Imagine wrapping your hands around a warm mug that's bursting with fragrant spices and sweet honey—this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe is exactly that cozy hug in a cup. It’s a simple way to bring a bit of café magic into your kitchen, perfect for chilly mornings or any moment that calls for something special.

The image shows two white mugs filled with a creamy drink topped with frothy foam. Each mug has a layer of light brown cinnamon powder covering about half the surface of the foam, and a single star anise is placed in the center of the cinnamon area. The mugs sit on a white marbled surface surrounded by brown cookies and some cinnamon sticks, adding a cozy and warm feeling to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Chai Latte Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Chai Latte Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Chai Latte Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this homemade chai latte at home—I was hooked immediately. It’s more than just a warm drink; it’s the perfect balance of spices and sweetness, and knowing that you crafted it yourself makes every sip feel like a little celebration.

Comfort in a Cup: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom creates an inviting aroma that feels like a warm blanket on a cold day.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a long list of fancy spices – these pantry staples work together beautifully.
Easy to Customize: You can adjust sweetness, milk type, or steep time to make it exactly how you like it.
Make Ahead Friendly: The chai concentrate stores well for a couple of days, making mornings so much smoother.

Two white ceramic mugs sit on a white marbled surface, each filled with a creamy frothy drink. The drinks have a thick foam layer on top, dusted with a smooth layer of warm brown cinnamon powder that covers about half of the foam’s surface. At the center of each foam layer rests a star anise, adding a decorative touch with its star shape and dark brown color. Cinnamon sticks and additional star anise pieces are scattered softly around the mugs, and a clear glass jar holding cinnamon sticks is blurred in the background. The scene is cozy and inviting, with neutral and warm tones surrounding the bright, white mugs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe plays a key part in creating that warm, spicy hug you’re after. Using common spices found in most kitchens makes this recipe approachable, and picking good-quality honey or your favorite milk adds your own personal touch.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cardamom, a white ceramic mug with two chai tea bags steeping in hot water, a white ceramic bowl of fresh whole milk, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Honey: I love honey for its natural sweetness and subtle floral notes, but maple syrup is a lovely alternative if you prefer.
Ground Cinnamon: This spice adds warmth and a sweet earthiness that’s essential for chai.
Ground Ginger: A little zing that balances the sweetness and adds a comforting spiciness.
Ground Cardamom: The star spice that gives chai its distinctly exotic and aromatic flavor.
Boiling Water: Perfect for steeping the tea and releasing all those lovely spice flavors.
Chai Tea Bags: Using good-quality chai tea bags ensures that intense chai flavor without needing extra ingredients.
Milk of Choice: Whether you prefer creamy whole milk, frothy oat, or nut-based milks, feel free to swap—each adds its own personality.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. You can dial up the spices for a bolder taste or go lighter if you're new to chai flavors. I also like adding a dash of vanilla or switching up the sweetener depending on the season.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap the ground spices for a chai spice blend for convenience—still delicious and saves prep time.
Dairy-Free: Using coconut or almond milk works wonderfully, and it even adds a little extra flavor twist.
Less Sweet: If you want to keep it lighter, just reduce the honey or use unsweetened milk.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Chai Latte Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chai Concentrate

Start by adding your honey and spices—cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom—into a heat-proof jar or measuring cup. Pour in the boiling water and whisk or stir well until all the honey dissolves. Then, pop in the chai tea bags and let them steep for at least 15 minutes. This step is key—the longer you steep, the richer the flavor!

Step 2: Storing Your Concentrate

If you’re not ready to drink it right away, just let the concentrate cool to room temperature, then store it in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days. This save-ahead step has saved me more mornings than I can count!

Step 3: Heat and Froth Your Milk

When you’re ready to enjoy, gently warm your milk on the stove until it’s steaming but not boiling. If you have a milk frother (I highly recommend investing in one), froth about 1 cup of milk at a time—this adds that creamy, café-quality texture that makes every sip special.

Step 4: Combine and Sip

Divide the frothed milk evenly between two mugs, scoop the chai concentrate on top (about 1 cup per mug), give it a gentle stir, and enjoy that perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and creaminess.

Top Tip

After making this recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really elevate your Homemade Chai Latte Recipe. These little adjustments make a big difference in flavor and texture.

Fresh Spices: Using fresh, high-quality ground spices or grinding whole spices yourself makes the chai pop with flavor.
Steep Time: Don’t rush the steeping! Giving the tea bags enough time allows the spices to infuse fully with the water.
Warm, Not Boiling Milk: Heating your milk gently avoids bitterness and keeps the creaminess smooth.
Frothing Makes a Difference: Frothing milk isn’t just for looks; it adds a silky texture that you’ll appreciate with every sip.

How to Serve Homemade Chai Latte Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little cinnamon or freshly ground nutmeg on top – it looks inviting and adds a tiny extra boost of spice. Sometimes, a star anise or a cinnamon stick makes a pretty stirrer and a fragrant finish.

Side Dishes

Pairing your chai latte with buttery cookies, almond biscotti, or even a slice of banana bread makes for a delightful afternoon treat or breakfast combo.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served this homemade chai latte in rustic mugs with little cloth napkins tied with twine for cozy gatherings—it adds a personal, inviting touch that guests always appreciate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The chai concentrate can be stored in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to pour it into a glass bottle—I find it keeps the flavors fresh and makes it easy to grab and mix quickly in the morning.

Freezing

I haven't personally frozen the chai concentrate much, but I imagine freezing in ice cube trays could be a handy way to save portions and thaw as needed without losing flavor.

Reheating

When reheating leftover chai latte, I suggest warming slowly on the stove rather than microwaving. This keeps the milk smooth and prevents any separation of the chai spices and tea.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use loose-leaf chai instead of tea bags?

Absolutely! If you have loose-leaf chai, just steep about one tablespoon in the boiling water for at least 15 minutes, then strain before mixing with milk.

What milk works best for chai lattes?

You can use any milk you prefer! Whole milk creates a rich and creamy texture, but oat and almond milk are great dairy-free options that froth well and add unique flavors.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Simply replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar and choose a plant-based milk like oat, soy, or almond to make a delicious vegan chai latte.

How long can I store the chai concentrate?

The chai concentrate keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it’s stored in an airtight container to maintain the best flavor and freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Chai Latte Recipe has become my go-to comfort drink when I want something warm, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. It's simple enough to whip up on a whim but special enough to feel like a little treat. I’m confident you’ll enjoy crafting it as much as sipping it—so grab those spices and give it a try in your kitchen soon!