the chai tea bags to the pan. Steep for 5 minutes. Don’t rush this step to ensure a full-bodied tea flavor.
Step 2: Make The Espresso
While waiting for the tea bags to steep, make the espresso or any strong coffee using your preferred method. Add the shots to two mugs.
Step 3: Add The Chai Tea
Once the 5 minutes of steeping time are up, remove the tea bags from the saucepan and discard. Pour the tea on top of the espresso, dividing equally between the two mugs.
Step 4: Add The Milk and Simple Syrup
Pour the milk and the simple syrup into the now empty saucepan and stir gently to mix the ingredients. Heat to 150 Fahrenheit over medium heat.
Step 5: Froth The Milk
Turn the heat off and froth the milk using a hand-held milk frother or a hand whisk. I learned how to use a milk frother wand just so I can make delicious lattes like this. Once you have created milk foam, let it rest for about 30 seconds before scooping into the mugs and serving.
The temperature of the milk does matter and can determine the quality of the foam. It’s best to measure using a thermometer. If you have to eyeball it, catch the milk before it simmers. There should be small bubbles forming around the outside.
Ingredient Substitutions
Homemade dirty chai latte uses simple ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen, but you can substitute in case you don’t have them or if you prefer another ingredient. Also, you can make simple changes to make fun variations of a dirty chai tea latte!
- Simple syrup: If you don’t have simple syrup, you can use maple syrup or 2 teaspoons of white sugar instead.
- Whole milk: If you prefer a dairy-free option or want to make the recipe vegan, you can substitute whole milk with dairy milk or any plant-based milk like almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk. Just remember that the type of milk you use will impact the richness and creaminess of the drink. I use whole milk because it makes the latte a lot richer in texture compared to dairy-free options.
Variations
Here are some fun ideas for dirty chai tea latte variations:
- Iced Dirty Chai Latte: Prep the chai tea and espresso the same way, but chill the tea and espresso first. Then, add it to a glass with ice and use cold milk, instead of steamed. You can also make a blended version by putting the ingredients together in a blender!
- Pumpkin Dirty Chai Latte: Instead of using regular chai tea, use pumpkin chai concentrate to transform this drink into a fall favorite. For a coffee-free version, replace the coffee with 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree and 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice.
- Vanilla Dirty Chai Latte: Add a bit of vanilla extract to the recipe to give it an instant upgrade.
- Dirty Matcha Latte: A fan of matcha tea? For a fun take on the recipe, make a matcha latte and add a shot of espresso to make sweet and creamy dirty matcha latte!
- Irish Dirty Chai: Turn your dirty chai tea latte into an adult beverage by adding 1 ounce of Irish whiskey to the recipe. Perfect for parties!
Expert Tips
- Use Fresh Ingredients: I recommend that you use high-quality chai tea bags. It’s the secret to a richer and more authentic the flavor. It’s also ideal to use freshly-brewed espresso to get the best bold coffee flavor.
- Adjust the Sweetness: Start with a small amount of simple syrup or sweetener of your choice and adjust the sweetness level as needed.
- Make It Filthy: Add another shot of espresso for an extra kick of caffeine. A dirty chai latte with 2 shots of espresso is referred to as a “filthy chai latte”, and I make it whenever I need an energy boost in the morning or going through an afternoon slump.
- Make It Party-Ready: When serving this drink at a party, I like to serve dirty chai tea latte in clear glasses to see the lovely separation of the ingredients. I add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg at the top for a nice visual touch.
How to Store This Recipe
Dirty chai tea latte is best served immediately. However, if you want to make it ahead, just make a big batch of the spiced tea, place it in an airtight container or glass jar, then refrigerate. When you’re ready to make a cup, warm 3/4 cup of the tea, add a shot of espresso, then froth 1/2 cup of milk.
What to Serve with Dirty Chai Tea Latte
For breakfast or brunch, a warm cup of dirty chai latte goes well with classics like pancakes, waffles, slow cooker oatmeal, overnight oats, and other make-ahead breakfast meals. Have it iced or blended while enjoying a midday snack or after-dinner dessert like banana bread, 3-ingredient cookies, or a slice of one of my 3-ingredient cakes.
More Delicious Chai Recipes To Try
If you’re a fan of chai tea like I am, you’ll love my other chai recipes! No dessert pairs better with dirty chai latte than dirty chai earthquake cookies – they’re a match made in chai heaven! Speaking of delicious desserts, cool down on a hot day with chai ice cream drizzled with simple chai syrup on top!
If you make this Dirty Chai Tea Latte, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Homemade Dirty Chai Latte Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Small saucepan
- 1 Hand-held milk frother or hand whisk
- 2 Mugs
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil the water In a small saucepan over medium high heat. Turn off the heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the espresso in an espresso maker or brew extra strength coffee. Add this to two mugs.
- After the 5 minute rest, remove the tea bags and discard. Add tea to the espresso by dividing the tea evenly between the two mugs.
- Add the milk and simple syrup to the saucepan. Heat the milk to 150 °F over medium heat.
- Use a hand-held milk frother or a hand whisk to froth the milk. Rest the foam for about 30 seconds.
- Once set, divide the foam evenly on top of the espresso chai liquid in each mug and serve.
Video
Notes
- Use high-quality chai tea and freshly-brewed espresso for a richer, more authentic flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness according to your taste. Start with a small amount of simple syrup, taste, and adjust as needed.
- Add an extra espresso shot for an extra kick of caffeine, perfect to energize you in the morning or get you out of an afternoon slump.
- Spice up your dirty chai latte with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a nice visual touch.
