DIRTY CHAI TEA LATTE

This dirty chai tea latte is a delicious fusion of bold flavors! It blends the robust essence of espresso with the aromatic spices of traditional chai tea, creating a harmonious blend of rich coffee and fragrant spices. This dirty chai latte is also vegan-friendly! It’s made with creamy vanilla almond milk and is lightly sweetened with maple syrup. Whether enjoyed as your morning coffee or a cozy afternoon treat, this dirty chai latte is a must-try for coffee and chai lovers. We believe its homemade charm surpasses even the popular Starbucks version.

Why You Will Love This Dirty Chai Latte

• It is easy to make with a black chai tea bag, milk, and espresso.
• This dirty chai latte is full of rich and delicious flavors.
• We like using a chai tea bag rather than chai tea concentrate to control the sweetness.
• This is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up or cozy morning beverage.
• It is the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
• It is an indulgent beverage that you can easily customize.
• This is an ultimate Starbucks copycat lightened up and made simple.

What Is A Dirty Chai Latte?

A dirty chai tea latte is a variation of a traditional chai tea latte with an added shot of espresso. This dirty chai latte combines black tea, spices, almond milk, and espresso. The addition of espresso in a dirty chai latte adds a bold flavor to the already spiced and creamy chai. Also, the espresso differentiates this from a traditional chai latte, which does not contain espresso. The name “dirty” comes from the addition of coffee, which darkens the drink’s appearance and puts a spin on the classic recipe. This dirty chai tea latte is easy to make and comes together quickly with a chai tea bag and your favorite milk.

Ingredients Needed

• Milk: Use your milk of choice in this recipe. I like using unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
• Chai Tea Bag: Use one black chai tea bag.
• Cinnamon: The ground cinnamon adds even more flavor.
• Vanilla: A small splash of vanilla extract for flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Sweeten this dirty chai latte with maple syrup, sugar-free maple syrup, or your sweetener of choice.
• Espresso: The espresso makes this a dirty chai latte!

How To Make A Dirty Chai Tea Latte

Step 1: Pour the unsweetened vanilla almond milk into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium-low heat on the stove until the milk is hot. Whisk it occasionally and be careful not to scald the milk.

Step 2: Once the milk is hot, remove the saucepan from the heat and add the black chai tea bag. Let the tea bag steep in the milk for at least five minutes.

Step 3: Remove the tea bag from the saucepan. Then, add the cinnamon, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Next, whisk the ingredients and reheat the mixture over low heat on the stove.

Step 4: Pour the espresso into a mug. Then, pour the chai-infused almond milk mixture into the mug.

Step 5: Give the mixture a gentle stir to combine the ingredients and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this dirty chai latte in a mug after making it while it is warm. Or, you can serve it iced by pouring it over a glass filled with ice cubes. Enjoy it as is or add some optional toppings. Some topping ideas are whipped cream, frothed milk, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. You can add a star anise on top for presentation purposes.

Expert Tips

• Let The Tea Steep: Allow the chai tea bag to steep in the milk long enough to infuse it with the most possible flavor.
• Make It Vegan: You can make this dirty chai tea latte dairy-free and vegan by using your favorite plant-based milk, such as almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
• Thoroughly Whisk: Make sure to whisk all the ingredients in the saucepan.
• Mix The Latte: Mix this dirty chai latte before serving to combine the espresso with the other ingredients.
• Don’t Scald The Milk: Whisk the milk as it heats in the saucepan so it doesn’t burn or scald.
• Adjust The Sweetness: You can adjust the amount of sweetener you add to this dirty chai latte to your liking.

Dirty Chai Tea Latte Variations

• Add More Espresso: Add two espresso shots instead of one for more caffeine and a stronger espresso flavor.
• Use Your Milk Of Choice: Make this dirty chai tea latte with any milk. Some options are unsweetened vanilla almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, low-fat milk, 2% milk, whole milk, or your favorite.
• Sweeteners: You can sweeten this dirty chai any way you like. We like the flavor maple syrup adds. Some other options are sugar-free maple syrup, sugar, honey, brown sugar, or your sweetener of choice.
• Cinnamon Substitution: You can substitute the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice.
• Add Another Tea Bag: If you want a stronger chai flavor, add another tea bag.
• Chai Spices: You can add additional chai spices if you want. Some options are a pinch of ground nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom for another layer of flavor. However, don’t add more than a pinch as the chai tea bag contains spices and we added more cinnamon.
• Use Coffee Instead: You can use 1/4 cup of brewed coffee instead of espresso in this recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Dirty Chai Latte Iced?

Yes, you can enjoy this dirty chai latte hot or iced. To serve it iced, pour it over a glass filled with ice.

Does A Dirty Chai Latte Have Caffeine?

Yes, a dirty chai latte contains caffeine. The caffeine comes from the combination of the espresso and black tea. A dirty chai latte contains more caffeine than a traditional chai latte because it has a shot of espresso. You can use decaffeinated espresso or coffee to reduce the amount of caffeine.

Can I Use Coffee Instead Of Espresso?

Yes, you can substitute the espresso in this recipe for 1/4 cup of strong brewed coffee. Brew the coffee using your preferred method. Or, you can use cold brew.

Is A Dirty Chai Latte Healthy?

This dirty chai tea latte is healthier than many others. We used unsweetened vanilla almond milk for a non-dairy option and you can adjust the sweetener to taste. Also, you can use your favorite sweetener or a sugar-free alternative.

What Does A Dirty Chai Latte Taste Like?

A dirty chai latte is a delicious beverage that combines the traditional flavors of a chai latte with the rich, bold flavors of espresso. It has a complex flavor profile. The spices in the chai tea bag such as cardamon, cinnamon, and ginger add warmth and depth to the drink. The espresso adds a robust and slightly bitter flavor with a caffeine kick. It is perfect for those who enjoy both chai tea lattes and coffee.

More Recipes To Try Next!

• Chai Latte
• Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Mocha Frappuccino Starbucks Copycat
• Healthy Hot Chocolate
• Easy Fruit-Infused Water

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.