This Iced Orange Cream Chai is the bright, citrusy Starbucks drink dropping summer 2026 — and honestly, it might be the most unexpected flavor combo of the summer. We're talking warm, spiced chai topped with a sweet, creamy orange cold foam that tastes like a dreamsicle met your favorite chai latte.
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The star of the show is that orange cold foam — silky, lightly sweet, and beautifully orange. It sits right on top of the iced chai and slowly melts in as you drink, giving you that perfect creamy-spiced-citrusy sip every single time.
This homemade version comes together in just 5 minutes using my Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate and a simple orange syrup made the same way as my Blood Orange Syrup — just swap blood oranges for regular oranges and you're good to go!
Whether you're loving the new summer Starbucks chai, or just want something bright, summery, and a little unexpected in your cup right now, this Iced Orange Cream Chai is about to be your new obsession. Let's make it!
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What Does The Iced Orange Cream Chai Taste Like?
This drink tastes like a creamsicle and a chai latte decided to become best friends — and the result is absolutely incredible. The chai base is warm and spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger — this chai with orange cold foam is a combination that's absolutely unlike anything else in the Starbucks lineup.
It's refreshing and fruity without being too sweet, and the combination of warm spices and bright orange flavor is surprisingly perfect. Think summer in a glass with just enough cozy chai vibes to make it feel special.
Love iced chai? You'd love my iced cherry chai, iced lavender cream chai, or the iced mango chai!
Why You'll Love This Starbucks Orange Cream Chai
- Ready in 5 minutes — Faster than any drive-through line, and so much more fun to make at home.
- Cheaper than Starbucks — New Starbucks drinks come with a premium price tag. This homemade version gives you the same gorgeous drink at a fraction of the cost!
- That orange cold foam is everything — Silky, sweet, citrusy, and that stunning orange color makes this drink look as good as it tastes.
- Totally customizable — Adjust the sweetness of your orange syrup chai, skip the food coloring, make it dairy-free — this recipe works however you want it to!
- A new Starbucks summer drink you don't have to wait for — This new Starbucks summer drink dropped in July 2026, but this homemade version means you can enjoy it anytime!
Ingredients Needed
This Iced Orange Cream Chai comes together with a handful of simple ingredients — here's what you'll need!
- Chai tea concentrate — The spiced, warming base of this drink. My Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate is incredible here and already perfectly sweetened.
- Milk of choice — Any milk works beautifully. The recipe uses 2%, but oat milk or whole milk both work great too.
- Heavy cream and whole milk — Together they give the orange cold foam its rich, silky, pourable texture.
- Orange syrup — The key to that bright, sweet orange flavor in the cold foam! Make it at home using the same method as my Blood Orange Syrup — just swap the blood oranges for regular oranges. So easy and so much better than store-bought!
- Orange food coloring — Totally optional, but it gives the cold foam that gorgeous, vibrant orange color that makes this drink look stunning. One or two drops is all you need!
Substitutions
- No homemade orange syrup? No problem! This orange syrup from Amazon is a great store-bought alternative that works perfectly in this recipe!
- No food coloring? No problem! Leave it out entirely — the drink still tastes absolutely amazing, it just won't have that vibrant orange color. Totally your call!
- Dairy-Free: Swap the heavy cream and whole milk in the cold foam for full-fat coconut cream and oat milk. It'll still be creamy and delicious!
- No homemade chai concentrate? Store-bought chai concentrate works great too! Just make sure it's already sweetened — most are. Check out my Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate recipe for the best results!
How to Make Iced Orange Cream Chai
This drink is incredibly easy — just three steps and you're done!
- Step 1 — Start with the orange cold foam. Combine the heavy cream, orange syrup, whole milk, and food coloring (if using) in a small jar or container. Froth with a milk frother for 10-20 seconds until the mixture is foamy and slightly thickened. Set it aside while you build the chai base.
- Step 2 — Fill a tall glass with ice, then pour in the chai concentrate. Add the milk of choice and give everything a good stir until well combined.
- Step 3 — Pour the orange cold foam over the top of the chai and enjoy right away!
Optional Variations
Want to mix things up? Here are a few fun ways to put your own spin on this drink!
- Orange Cream Chai Frappuccino — Blend the chai base with ice for a frozen, frappuccino-style version of this drink. So good on a hot day!
- Vanilla Orange Cream Chai — Add a pump of vanilla syrup to the chai base for a creamier, more dessert-like flavor that leans even more into the creamsicle vibes.
- Extra Citrusy — Add a squeeze of fresh orange juice to the chai base for an even more intense, bright orange flavor.
Recipe Success Tips
- Use a good quality chai concentrate. Since chai is the base of this drink, a flavorful, well-spiced concentrate makes all the difference. My homemade version is the best!
- Don't over-froth the cold foam. This foam only needs 10-20 seconds — just until it's foamy and slightly thickened. Over-frothing will make it too stiff to pour beautifully over the chai.
- Add the food coloring for that stunning orange color. It's totally optional, but one or two drops of orange food coloring makes this drink look absolutely gorgeous. Worth it for the photos alone!
- Make your orange syrup fresh. Freshly made orange syrup has a brighter, more vibrant flavor than store-bought. Use my Blood Orange Syrup method with regular oranges for the best results!
- Adjust the orange syrup to taste. Want it more citrusy? Add an extra half tablespoon of syrup to the cold foam. Prefer a subtler orange flavor? Scale back slightly.
FAQs
The Iced Orange Cream Chai is a Starbucks summer 2026 drink featuring iced chai tea topped with a sweet, creamy orange cold foam. This homemade copycat nails the flavor perfectly — and it's just as easy to make at home!
The Iced Orange Cream Chai launched at Starbucks in July 2026. Exact availability can vary by location, so check with your local store for details!
Absolutely! Swap the heavy cream and whole milk in the cold foam for full-fat coconut cream and oat milk, and use your favorite plant-based milk in the chai base. It'll still be creamy and delicious!
Yes, 100%! The food coloring is purely optional and only affects the color of the cold foam, not the flavor at all. The drink tastes exactly the same without it — it just won't have that vibrant orange hue. Skip it if you prefer to keep things all-natural!
Partially! You can prepare the orange syrup and chai base ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. The syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks, and the chai base for about 2 days. For the best texture and presentation, whip the cold foam just before assembling and serving.
Nutritional Info
Each serving of this Iced Orange Cream Chai comes in at 343 calories, with 51g of carbs, 50g of sugar, 14g of fat, and 6g of protein. It's a treat — but it's made with real, simple ingredients and tastes absolutely incredible!
If you're looking to lighten it up, try reducing the orange syrup by half. You'll still get that gorgeous citrusy flavor with a bit less sugar.
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 343 calories
- Total Fat: 14 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Sodium: 61 grams
- Carbohydrates: 51 grams
- Sugar: 14 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Chai Recipes
Iced Orange Cream Chai (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
Orange Cold Foam:
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 ½ tablespoon orange syrup see notes
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 1-2 drops orange food coloring (optional for orange color)
Iced Orange Cream Chai:
- ½ cup chai tea concentrate
- ½ cup milk of choice (I used 2%)
- ice
Instructions
- Make the orange cold foam: Add the heavy cream, orange syrup, milk, and food coloring (if using) to a small jar or container. Froth for 10-20 seconds with a milk frother, until foamy and thickened. Set aside.
- Make the iced chai: Pour ice into a tall glass, then top with the chai concentrate. Add the milk of choice, then stir.
- Top with the orange cold foam, then drink up!
Notes
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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