Iced Chai Tea Latte (Starbucks Copycat)

Cool off, perk up, and tantalize your taste buds with this Starbucks iced chai latte replica of the utterly delicious and beloved Iced Chai Tea Latte! Each sip boasts a blend of exotic flavors that are both refreshing and indulgent. Creamy milk is infused with energizing black tea, warming clove, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, star anise, black pepper, and ginger, with a hint of fragrant vanilla for a tasty any-time sipper.

I love a good trip to Starbees, but the pure joy and pride I feel when sipping on a homemade iced chai latte is unparalleled. Who knew a two-minute drink recipe could make me feel so accomplished?! And the taste is nothing short of caffeinated magic – it’s like a carnival for your palate with a dance of lively and spirited flavors. Four simple ingredients are all you need to be instantly transported to a state of delicious, invigorating bliss on a warm day!  

This iced chai latte recipe is a decadent combination of creamy milk, a chai blend full of zesty spices, stimulating black tea, and perfectly sweetened vanilla syrup. Served over ice in a tall glass, each sip will make you feel like you’re on a luxurious vacation. This is the drink you’ll be craving on hot summer days or when you need an upper during a mid-day slump. 

Iced chai tea has (approximately) less than half the caffeine of a regular cup of joe, making it an ideal option for when you want a more mellow boost. You know, instead of that extra cup of late afternoon coffee that will tip your caffeine scale to jitter zone overload. Whip up this indulgent treat as a morning or afternoon energizer alternative! The bonus: you’ll save money and time making the best iced chai latte at home instead of trekking to coffee shops – it takes two minutes. No, really!

What Is an Iced Chai Tea Latte?

My recreation of the Starbucks chai tea latte is a simple, flavor-packed melody of just four easy-to-find ingredients – store-bought concentrate chai, milk, vanilla, and ice. As they say, “Simplicity is bliss.” This couldn’t be more true of this creamy and satisfying treat!

My favorite chai tea concentrate for this ice chai latte is a blend of black tea, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, honey, and a hint of vanilla. I pair that with some homemade vanilla syrup to enhance the warming, smooth, and sweet flavors of the chai. Milk serves as a creamy base that perfectly complements and tempers the exciting flavors. All served over ice, this cold chai tea is the perfect drink for cooling off on a hot day or enjoying a flavorful treat any time of year. 

What does it taste like?

From the first cooling sip of this iced chai latte, you are greeted with a symphony of zesty spices that dance happily on your tongue. The prominent flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger are front and center, creating an aromatic experience that is both invigorating and comforting. A delicious sweetness with silky vanilla undertones delights your taste buds as a subtle brisk and malty black tea flavor adds a slight floral note and zing of energy. 

As the bold spiced chai tea flavors meld with the creaminess of the milk and the refreshing chill of the ice, the harmonious taste and texture create a luxuriously smooth and velvety mouthfeel. The pristine combination results in a perfectly balanced and satisfying flavor profile that will have you craving more! 

Why You’ll Love This Iced Chai Tea Latte Recipe

Here is why you will fall head over heels for this chai iced tea: 

• Exotic Flavor Fusion: Each sip of this perfectly spiced iced chai is an exciting flavor journey. Bold and aromatic chai spices are complemented by creamy rich milk and smooth vanilla syrup for a harmonious match made in caffeine heaven. 
• Easy as 1, 2, 3: Enjoy the convenience of making your own sensational beverage in the comfort of your home. No driving, no parking, no lines! This recipe requires only four simple ingredients and the process is nearly effortless, making your mornings easier and more delicious. 
• Chill Vibes: Beat the heat in style with this refreshing chilled tea latte. Served over glistening ice cubes, each sip is a moment of tasty bliss that will rejuvenate your spirit and cool down warm days.

Ingredients Needed

Here are the simple ingredients you will need to make this iced chai tea recipe. Prepare to lose yourself in a world of sensory delight:

• Vanilla Syrup - My homemade vanilla syrup recipe elevates this iced vanilla chai latte to another level! It is easy to prepare in a few minutes and makes a big batch that stores for up to two weeks so you can infuse your daily beverages, well for days, in one fell swoop.  
• Chai Tea Concentrate – A pre-made concentrate makes preparing this recipe incredibly easy. My go-to brand is this Oregon chai tea concentrate, made with simple ingredients and the perfect amount of sweetness and spice. Tazo chai concentrate is also good!  
• Milk – Choose your favorite milk, they all taste great! I love 2% milk or whole milk for a creamy, smooth texture and subtle sweetness. 
• Ice – Load your glass with large ice cubes for the best flavor experience. They melt slower giving you plenty of time to leisurely sip to your heart’s content without becoming overly diluted.

Substitutions

Can't find an ingredient or need a different option? No problem! Here are some simple switches you can make for each ingredient as needed:

• Vanilla Syrup – Swap the homemade version of vanilla syrup for 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. Or replace 1:1 with maple syrup for a hint of caramel sweetness, honey for a rich, floral sweetness, or simple syrup for a no-frills sweetness.  
• Chai Tea Concentrate – If you don’t want to wait on Amazon, make your own concentrate by brewing strong chai tea bags combined with ground cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, a splash of vanilla extract, and a sweetener of choice.
• Milk – Feel free to use any dairy or plant-based milk you prefer. If you choose a milk alternative, I recommend sticking with plain or vanilla-flavored milk for the most cohesive flavor. 
• Ice – Instead of regular ice, you can freeze masala chai tea concentrate in an ice cube tray to create flavor-packed cubes! The chai cubes will infuse the latte with extra flavor as they melt.

How to Make an Iced Chai Tea Latte At Home 

Roll out of bed and treat yourself to a sweet symphony of energizing flavors with this two-minute chai tea latte. Here’s how: 

Step One: Stack your cup. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Then pour in the vanilla syrup.  

Step Two: Top it off. Pour in the chai concentrate, then top it with milk. Give it a good stir, then serve!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, have no fear! Here are recipe adaptions you can make to enjoy your chai as you please:

• Dairy-Free/Vegan: Use plant-based milk like cashew milk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk to make this recipe dairy-free! The recommended chai concentrate is also vegan, so you can drink up worry-free. 
• Decaf: My recommended chai tea concentrate is also available in a caffeine-free version if you want the taste without a side of caffeine, or use another decaf alternative. 
• Extra Caffeinated: Make it a dirty chai latte by adding a shot of espresso! Or brew a strong black tea to add a more robust flavor and higher caffeine moment.  
• Sugar-free: You can purchase the sugar-free variation of the recommended chai tea concentrate and use a sugar-free vanilla syrup or make your own syrup with a sugar-free sweetener.  
• Additional Flavors: If you’re feeling creative, play with adding extra flavors depending on your mood like adding caramel syrup, cinnamon syrup, hazelnut syrup, or white chocolate syrup, or even a touch of honey.
• Hot: Easily turn this refresher into a warming drink for cooler days by heating the milk, chai concentrate, and vanilla and serving in a mug. 

Serving Suggestions

• Sunrise Serenade: Welcome the start of a new day with an iced chai in hand, the perfect companion for a peaceful morning on the front porch as you watch the sunrise. You’ll be fueled by sweet gusto whether you need sharp focus for work or energy for play. 
• Zen Garden Party: Create a tranquil oasis to host a magical garden party and serve your guests this refreshing iced latte and an assortment of tasty treats. Set up a low table surrounded by comfy cushions with a spread of mochi sweets, green tea-flavored cookies, and fresh fruit. 
• Chai Soiree: Gather your friends for a cozy evening around an outdoor fire pit, where the warmth of the flames and good conversation mirror the comforting embrace of this spiced chai latte. Serve alongside a build-your-own s’mores platter.

Recipe Success Tips

• High-quality ingredients go a long way. Elevate your chai experience by using premium ingredients. The recommended chai concentrate is one of my favorites for its rich flavors and the homemade vanilla syrup adds an artisanal quality. Or swap any of the suggested ingredients for high-brow alternatives. 
• Dress to impress. Make your latte a true work of art by garnishing it with a dollop of whipped cream, crystallized ginger, edible flowers like lavender, rose petals, or chamomile, a sprinkle of cinnamon or chai spice blend, a drizzle of caramel sauce, chocolate shavings, or a cinnamon stick. 
• Keep it chill. Store the chai concentrate, vanilla syrup, and of course, the milk in the refrigerator getting all ingredients nice and chilly before you build your latte. This will keep your drink cold and prevent it from melting too quickly when poured over ice. 
• Froth it up. Embrace your inner barista and froth the milk with an electric milk frother to add a delicious cold foam top layer and up the velvety elegant texture. 

FAQs

Homemade Iced Chai Tea Latte Nutrition

This single-serving chai recipe has a total of 215 calories, making it a relatively light treat calorically speaking. It is also low in fat with just 3 grams per serving that comes from the 2% milk – the other ingredients in this recipe are fat-free! If you use fuller-fat milk just keep in mind it will increase the total fat content. 

This latte is also on the lower end of sodium intake with 88 mg per serving. When it comes to carbohydrates, it is on the higher end with 45 grams per serving, which mostly comes from the chai concentrate and the vanilla syrup. Sugar accounts for 42 grams of that. So it is a bit of a sweet-treat splurge. 

If you want a lower-carb, lower-sugar drink, you can use the sugar-free version of chai concentrate and vanilla extract instead of vanilla syrup or a sugar-free vanilla syrup. Also, if you opt for a plant-based milk alternative, keep in mind that it can add carbs, sugar, or fat content depending on the type you use.

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 215 calories
• Total Fat: 3 grams
• Protein: 4 grams
• Sodium: 88 mg
• Carbohydrates: 45 grams
• Sugar: 42 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.

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5 from 2 votes

Iced Chai Tea Latte (Starbucks Copycat)

Elevate your morning or afternoon tea time with this zesty Iced Chai Tea Latte made with creamy milk, spice-infused black tea, and homemade vanilla syrup. This two-minute, four-ingredient recipe is the perfect refreshing sipper!

Prep Time2 minutes mins

Total Time2 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Iced Chai Tea Latte

Servings: 1 drink

Calories: 215kcal

Author: Megan Byrd

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon vanilla syrup (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
• ½ cup chai tea concentrate
• ½ cup milk of choice (I used 2% milk)
• Ice

Instructions

• Add ice to a tall glass, then pour in the vanilla syrup or vanilla extract.
• Add the chai concentrate, then top with milk. Stir, then serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 88mg | Sugar: 42g

xoxo Megan