Vanilla Chai Latte Recipe: Easy and Delicious

Craving a cozy, homemade Vanilla Chai Latte? This recipe delivers a rich and fragrant blend of spiced milk and black tea, perfect for warming up your day. Using whole spices and real vanilla, it creates a velvety-smooth drink without the grit of ground spices. Customize it with your choice of milk or plant-based alternatives for a comforting, café-quality treat right at home!

We have a few other beverage recipes that are perfect for self-care mornings including mulled apple cider, homemade eggnog, and cinnamon vanilla latte.

Vanilla Chai Latte Recipe

Easy and Delicious Vanilla Chai Latte Ingredients

• 3 c. whole milk
• 2 T. cardamom pods
• 1 T. whole allspice
• 1 T. whole cloves
• 5-6 whole star anise
• 3-4 – 2 inch cinnamon sticks
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1 t. real vanilla extract
• 2-3 T. honey (adjust to suit personal preference)
• 3 black tea bags, preferably organic 

You’ll find these kitchen tools useful:

• Meat mallet, I like having a double-sided tenderizer in the kitchen, it has numerous uses when cooking and baking
• Chai spice blend, if you are unable to find the individual spices for the recipe you can purchase blends online that produce the same outcome

Latte Directions

1. Pour milk into a large skillet set over slightly less than medium heat so the milk doesn't scald.
2. Place the cardamom pods, allspice, and cloves in a plastic bag and place on a cutting board. Gently pound on the spices with a meat mallet or rolling pin just until they crack. (They should remain mostly whole, but opened up a bit).
3. Add the cracked spices, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, vanilla extract, and honey to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer until the milk is very warm and fragrant, approximately 5-6 minutes, then add the tea bags to brew for another 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and discard the tea bags, squeezing first to release as much flavor as possible. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, reserving the liquid. Discard the solids and divide two-thirds of the remaining liquid between individual serving mugs and set aside.
5. Pour the remaining mixture into a blender and blend on high for 1-2 minutes, or until a nice foam develops.
6. Divide the liquid from the blender among the serving mugs and top off each with a big spoonful of foam. Sprinkle with some ground cinnamon and garnish with a star anise, if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Tip: Make sure the blender cap is properly vented to prevent the hot liquid from exploding.

This Vanilla Chai Latte is easy to make and full of warming spices that make every sip a delight. Adjust the sweetness to your liking and experiment with different milk options for your perfect cup. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or star anise for an extra special touch. Cozy up and enjoy this homemade classic!

Vanilla Chai Latte

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Servings 4 6 oz

Ingredients

  

• 3 c. whole milk
• 2 T. cardamom pods
• 1 T. whole allspice
• 1 T. whole cloves
• 5-6 whole star anise
• 3-4 2 ” cinnamon sticks
• 2- inch piece fresh ginger peeled and chopped
• 1 t. real vanilla extract
• 2-3 T. honey adjust to suit personal preference
• 3 black tea bags preferably organic

Instructions

 

• Pour milk into a large skillet set over slightly less than medium heat so the milk doesn't scald.
• Place the cardamom pods, allspice, and cloves in a plastic bag and place on a cutting board. Gently pound on the spices with a meat mallet or rolling pin just until they crack. (They should remain mostly whole, but opened up a bit).
• Add the cracked spices, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, vanilla extract, and honey to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer until the milk is very warm and fragrant, approximately 5-6 minutes, then add the tea bags to brew for another 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and discard the tea bags, squeezing first to release as much flavor as possible. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, reserving the liquid. Discard the solids and divide two-thirds of the remaining liquid between individual serving mugs and set aside.
• Pour the remaining mixture into a blender and blend on high for 1-2 minutes, or until a nice foam develops.
• Divide the liquid from the blender among the serving mugs and top off each with a big spoonful of foam. Sprinkle with some ground cinnamon and garnish with a star anise, if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

Make sure the blender cap is properly vented to prevent the hot liquid from exploding.