An iced chai tea latte recipe is the perfect fusion of bold black tea, aromatic spices, and creamy milk served over ice. It’s rich, slightly sweet, deeply spiced, and wonderfully refreshing—ideal for sipping on warm afternoons or as a flavorful pick-me-up. While chai lattes are a staple in cafes around the world, making your own iced version at home lets you control the sweetness, spice level, and quality of ingredients.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Bold and Flavorful: The spices in chai (like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves) make every sip warm, complex, and aromatic—even when served cold.
Customizable Sweetness and Strength: You can adjust how sweet or strong you like it.
Naturally Refreshing: Served over ice, it’s cooling and energizing.
Cheaper Than a Coffee Shop: Get your favorite café drink at home with ingredients you already have.
Ingredients List
Here’s everything you need to make an authentic iced chai tea latte:
For the Chai Concentrate
2 cups water
3 black tea bags (or 3 tsp loose leaf black tea)
2 whole cinnamon sticks
4 cardamom pods (slightly crushed)
4 whole cloves
1–2 slices fresh ginger
4–5 black peppercorns
1 star anise (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 tbsp brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
For the Latte
1 cup cold milk (dairy or plant-based like almond, oat, or soy)
Ice cubes
Ground cinnamon (optional, for garnish)
Timing & Servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 2 glasses
Step-by-Step Instructions for Iced Chai Tea Latte Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chai Concentrate
In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
Add all the spices—cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, peppercorns, and star anise.
Simmer for 5–7 minutes to let the spices infuse deeply.
Step 2: Add the Tea
Add the tea bags or loose tea and let steep for 5 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove spices.
Step 3: Sweeten and Add Vanilla
Stir in your sweetener of choice while the concentrate is still warm.
Add vanilla extract and let the chai concentrate cool to room temperature.
Step 4: Chill the Concentrate
Refrigerate the concentrate for at least 30 minutes or until thoroughly chilled.
You can also make this part a day in advance.
Step 5: Assemble the Iced Chai Latte
Fill a glass with ice.
Pour half chai concentrate and half cold milk into the glass (adjust ratio to taste).
Stir well and top with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired.
Tips for the Best Iced Chai Tea Latte
Use Fresh, Whole Spices
Whole spices provide more flavor than ground ones and keep the drink from becoming gritty.
Let It Chill Fully
Don’t rush the chilling process—hot concentrate over ice will dilute your drink too much.
Sweeten to Taste
Start with less sugar and add more if needed. Remember, store-bought versions are often very sweet.
Choose the Right Tea
Strong black teas like Assam, Darjeeling, or Ceylon work best for bold flavor that holds up to milk.
Variations to Try
Dirty Chai Latte (with Espresso)
Add a shot of chilled espresso to your iced chai for an extra caffeine boost and coffee flavor.
Vegan Chai Latte
Use oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk in place of dairy.
Sweeten with maple syrup or agave for a fully plant-based version.
Spiced Vanilla Chai
Add more vanilla and a pinch of nutmeg for a cozy, dessert-like twist.
Iced Chai with Coconut Milk
Coconut milk adds a slightly sweet, tropical taste that pairs beautifully with the spices.
Cardamom-Forward Chai
Double the cardamom pods if you love its floral, citrusy notes.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with Breakfast
Goes great with muffins, scones, banana bread, or oatmeal.
As an Afternoon Cooler
A perfect pick-me-up during hot afternoons or when you’re skipping coffee.
Dessert Companion
Serve alongside cookies, cakes, or creamy desserts like panna cotta or rice pudding.
For Entertaining
Make a larger batch of concentrate and let guests customize their lattes with ice and milk.
Make It Vegan and Dairy-Free
Use Plant-Based Milk
Oat milk is the creamiest alternative and froths well.
Almond, cashew, soy, and rice milk also work—just choose unsweetened.
Use Natural Sweeteners
Maple syrup or agave nectar are great plant-based options that dissolve easily.
Coconut Cream Topping
Whip coconut cream with vanilla and a touch of maple syrup for a dairy-free garnish.
Nutritional Overview (Approximate)
Per serving (with 2% milk and 1 tbsp honey):
Calories: 130
Fat: 2g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Sugar: 18g
Protein: 3g
Caffeine: ~45mg (depends on tea strength)
Note: Nutrition varies depending on milk and sweetener used.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Store Chai Concentrate
Store the chai concentrate in the fridge for up to 4–5 days in a sealed jar.
Shake or stir before using, as some separation may occur.
Prep in Bulk
Double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch for the week.
Just add milk and ice when ready to serve.
Freeze into Cubes
Pour concentrate into ice cube trays and freeze.
Use in future lattes for flavor without dilution.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought chai concentrate?
Yes, but homemade tastes fresher and allows better control over sweetness and spice levels. If using store-bought, dilute with milk and adjust sweetness to taste.
What milk froths best for iced chai lattes?
While frothing isn’t necessary for iced lattes, oat milk froths best if you want to add a foamy top. Whole milk and soy also froth well.
How much caffeine is in a chai tea latte?
It usually contains 40–50mg of caffeine per cup depending on the tea type and steep time—less than a coffee but enough for a gentle boost.
Can I make it sugar-free?
Yes. Simply skip the sugar or use a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.
What’s the difference between chai and chai latte?
“Chai” means tea in Hindi, usually referring to the spiced black tea drink in India. A “chai latte” includes more milk and is often Western-style, served frothy or cold like a coffee latte.
Conclusion
An iced chai tea latte recipe is a drink that satisfies all the senses—it’s cooling, creamy, rich in spices, and sweet without being overpowering. Making it at home allows you to personalize everything from the spice blend to the sweetness and the choice of milk. Once you try this easy, flavorful recipe, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most loved iced beverages in cafes and kitchens worldwide. It’s not just a drink—it’s a delicious ritual in a glass.