Iced Chai Tea Latte (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What does Starbucks put in their chai tea latte? ›

What's included. Black tea infused with cinnamon, clove, and other warming spices are combined with milk and ice for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

What is in the chai latte at Starbucks? The chai latte from Starbucks is made with chai concentrate, 2% milk and ice (if you order an iced drink).

Tazo Chai Concentrate (Starbucks brand)

This is the tea that Starbucks uses for its tea lattes and other beverages. Starbucks uses a special (and more concentrated) version of the Tazo Chai Concentrate that is not sold commercially.

Starbucks Chai Tea Latte contains a blend of black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and other spices. The black tea provides a source of caffeine, which can boost energy levels and improve cognitive function.

Traditionally, a Chai Latte is a blend of spicy chai tea concentrate and steamed milk. When you add a shot (or two) of espresso, it becomes "dirty," representing the bold addition of coffee to the equation. While undeniably delicious, ordering a Dirty Chai Tea Latte can be pricier due to the combined costs.

Starbucks baristas will prepare the perfect cup of Teavana® hot tea using sachets that provide bold, delicious flavor, similar to a loose leaf tea.

Almond milk

It is thinner in texture than cow's and soy milk – so it's best reserved for hot chai. It's also low in fat and is a good source of powerful antioxidant vitamin E.

For example, oat milk can be added to your typical chai tea latte. I usually get more of the popular drinks with oat milk in them at starbucks but use oat milk coffee creamer at home. Both are great options, do whatever works for you!

Not all chai concentrates are the same since every company makes their own chai blend using a range of different spices so stick with the Tazo brand if you want it to taste like the one at Starbucks.

Starbucks makes their chai lattes with a 50/50 mix of water and milk, and we tested this out and it tastes great when the liquid is mixed the same as Starbucks (50/50 water and oat milk). Although you can use all oat milk if you like, or use any dairy free or regular milk you prefer.

Is chai tea latte good for you? ›

Chai tea is a great source of antioxidants such as catechins and theaflavins. These fight oxidative stress and can play a role in preventing cancer and other conditions. Depending on how it's prepared, chai tea may also include: Calcium.

The critical difference between iced chai and iced chai latte is that the former is a tea-infused beverage without milk, while the latter combines tea with milk, usually steamed milk or foam. The type of chai used also varies, with some containing spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.

"Tazo Chai latte is the brand served at Starbucks.

Chai latte is generally sweeter and creamier due to the higher amount of steamed milk and the use of sweeteners. Chai tea can be perceived as more traditional, while chai latte is a Westernized version of the original spiced tea. Chai latte may also be served cold, whereas chai tea is primarily enjoyed hot.

While the Starbucks version may capture some of the aromatic essence of chai, it does not provide the complexity and depth of flavor found in traditional chai. The use of a standardized concentrate overlooks the variations in spice blends and preparation methods that contribute to the richness of authentic chai.

When comparing the caffeine content, chai lattes have less caffeine than coffee. An 8-ounce cup of chai latte contains around 30 to 50 milligrams of caffeine, while an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee has about 100 to 200 milligrams.

As you can imagine, this has lead to many questions about whether or not there is coffee in Chai Lattes. The simple answer is: not unless you put it there!