Eggnog Chai Latte (Hot or Iced)

Sweet, spicy, creamy deliciousness awaits with my easy Eggnog Chai Latte. Whether you prefer it hot or iced, this 2-ingredient Starbucks copycat recipe is the seasonal sipper your afternoons have been missing!

I remember the first time I tried an iced chai latte in college, at the behest of a friend. The flavor was incredible! A smattering of warming spices, a gentle hit of tannic black tea, plenty of sugar, and a delightful milkiness—it was like dessert in a cup. It immediately became my favorite study partner (though it inevitably became a dirty chai during finals week, because CAFFEINE).

So, it’s no wonder to me that Starbucks, in all it’s infinite creative wisdom, has found ways to transform this Indian staple drink into fun new flavors. There’s the iced apple crisp chai, iced pumpkin cream chai, and iced gingerbread oat milk chai—each as delicious a twist on the cozy, spicy flavors as the last.

Eggnog is just such a worthy pairing for masala chai, boasting the warm sweetness of nutmeg and cinnamon alongside the heat of cloves. It’s creamier and more decadent than milk, just what we workin’ mamas deserve during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Cheers to sugar, spice, and everything nice!

Jump to:

• What is a Chai Eggnog Latte?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Chai Latte Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make A Hot Eggnog Chai Latte
• How To Make An Iced Eggnog Chai Latte
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Homemade Starbucks Eggnog Chai Latte Nutrition
• Other Chai Recipes
• Eggnog Chai Latte (Hot or Iced)

What is a Chai Eggnog Latte?

First, let’s break down what a chai is. Many folks refer to it as “chai tea,” but this is actually redundant. Chai is the Hindi word for “tea.” In truth, it should be called masala chai, which roughly translates to “spiced tea.” (Masala is the Hindi word for spice blends.) The original blend of spices dates back 5,000 years, though actual tea wasn’t used—it was an herbal tisane.

During the early British colonization of the Indian tea trade, the prices of black tea rose. To make it more financially available to lower-paid workers, it was mixed with the same bevy of cozy spices and softened with creamy milk—and thus the chai latte was born. In this fun wintry twist, we keep the warmly spiced tea but trade out the milk in favor of eggnog—a thick, creamy holiday “milk punch” made from milk, cream, eggs, and spices.

What does it taste like?

Thanks to the richness of eggnog, I think this homemade chai latte tastes almost like melted vanilla-spice ice cream. The primary spices in the milky mix—nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves—echo and amplify the flavors in the spiced chai concentrate. You’ll also taste some lingering notes of cardamom, ginger, star anise and perhaps some black pepper depending on the chai mix you use. It’s sweet, creamy, cozy deliciousness!

Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Chai Latte Recipe

• Quick & Easy - With only 2 ingredients, this at home chai latte is impossible to goof up. Plus, with so many dairy-free eggnog options on the market these days, there are tons of ways to make it work for you and your dietary needs!
• Low Octane - This eggnog chai is perfect for when you need a little extra pep in your step, but aren’t ready for the full-on buzz of espresso. In fact, it’s so low in caffeine that I’ll even share with my kindergartener.
• Budget-Friendly - There’s no need to shell out $5+ for a single tea latte, folks. You can easily make your own at home for just a fraction of the cost!

Ingredients Needed

As promised, this creamy chai eggnog combo is as simple as it gets:

• Eggnog - Feel free to use any variety, either homemade or store-bought.
• Chai Tea Concentrate - You can buy cartons of the stuff at most any grocery store these days, but making your own is also super quick, simple, and cheap.
• Whipped Cream and/or Nutmeg - Optional garnishes in case you want to make your tea time extra special.

Substitutions

There aren’t many ingredients to start with, but here are a few swaps to try:

• Eggnog - Horchata, a warmly spiced Mexican rice drink, would be a lovely alternative! Boozy Puerto Rican coquito would also be super yummy for an adults-only version.
• Chai Tea Concentrate - In a pinch, you can make very strongly brewed spiced chai and add sweetener to taste after the fact if needed. Check out my London Fog recipe for an idea of how to make this tea latte without concentrate.
• Whipped Cream and/or Nutmeg - Feel free to omit these, or swap in the coffee toppers of your choice. Eggnog cold foam would be a great alternative on an iced version!

How To Make A Hot Eggnog Chai Latte

This Starbucks copycat recipe is so simple, it’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Step 1: Add the eggnog and chai concentrate to a small saucepan. 

Step 2: Heat over medium-low heat until steaming (do not boil). 

Step 3: Assemble. Remove from heat and pour into a mug. Garnish with whipped cream and/or nutmeg if desired and drink up!

How To Make An Iced Eggnog Chai Latte

Making a frosty version of this Christmas-y drink is even easier. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Pour. Add ice to a tall glass, then pour the chai concentrate and eggnog over the ice. 

Step 2: Stir, then garnish with whipped cream and/or nutmeg if desired. Drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Vegan/Dairy-Free - There are plenty of vegan nog options on the market these days, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding one that suits your diet. 
• Reduced Sugar - You can easily make sugar-free chai concentrate if you like, or swap in a store-bought version if you can find it. I haven’t seen many options for sugar-free eggnog, but you may get lucky there, too!
• Lite - Opt for low-fat or nonfat eggnog, or swap in a lower calorie plant-based alternative to cut the fat. You can also omit the optional whipped cream topping!

Serving Suggestions

Transform your eggnog chai latte into the star of any occasion with these creative serving ideas:

• Holiday Gatherings: Heat up a big batch of these cozy chai eggnogs in a slow cooker and set it on your bar for your next holiday party. Don’t forget to set out your favorite spirits; whiskey, brandy, or spiced vodka would all work well.
• After Dinner Delight: Serve this eggnog chai latte as a decadent dessert drink. Pair it with a plate of chewy molasses spice cookies or a slice of gingerbread for a delightfully spiced companion.
• Breakfast or Brunch: Surprise your family with this spiced latte alongside your breakfast or brunch spread. It’s especially delightful with French toast or pancakes, or anything sweet and cinnamon-y.
• On-the-Go Cozy – Pour your eggnog chai latte into a thermos to sip while running holiday errands or walking through festive light displays. Tis the season!
• Holiday Movie Night – Whip up a batch for a cozy Christmas movie marathon; it’s the perfect pairing for classic holiday films and fuzzy blankets. She’s a beaut, Clark!

Recipe Success Tips

• Warm, Don’t Boil the eggnog mixture. Heating it too much can cause the emulsion to break, leaving you with a weird, separated mess.
• You Can Froth If You Want To. Feel free to use your milk frother to froth the steamed eggnog mixture. It’s the perfect way to add a foamy topper without adding whip!
• Know Your Concentrate. Different chai concentrates have different levels of sweetness. Make sure to start small, then add more to taste if needed.

FAQs

Homemade Starbucks Eggnog Chai Latte Nutrition

There’s no doubt about it—this sweet holiday drink is a serious treat. With each serving totaling just under 300 calories and 9 grams of fat, it is quite decadent. Not surprising, considering it’s made with eggnog! On the plus side, you do get a nice little bump of protein—4 grams isn’t a ton, but it’s better than none at all. 

90 milligrams of sodium is also pretty minimal in the grand scheme of things. The real thing to keep your eye on here are the carbs—49 grams per drink, with 43 coming from added sugars. I’ve offered ideas on how to cut back on sugar in the variations section above. 

Overall, I’d say stick to serving this eggnog chai latte for special occasions, and try to pair it with a high-fiber snack to help prevent any big spikes in your blood sugar. Enjoy!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 293 calories
• Total Fat: 9 grams
• Protein: 4 grams
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Carbohydrates: 49 grams
• Sugar: 43 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

xoxo Megan