A Dirty Chai Latte is a popular drink served at coffee shops. It starts with a spiced chai latte with a shot or two of espresso added. If you are curious about how to make a Dirty Chai Latte recipe at home, I'm sharing my tricks to make you just as good or better than Starbucks! You'll love this easy homemade version with a DIY shortcut that comes in at less than 100 calories per serving.
Serve it with my Healthy Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Bread or 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.
Dirty Chai Latte Recipe
This Dirty Chai Latte recipe is so simple to make in just 10 minutes and is better than Starbucks! If you aren't familiar with what's in your favorite morning drink it's a combination of a basic chai latte which is made with spiced chai black tea (or masala chai) blended with frothy milk and amped up with a shot or two of espresso or coffee.
I love the rich and warm flavors in the drink including black tea, and chai spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. When you add the extra shot of espresso coffee to it, it's an unbeatable morning drink.
This latte can be served hot or cold and both are delicious! I also love that my homemade version is only around 75 calories, depending on the sweetener you use.
I know many of you are tea and coffee lovers too so I thought I'd share the easiest way to make a DIY Dirty Chai Latte recipe at home. Trust me this version is better than the coffee house barista or even Starbucks!
What is a Dirty Chai Latte?
I love the rich cinnamon and spice flavors in Chai for fall and winter. It's a great way to mix it up from going all pumpkin all the time.
What is the Difference between Dirty Chai and Clean Chai?
The difference between a Clean Chai Latte and Dirty Chai Latte is simply whether the shot of espresso is included. The dirty version includes the shot and the plain or clean does not. Both of them have the same blend of black tea and spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and vanilla.
What are the spices in Chai tea?
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Cardamom
- Black Pepper
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Fennel Seed
You can mix all of these spices yourself or find the blend of spices in a chai spice blend or even chai syrups.
What Tea Do I Use?
There are lots of popular brands of tea that make a Chai tea that can create a Dirty Chai Latte at home but I love TAZO which includes the Classic Chai Tea. If you can't find the spiced tea chai concentrate you can brew your own from their Chai tea bags like these. And then add the blend of spices I listed above.
To make the chai tea without a packaged box of chai tea, you blend you simmer the spices with water and black tea on the stove.
How to Make Dirty Chai Latte At Home - My Simple Trick!
I love the warmth of a Dirty Chai Latte this time of year. TAZO makes a perfect Chai Classic Black Tea that has a robust blend of black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and spices. Sometimes it's even called Masala Chai. They also offer the same classic flavor in premade concentrate, which is perfect for making this drink without all the fuss. It's such a great kitchen shortcut. If you are wondering how to make a dirty chai latte at home... THIS IS IT!
I've also included instructions below to make a Dirty Chai Latte without the concentrate if all you have are the regular tea bags.
Dirty Chai Latte Ingredients
So what's in a Dirty Chai Latte?
- TAZO Chai tea concentrate: The premade concentrate makes it super easy to make a homemade drink. If you don't have the concentrate brew ½ cup strong chai tea or black tea in water with 1 teaspoon chai spice mix.
- Milk: Use your favorite milk, including unflavored non-dairy or dairy-free milk. For an extra rich treat use whole milk or half and half. Regular milk, almond milk, coconut milk and soy milk all work.
- Espresso: A shot of espresso is what makes a chai latte "dirty" and gives it that extra kick. If you don't have an espresso machine you can use a strong coffee made in either a coffee pot or french press. You can also make this cold using cold brew coffee.
- Stevia or another sweetener: Add sweetener according to your taste. You can even use simple syrup, honey or maple syrup to adjust the sweetness, but I prefer stevia.
You can find TAZO Chai Tea Concentrate in most grocery stores or order it through Amazon. It's also useful to have a milk frother to blend your milk. I have both this handheld Electric Foam Maker and a larger electric milk frother.
How do you make Dirty Chai Latte?
To make the Dirty Chai Latte recipe...
- Add equal parts TAZO Chai Tea Concentrate and milk.
- Next, add a shot of espresso to make it dirty. Stir well.
- If you want it warm heat up the concentrate and milk on the stove or in the microwave, but if you like it cold shake the mixture with ice. It's perfect with a touch of stevia too.
- To make it frothy use a hand frother to make your frothed milk fluffy! The best temperature for froth milk is 150 degrees, which is scalding hot.
- Top the mixture with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon.
Variations
- Make Your Own Chai Spice Tea: If you don't have the tea concentrate you can use a rich black tea, like TAZO. Brew the tea on the stove and allow it to simmer with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. You can also use 1 teaspoon of pre-mixed chai spices.
- Make it Without an Espresso Machine: If you don't have an espresso maker you can substitute 5 ounces of brewed strong coffee.
- Make it Vegan: Make the recipe vegan or dairy-free by using almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or cashew milk.
- Make it Iced Dirty Chai Latte: Cool your coffee and tea mixture and serve it over ice. Add ice to make an iced dirty chai latte.
- Make it a Green Tea Dirty Chai: Substitute spice-infused green tea for the chai tea.
- Make it a Filthy Dirty Chai Latte: Use TWO shots of espresso instead of just one.
- Make it Decaf Dirty Chai Latte: To get the flavor without the huge caffeine boost, use decaffeinated black tea and decaffeinated strong coffee.
FAQ
How to Store:
Your Dirty Chai Latte is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers of the chai tea and espresso mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Add the milk when you are ready to serve it.
What's the caffeine content?
A Dirty Chai Latte has a hefty dose of caffeine from both the black tea and a shot of espresso. Caffeine levels can vary from the specific tea and coffee you use, but it generally ranges around 160 milligrams of caffeine, vs 50-60 for a regular.
This Dirty Chai Latte is Better Than the Coffee Shop!
The finished Dirty Chai Latte tastes better than going out and saves you time and money. Plus, my version is much lower in calories, around 100, and is much lower than a coffee shop. It's the perfect drink for the new season! The recipe for it is below.
Hopefully, it takes the guesswork out of how to make a classic coffee house drink. Whether you use my shortcut or make it from scratch, I hope you enjoy and love this Dirty Chai Latte recipe as much as I do.
More Fall Flavored Drinks to Try:
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Dirty Chai Latte recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces TAZO Chai Tea Concentrate
- 3 ounces milk, or non-dairy milk
- 1 shot espresso
- stevia or sweetener of choice
Instructions
- Pour equal parts of TAZO Chai Tea Concentrate and milk in a a small saucepan. simmer until warm.
- Next, add a shot of espresso to make it dirty.
- Sweeten to taste.
- Use a handheld milk frother to blend the mixture until foamy and frothy.
- Pour the mixture into a mug and top with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon. Serve immediatly.
Notes
Nutrition
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Kristina says
Thanks for posting this recipe! I'm excited to try it tonight! Quick question, can I make several cups of this at a time and keep them in the fridge for the week?
JulieWunder says
Yes! That should work. I hope you enjoy it.
Natalie says
I love a cup of warming chai latte. No matter what season. You just reminded me I need to make one soon.
Angela says
This was so delicious! I love Tazo products and this Chai Latte is perfect to make an afternoon treat with!!!
Leslie says
I really enjoy a good cup of chai tea! I've never tried this brand but it looks amazing!
Jon Maldia says
I love Chai Tea. I'll have to try Tazo's Chai Latte.
Rachel says
I've never had a chai latte (I know, I live under a rock) but sounds really delish!
Sarah says
This looks delicious! I haven't made a dirty chai latte in so long but it's time!
Deborah Brooks says
would you believe that I have never had a chai latte?! This looks like such and easy and fun way to spice up my afternoon coffee break
Alisa Fleming says
I love Tazo tea and didn't realize they had a chai concentrate. Love that you can mix it with dairy-free milk beverage!
JulieWunder says
YES! So great! Thanks Alisa!
Beth says
Haha! Funny! I travel with my tea stash, as well! Mind you, it is not as fancy as the chai latte! Yummy!
JulieWunder says
Haha! Great minds think alike!
Jeanine says
I've never had a chai latte before. Would love to give this a try though it sounds delicious.
JulieWunder says
Thanks!
Deryn says
I love chai and I love espresso so obvi together they are perfect! I've never tried the chai concentrate but it sounds perfect for making drinks at home.
JulieWunder says
Totally! So good!
Emily Kyle says
I love that this is in concentrate form so I can keep it at home and ready to use! Can't wait to try this recipe at home, it's so much better than going out, thank you!
JulieWunder says
So true! Thanks Emily!
Denise C says
I love starting my day with a nice, hot cup of tea. It's the only time of the day I get to sit down and relax, and it's so delicious!
JulieWunder says
I totally agree!
Liz says
This sounds so perfect for fall! My husband is a CHAI lover, so I will have to make this for him!
JulieWunder says
He'll love it!
Rachel says
I am not a fan of chai though my husband loves it. I love the zen tea blend though.
JulieWunder says
I love the Zen too!
Anna says
Chai tea is great but when you add coffee, you're really speaking to me! Fantastic and easy recipe 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Anna!
Kelly says
I do love Tazo teas but haven't seen this one yet. I'm going to have to look for it and then try your tasty recipe!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Kelly!
Sarah says
I love chai tea and my girls and I are big fans of Tazo! Usually I like my chai lattes dirty but lately I've been making more without since I have to limit the caffeine and usually already had my coffee.
JulieWunder says
Me too! After we have these babes though... it's on!
Katie Crenshaw says
I absolutely love Chai Tea, so I am certain I will love this Chai Latte. This is my favorite thing to drink in the fall. The flavors are perfect to get you in the mood for the cooler weather.
JulieWunder says
Thanks!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
As I told Alex, welcome to the season of warm beverages all day errday!
JulieWunder says
exactly!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I love that chai latte mix. I've never had it with espresso, though. Great idea!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Nicole!
Abbey Sharp says
Yum! I'm a huge chai fan, but I've never thought about mixing it with coffee! Definitely will be trying this
JulieWunder says
Such a nice boost when you need it!
Deborah Brooks says
I love all the different flavors of the Tazo teas. Would you believe I've never had a dirty chai?
JulieWunder says
You'd love it!
geetha priyanka says
This chai latte looks delicious and tempting. Looking forward to trying this in the near future.
JulieWunder says
Thanks!
Clarice Lao / Camping for Women says
I am also a huge tea fan and I would love to try this. It looks really easy and since we have the same preference for Tea (Tazo English Breakfast) -- I trust your taste and suggestion.
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
JulieWunder says
Great minds think alike!
Neely Moldovan says
Chai always screams fall to me! I love to make them at home so this is a great recipe to try!
JulieWunder says
Me too! Love the flavors!
JulieWunder says
Me too! Thanks!
Ashley says
I love Chai! I don't drink coffee -- but, am obsessed with a Chai..! Thanks for sharing!
JulieWunder says
Isn't it so good!
Beth Ann Chiles says
I am going to go home and make this!!! Love dirty chai!!!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
Chai lattes are my favorite on cold days!