Description
Cool summer mornings get a delightful boost with this homemade Iced Vanilla Chai Latte, blending rich spices and creamy sweetness. Smooth chai concentrate and chilled milk create a refreshing drink you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Spices and Flavoring:
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped) or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Base Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based, such as almond or oat milk)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or to taste)
Tea and Brewing Ingredients:
- 2 black tea bags (preferably a strong blend like Assam or Darjeeling)
Serving Ingredients:
- Ice cubes
Optional Garnishes:
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
- Vanilla pods
- Star anise
Instructions
- Prepare a small saucepan and bring liquid to a rolling boil, introducing tea bags along with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.
- Reduce heat and allow the mixture to gently simmer, enabling the spices to release their complex flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat source and delicately extract vanilla bean seeds, stirring them directly into the fragrant tea infusion.
- Incorporate honey gradually, tasting and adjusting sweetness level to personal preference while ensuring thorough integration.
- Discard tea bags and vanilla pod, then transfer chai mixture to a separate container and allow it to cool naturally or expedite cooling by placing the vessel into an ice water bath.
- While chai cools, prepare milk frothing technique either through mechanical frother, vigorous whisking, or sealed jar shaking method to create light, airy texture.
- Select a tall glass and fill generously with ice cubes, creating a chilled foundation for the beverage.
- Carefully pour cooled chai over ice, filling approximately two-thirds of the glass volume.
- Add vanilla extract if not using whole bean, ensuring subtle aromatic enhancement.
- Gently cascade frothed milk across the chai surface, allowing elegant swirling and layering effect.
- Complete presentation by garnishing with delicate cinnamon dusting, small vanilla pod fragments, or elegant star anise for visual appeal.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger to match your preferred flavor profile without overwhelming the delicate chai base.
- Swap dairy milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk for a plant-based version that maintains the creamy texture and complements the warm spices.
- Use an ice bath to rapidly chill the chai mixture, preserving the vibrant spice flavors while preventing dilution when served over ice.
- Experiment with alternative sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, or stevia to customize the sweetness level and cater to different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Coffee
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg