There’s something so comforting about the sweet spice blend swirling in a warm cup. This Homemade Chai Latte Recipe is just that—a cozy hug in a mug that you can whip up anytime without a fancy café trip. I promise, once you try it, you’ll be hooked.

Two white ceramic mugs filled with a frothy drink topped with a layer of light brown cinnamon powder on one side and a star anise placed in the center. The drink shows a fluffy white foam layer under the cinnamon, with small bubbles visible. The mugs are on a white marbled surface surrounded by round brown cookies with a coarse texture and a few cinnamon sticks and star anise pods scattered around. The lighting is bright and soft, highlighting the smoothness of the foam and the rustic texture of the cookies. 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

This Homemade Chai Latte Recipe has such a warm, inviting flavor that comes from fresh spices and real honey. I love it because it’s easy, customizable, and way more fragrant than anything store-bought.

Made with Real Spices: You get that heady aroma and bold flavor that only fresh cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom can deliver.
Sweetened Naturally: Using honey or maple syrup means no weird aftertaste, just pure, cozy sweetness.
Simple & Quick: Steeping the tea bags with spices creates an easy concentrate you can use anytime.
Totally Customizable: Swap your milk of choice—dairy, almond, oat—and make it vegan or creamy to your liking.

The image shows two white mugs filled with a creamy frothy drink. Each mug has a thick top layer of white foam sprinkled with light brown powder, likely cinnamon. On the center of the foam in each mug, a single star anise sits as decoration. The mugs have a smooth surface and a slight base color difference near the bottom. Around the mugs on a white marbled surface, there are several cinnamon sticks and more star anise scattered. In the background, a glass jar filled with cinnamon sticks is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe plays a key role in layering flavors for that signature chai experience. Plus, using good-quality spices and tea really makes a big difference, so I always recommend fresh or pre-ground spices from a trusted source.

Flat lay of a small pile of ground cinnamon, a small pile of ground ginger, a small pile of ground cardamom, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, two chai tea bags with paper tags visible, a simple white ceramic cup filled with steaming boiling water, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy milk, placed symmetrically and balanced 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 or Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners that mellow the spices without overpowering the blend.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a touch of sweetness, the backbone spice of chai.
Ground Ginger: Brings a subtle spicy kick and depth.
Ground Cardamom: That exotic kick that makes chai special—fragrant and slightly citrusy.
Boiling Water: Extracts all the flavor from the tea bags and spices during steeping.
Chai Tea Bags: Convenient yet full-bodied tea base—look for a quality blend.
Milk of Choice: Whether you prefer creamy whole milk or a dairy-free option like oat or almond, it makes your latte luscious.

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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

I love how versatile this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe is! Sometimes I need it sweeter, sometimes with extra foam—and you can absolutely tweak it to match your mood or dietary needs.

Variation: I often swap honey for maple syrup in fall, which adds a smoky depth I adore. And if you like it spicier, adding a pinch of black pepper or cloves amps up the warmth.
Dairy-Free: Almond or oat milk works superbly, especially oat milk for a creamier texture close to whole milk.
Extra Froth: If you have a milk frother, use it! I always froth my milk and it makes the chai feel extra special.

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

Step 1: Whisk together your spice blend with honey and boiling water

Start by adding the honey and spices—cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom—into a heatproof jar or large measuring cup. Pour in 2 cups of boiling water and whisk everything until the honey melts completely. This step helps the spices bloom so your chai latte gets that full, inviting aroma right from the start.

Step 2: Steep the chai tea bags for a flavorful concentrate

Drop in 2 chai tea bags and let them steep for at least 15 minutes. The longer, the better—the tea deepens and mellows, soaking up the warm spices you blended. I usually leave mine on the counter covered with a small plate to keep it warm and dust-free.

Step 3: Warm and froth your milk

While the concentrate steeps, warm your milk gently on the stove just until it starts to simmer—don’t boil it, or you risk scorching. If you have a milk frother, now’s the fun part! Froth about 1 cup at a time for a silky, creamy foam that’s absolutely crave-worthy. This little step elevates the chai latte to café-quality right at home.

Step 4: Assemble and savor your chai latte

Divide the warm, frothed milk between two mugs, then top each with 1 cup of your spiced chai concentrate. Give it a gentle stir so every sip tastes perfectly blended. Grab a cozy blanket and enjoy—you’ve earned it.

Top Tip

I’ve found that these tips really bring this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe to the next level, whether it’s your very first try or you’re making it a weekly ritual.

Fresh Spices Matter: Ground spices can lose potency fast, so using fresh or recently ground cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom really boosts flavor.
Steeping Time: Don’t rush the tea bags—15 minutes or more lets full flavor develop without bitterness.
Frothing Technique: Whether using a frother or a whisk, aim for nice bubbles that hold their shape but melt into creaminess.
Watch the Heat: Heating milk gently prevents burning and keeps the texture smooth—you’ll taste the difference right away.

How to Serve Homemade Chai Latte Recipe

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a tiny pinch of extra cinnamon or nutmeg on top for a festive touch. Sometimes, a few whole cardamom pods make a pretty garnish if I’m serving guests—it looks charming and smells amazing!

Side Dishes

This chai latte pairs beautifully with lightly spiced cookies or buttery shortbread. I also love it alongside a slice of banana bread or a warm scone—perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or breakfast moment.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve chai lattes in clear glass mugs to show off the layers of milk and spice concentrate. You can add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer or a dollop of whipped cream topped with a dusting of cinnamon for that little wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chai concentrate in a sealed container in the fridge, where it lasts 2 to 3 days. When I’m ready for another cup, I gently warm it up and mix with hot milk—it tastes just as fresh as the first day!

Freezing

Freezing chai concentrate isn’t something I usually do because I prefer the fresh spice aroma, but if you want to freeze it, do so in ice cube trays and thaw before reheating. Just know the flavor might mellow a little over time.

Reheating

Reheat your concentrate gently on the stove—avoid boiling. When you add hot milk afterward, you’ll still get that rich, warming chai flavor every time. I usually stir occasionally to prevent any settling of spices at the bottom.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Use about 2 teaspoons of loose leaf chai for every two cups of water. Steep it the same way, just strain before assembling your latte. It’s a great way to customize your chai experience even more.

What’s the best milk substitute for this recipe?

Oat milk is my go-to dairy-free choice because it froths well and adds a creamy texture similar to whole milk. Almond or coconut milk can work too, but might change the flavor slightly.

Can I make this recipe ahead for a crowd?

Yes, make the chai concentrate ahead and keep it chilled. When guests arrive, warm and froth your milk fresh, then stir in the concentrate. This saves time and keeps everyone happy with fresh, flavorful lattes.

How sweet is this chai latte and can I adjust it?

This recipe has a balanced sweetness from honey or maple syrup, but you can easily add more or less depending on your taste. When making for yourself, I often add a bit extra honey because I like it a touch sweeter.

Final Thoughts

Making this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe at home has become one of my favorite small joys, especially on chilly mornings or quiet evenings. It’s comforting, flavorful, and brings the kind of warmth only a good chai can offer. I’m excited for you to give it a try and make it your own—you won’t regret having this cozy ritual in your kitchen!