There’s something so comforting about a warm, spiced drink on a chilly afternoon. This Homemade Chai Latte Recipe brings together sweet honey, fragrant spices, and creamy milk into one cozy cup that’s both soothing and flavorful. Trust me, once you try making it yourself, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought versions.

The image shows two white mugs filled with a foamy drink, topped with a layer of light brown cinnamon powder covering half of the foam's surface, each having a star anise placed in the center. The mugs have a smooth, slightly speckled texture with a natural-colored base. Surrounding the mugs are round, dark brown cookies with a textured surface, some laying on a light brown cloth and others on a white marbled surface. The overall scene is bright with soft, natural lighting. 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 absolutely adore this homemade chai latte because it’s quick to whip up but offers big, deep flavors that feel like a warm hug in a mug. Plus, making it yourself means you can control the sweetness and spice levels exactly how you like it.

Freshness: You get the freshness of spices that you just don’t find in pre-mixed chai powders.
Customizable: Adjust honey, spices, or milk types to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples that you probably already have, making it super convenient.
Perfect for sharing: Makes just enough for two cups, ideal for cozy chats or self-care moments.

Two white mugs filled with a creamy drink topped with a thick layer of white foam lightly dusted with cinnamon powder on one side, each foam layer decorated with a dark brown star anise placed in the center. The mugs are set on a white marbled surface with whole cinnamon sticks and additional star anise scattered around and a glass jar with cinnamon sticks in the background, soft natural light enhances the textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe lies in the blend of warming spices combined with honey’s natural sweetness and creamy milk. Each ingredient plays a part in creating that perfect balance between cozy and flavorful.

Flat lay of a small honey dipper resting next to a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl containing vibrant ground cinnamon, another small white ceramic bowl with warm brown ground ginger, a third small white ceramic bowl holding pale green ground cardamom, two uncracked brown chai tea bags neatly placed side by side, a simple white ceramic cup filled with steaming hot water, and a tall white ceramic mug filled with fresh creamy milk, all arranged in a perfectly balanced symmetrical layout, 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: Adds natural sweetness and balances the spices without overpowering them.
Cinnamon: Provides warmth and subtle sweetness, a chai essential.
Ginger: Brings a gentle spicy kick and digestive benefits.
Cardamom: Offers a unique aromatic note that’s both floral and citrusy.
Boiling water: Perfect for steeping your tea to extract all those complex flavors.
Chai tea bags: The base of rich black tea with additional spice layers.
Milk of choice: Creams the drink and balances the spices; dairy or plant-based milks work beautifully.

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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 switching up the milk depending on the season—sometimes almond milk for a light touch in warmer months, or a rich oat milk in winter for extra creaminess. Feel free to tweak the spice amounts too; if you’re a big ginger fan, go ahead and add a little extra punch.

Variation: Once, I added a few cloves and a star anise to the steeping mix, and it gave the chai an exotic depth that my family couldn't stop raving about.
Dairy-free option: Use your favorite plant-based milk like coconut or cashew for a luscious dairy-free latte.
Less sweetness: Cut back on honey or swap for unsweetened maple syrup if you prefer a more subtle sweetness.

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

Step 1: Whisk the Spices and Honey

Start by placing the honey, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom into a heat-proof jar or large measuring cup. Pour in the boiling water and whisk everything together until the honey is fully dissolved. This step ensures your spices bloom beautifully in the hot water and mix evenly with the sweetener.

Step 2: Steep the Tea Bags

Add your chai tea bags to the spiced mixture and let them steep for at least 15 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger and more flavorful your chai concentrate will be. I usually go a full 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to deepen the flavor without bitterness.

Step 3: Warm and Froth the Milk

While your tea is steeping, warm the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it’s just simmering. If you have a milk frother, use it to froth about a cup of milk at a time—this adds a lovely velvety texture that makes the latte feel extra special.

Step 4: Assemble and Enjoy

Divide the warmed milk evenly into two mugs, then top each with an equal amount of the chai concentrate. Give it a good stir, and your chai latte is ready to sip. The contrast of the creamy milk and warmly spiced concentrate tastes absolutely delicious every single time.

Top Tip

From my experience making this chai latte multiple times, a few little tweaks have made a big difference:

Freshly grind your spices: I sometimes use freshly ground cinnamon and cardamom for a brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to pre-ground spices.
Don’t rush your steeping time: Let your chai tea bags steep for the full 15 minutes—I used to pull them out earlier and noticed the flavor wasn’t as rich.
Froth the milk twice if needed: If you want extra foam, warm and froth your milk in two batches rather than all at once for better texture.
Avoid boiling milk: Heat it until simmering to prevent burning or an “off” taste that can happen with overheating.

How to Serve Homemade Chai Latte Recipe

homemade chai latte - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or a tiny grating of nutmeg on top for an inviting autumnal aroma. Sometimes a small cinnamon stick tucked into the mug adds a nice touch both visually and for sipping. If you like, a little drizzle of honey over the froth gives a sweet finish that’s hard to resist.

Side Dishes

This chai latte pairs wonderfully with buttery shortbread cookies or warm scones for teatime. I’ve also enjoyed it alongside a spiced pumpkin muffin or apple cinnamon cake for a cozy afternoon pick-me-up.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to use clear glass mugs to show off the beautiful layers of steamed milk and chai concentrate. Garnishing with a star anise or edible flower petals adds a festive flair. If serving guests, consider adding mini cinnamon sticks as stirrers for a charming touch everyone appreciates.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover concentrate, cool it completely, then store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. I keep mine in a small container and just warm it gently on the stove when ready to use again—it never loses that fresh flavor.

Freezing

I haven’t personally frozen chai concentrate because the spices can sometimes change texture when thawed. However, freezing isn’t the best option for the milk component, so I recommend making fresh batches weekly if you want to stay stocked.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the stored concentrate on the stovetop over low heat—avoid boiling to keep the flavors balanced. Then warm and froth fresh milk to combine for the best texture and taste.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Homemade Chai Latte Recipe vegan?

Definitely! Just swap honey for maple syrup or another vegan sweetener, and use any plant-based milk like almond, oat, or coconut milk in place of dairy.

How spicy is this chai latte?

This recipe offers a gentle warmth from cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. You can always adjust the spice levels to suit your preference—add more ginger for extra heat or reduce spices for a milder taste.

Can I prepare the chai concentrate ahead of time?

Yes! The chai concentrate can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days. When ready, just warm it up and combine with heated milk for a quick latte fix.

What’s the best milk for frothing?

Whole milk froths beautifully due to its fat content, but oat milk is a fantastic dairy-free alternative that also froths well. Avoid skim milk as it doesn’t froth properly.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Chai Latte Recipe has become my go-to comfort drink when I want something that feels indulgent but isn’t complicated. It’s an easy way to bring a little warmth and spice into your day, and once you make it, you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again. So grab those spices, warm up the milk, and enjoy this little moment of cozy calm you just made for yourself.