Description
Here’s how to make a Dirty Chai Latte at home! This espresso drink has the best warm-spiced flavor and frothy foam top.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 teaspoon Homemade Chai Spices
- 1 cup water
- 1 bag black tea (or 1 teaspoon loose leaf black tea in a tea strainer)
- 4 ounces espresso or strong coffee, made using your favorite method
- 1/2 cup fresh 2% milk (or whole milk)*
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or simple syrup)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium high heat, whisk together chai spices, water and tea bag and bring to a boil. Once boiling, remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for 1 minute.
- Meanwhile, make the espresso in an espresso maker (or the Aeropress). Add the espresso to one large or two small mugs.
- After the 1 minute rest, strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer** into the mug(s).
- Rinse the saucepan. Add the milk and maple syrup. Heat the milk to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (measure using a thermometer): this is hot with some small bubbles forming around the outside, but not simmering. The exact temperature is helpful for getting the perfect foam (if you don’t have a thermometer you can approximate).
- Use hand frother, whisk, or French press to foam the milk. (The French press is a favorite method: Add the scalding milk to the French press and pump vigorously until frothy, about 100 times for 2% milk or approximately 1 minute; use 50 times for whole milk.) Rest the foam for about 30 seconds, which allows it to set. Go to How to Froth Milk if it’s your first time frothing.
- Pour the milk and foam evenly between the mug(s). Sprinkle with additional chai spices and serve.
Notes
*Fresh milk is best for getting a nice frothy foam. You may find that a container of milk that has been open for several days will no longer froth. For vegan, make our Vegan Chai Latte using oat milk and add 4 ounces espresso.
**You can skip straining if desired: the spices will settle to the bottom of the drink.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
