Iced Chai Tea Latte Recipes To Help You Celebrate Summer

You don't have to run to Starbucks or some other fancy coffeeshop to make tasty iced teas. In fact, you can make an exquisite iced chai tea latte right at home using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

Homemade chai is a great way to enjoy this tasty treat on your own terms. You can use the recipe to mix things up and make small changes that have big flavor impacts. You can opt for whole milk for rich, creamy texture or a dairy-free option like coconut milk for a tropical vibe.

Sweeteners like brown sugar and cane sugar make it easier for you to choose how delectable you want to make this beverage. You can even add a dollop of ice cream for an indulgent drink.

Our basic recipe lets you put whatever spin you want to put on it. We've put together this tasty recipe so you can enjoy all the flavors summer has to offer with a yummy drink to match.

What Is Chai?

Chai tea is a repetitive term. In India, chai simply means "tea". In America, chai has come to represent a tasty beverage known as masala chai. It's a tea made using a black tea base and is livened up with the addition of spices. In some cases, green tea is substituted for the black tea leaves.

Most masala chai blends include five staple spices: cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Other spices such as star anise and allspice can be added for different flavor variations. The flavor is similar to your favorite coffee recipes including iced coffee and cold brew coffee.

Chai is traditionally brewed as a hot beverage and consumed in the company of friends and family. The tea has strong connections to important ceremonies and social events across Asia. The tea tastes even better when brewed as an iced tea. The warm spices are contrasted by a cool refreshing effect that makes this drink the hit of the summer. Find out how to brew this tasty beverage with our delicious iced chai latte recipe below.

Iced Chai Tea Latte Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spring or filtered water
• 2 tablespoons loose leaf black tea (Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, or Island Coconut Black Tea for tropical taste)
• 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy options such as almond milk or coconut milk)
• 8 cardamom pods
• 8 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (finely sliced)
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Sweeten using brown sugar or cane sugar
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Finely chop all spices using a spice grinder or by placing the ingredients in a blender. You can also use pre-ground spices though they will be less flavorful than freshly ground options.
2. Bring water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan on the stove.
3. Set aside the milk and ice cubes. Add all other ingredients to the boiling water and turn heat to low. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the tea leaves and larger fragments of the spices.
5. Let the tea concentrate cool until it reaches room temperature and then pour it into a large glass pitcher.
6. Serve immediately over ice cubes or let the mixture cool further in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Add 2 parts of the tea mixture and 1 part milk to each glass when serving. Stir well and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Cool off With Iced Chai Tea Lattes

Swap out the hot drinks and enjoy the refreshing breeze of summer with iced teas. You can opt for slow cold brew varieties or simply use hot water to brew a batch of iced tea in just a few minutes. Tea bags make tea brewing a snap, but use loose leaf tea to maximize flavor and quality.

Chai concentrates are also an option for ease and if you're on a time crunch, but the best chai tea lattes are the ones you can make from scratch. If you're really short on time, check out our blend of loose leaf black tea and chai spices for better flavor instead of reaching for a concentrate. Choose spices you adore and blend them with black tea leaves and your choice of milk to make an exquisite drink you can enjoy poolside or on the road to your vacation.