If you have trouble deciding between chai and coffee, why not give this iced dirty chai latte a try? This Starbucks copycat latte is a sweet, creamy, and refreshing pick-me-up that combines chai tea and espresso with milk. It's easy to recreate this popular drink order at home with a few simple ingredients.
If you like this recipe, give my iced pumpkin chai latte a go next!
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What is a dirty chai tea latte?
A dirty chai is a chai tea drink that has a shot of espresso or a dash of strong coffee in it. The addition of coffee is what makes the chai latte "dirty".
Masala chai is black tea combined with fragrant spices. The warm spiced chai flavor combines with the deep, bitter taste of coffee and is then mellowed out by the addition of milk. Add some ice and you have a cold and refreshing latte - a perfect boost on a warm day!
Depending on where you're from, some people will know this tasty drink as Java Chai, Red Eye Chai, Espresso Chai, and Filthy Chai Latte.
Ingredient Notes
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this dirty chai recipe at home. And these ingredients can be adjusted according to personal preferences.
- Chai tea bags - Chai is a mixture of black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, fennel seeds. You can use your favorite brand. We will combine them with a little bit of hot water to create a chai concentrate, which will give the drink a warm, spiced flavor. You can also use storebought chai tea concentrate if you prefer.
- Brown Sugar - I like brown sugar in my chai latte, but any type of sweetener will work, including artificial sweeteners. You could even add a little simple syrup in place of the sugar if you prefer.
- Milk of choice - Starbucks typically uses 2% milk to make their lattes, but you can use any type of milk in this recipe. This includes plant-based milk such as coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk.
- Coffee or espresso - It is up to you whether you want to add one shot or two shots of espresso to your dirty chai latte. If you don't have an espresso machine, you can use instant espresso or strongly brewed coffee. Cold brew will also work well in this recipe.
- Ice cubes - To keep your iced latte cold and refreshing! Feel free to add as much or as little ice as you prefer.
See the recipe card below for a full ingredient list with quantities.
How to Make an Iced Dirty Chai Latte
- STEP ONE: Make your strong brewed coffee or espresso and set it aside in the refrigerator.
- STEP TWO: Pour boiling water into a small cup. Add two chai tea bags and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard.
- STEP THREE: Add the brown sugar to the warm chai concentrate and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add in the chilled coffee/espresso and mix well.
- STEP FOUR: Assemble the drink for serving by filling a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour over the chai coffee mixture. Top with the milk of your choice and stir to combine and then enjoy!
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Top this chai drink with whipped cream, cold foam, a sprinkle of chai spices, a cinnamon stick, or whipped cream if desired!
Storage
You can store the chai tea and coffee mixture in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container, like a mason jar with a lid.
Brewing your coffee and tea ahead of time allows you to make iced dirty chai lattes all week long whenever the craving hits.
Expert Tips
- Use Strong Tea: Use a good quality chai tea blend and brew it with slightly less water than usual to ensure a robust flavor that can stand up to the addition of ice and milk.
- Go With Fresh Coffee: If you're grinding your coffee beans at home, make sure to use a medium-coarse grind for optimal extraction and flavor. Freshly ground coffee will have a more vibrant taste compared to pre-ground coffee.
- Give it A Good Strain: After brewing the chai tea, strain it to remove any tea leaves or spices that could affect the smoothness and consistency of your latte. A fine-mesh sieve or a tea strainer works well for this purpose.
- Allow to Chill Before Adding Ice: To avoid diluting the flavors, ensure that the chai tea is completely chilled before pouring it over ice. You can refrigerate it for a few hours or use an ice bath for quicker cooling.
- All About The Froth: For a creamy and luxurious texture, froth the milk before adding it to your iced chai latte. You can use a milk frother, a handheld frother, or simply shake the milk vigorously in a tightly sealed jar.
- Sweeter Is Always Better: Experiment with different sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you achieve your desired level of sweetness. Remember to stir well to ensure even distribution of the sweetener.
More latte recipes to consider:
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Recipe
Iced Dirty Chai Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
Ingredients
- 2 shots Espresso or strongly brewed coffee
- ⅓ Cup Boiling Water
- 2 Chai Tea Bags
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar or sweetener of choice
- Ice Cubes
- ½ Cup Milk milk of choice
Instructions
- Make your strong brewed coffee or espresso.2 shots Espresso
- Add boiling water to a small cup with 2 chai tea bags. Allow to steep for 5 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags.⅓ Cup Boiling Water, 2 Chai Tea Bags
- Add the brown sugar to the warm chai concentrate and stir together until the sugar is dissolved. Mix the espresso into the chai. Place the chai-coffee mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate until cooled.1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- Assemble the drink for serving by filling a serving glass with ice cubes. Pour over the chai coffee mixture. Top with the milk of your choice and stir to combine and then enjoy!½ Cup Milk, Ice Cubes
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