Vanilla Chai Tea Latte Recipe (Cozy, Creamy, and Homemade)

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If your idea of self-care is sipping something warm in your favorite mug while pretending the laundry doesn’t exist, this Vanilla Chai Tea Latte is your new best friend. It’s spicy, sweet, and just creamy enough to feel like a hug in a cup—without the sugar crash of a café drink.

Inspired by the Starbucks chai tea latte, this homemade version is smoother, more fragrant, and honestly? Better. No syrups, no mystery ingredients—just real spices, real tea, and a splash of vanilla to make it feel extra cozy.

Whether you’re recreating your Starbucks chai tea latte order at home or trying a new hot chai tea latte recipe for your morning routine, this one is simple, naturally sweetened, and can easily be made dairy-free or iced.

Why You’ll Love This Chai Tea Latte

• Made from real spices and black tea
• Easy to adjust the sweetness or milk
• Warm vanilla flavor makes it feel extra indulgent
• Cheaper and healthier than Starbucks drinks chai latte
• Looks gorgeous in your favorite coffee mug (yes, it matters)

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the chai concentrate:

• 2 black tea bags (or 1 tbsp loose leaf)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 tsp maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)

For the latte:

• 1 cup milk of choice (dairy, oat, almond, etc.)
• Optional: extra vanilla or cinnamon to sprinkle on top

Want it stronger? Add a pinch of black pepper or star anise to the mix for that classic chai tea latte aesthetic.

How to Make Your Vanilla Chai Tea Latte at Home

1. Brew the chai concentrate

In a small pot, bring the water and spices to a gentle simmer. Add the tea bags and simmer for about 5 minutes, longer if you like it strong. Remove tea bags, stir in maple syrup and vanilla. Taste and adjust sweetness.

2. Froth the milk

Warm your milk on the stove or in the microwave, then froth using a handheld frother, whisk, or even by shaking it up in a jar (carefully). The foamier, the better.

3. Assemble your latte

Pour the chai concentrate into your coffee mug, then top with warm milk and a spoonful of foam. Sprinkle cinnamon or drizzle a little extra maple syrup if you’re feeling indulgent.

4. Sip slowly and ignore everything else for five minutes.

Want the Starbucks Vibe?

This drink tastes like a cleaner version of the Starbucks iced chai tea latte recipe—just swap hot milk for cold and pour it all over ice. Add vanilla sweet cream or cold foam if you want to recreate a custom chai tea latte Starbucks order at home.

Make It Healthier

For a healthy chai tea latte, stick with unsweetened almond or oat milk, and use just a teaspoon of maple syrup or a few drops of stevia. You still get all the spice and creaminess, minus the sugar overload.

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