• Use strong black tea for the best chai flavor. Assam or English breakfast tea creates the bold, authentic taste typical of a Starbucks-style iced chai latte.
• Adjust the sweetness to your preference. Starbucks drinks tend to be fairly sweet, but you can easily reduce the brown sugar or substitute honey, maple syrup, or a sugar-free sweetener.
• Whole milk gives the creamiest texture. For a dairy-free iced chai latte, oat milk is the closest substitute to the rich café-style texture.
• Make chai concentrate ahead of time. Store extra chai concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days so you can quickly make iced chai lattes whenever you want.
• Try a “dirty chai latte.” Add one shot of espresso for a coffeehouse-style dirty chai variation that combines bold coffee flavor with warm chai spices.
• For stronger spice flavor, simmer the cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger an extra 2–3 minutes before adding the tea.
• Use plenty of ice for the perfect café-style drink. Filling the glass completely with ice keeps the iced chai latte cold and prevents it from becoming diluted too quickly.
Starbucks Copycat Iced Chai Latte (Easy Homemade Recipe)
This Starbucks copycat iced chai latte recipe is creamy, sweet, and packed with warm chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. Made with black tea, milk, and ice, this easy homemade iced chai latte tastes just like the popular coffee shop version but costs a fraction of the price. Perfect for chai lovers, this refreshing iced drink can be made in minutes and customized with your favorite milk or sweetener.
Servings 1 latte
Calories 120kcal
Cost $2 for entire recipe
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Fine mesh strainer
- spoon or whisk
- Tall glass (12–16 oz) for serving
- Ice scoop (optional)
Ingredients
Chai Concentrate
- 1 cup water
- 1 black tea bag or 2 tsp loose black tea
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
- 3 whole cloves
- 3 thin slices fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Latte
- ½ cup chai concentrate
- ½ cup milk whole milk tastes closest to Starbucks
- 1 cup ice
Optional:
- whipped cream
- cinnamon sprinkle
Instructions
Make the chai concentrate
- In a small saucepan combine water, tea bag, cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.
- Bring to a gentle simmer for 4–5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let steep 2 minutes.
Sweeten
- Strain the tea into a cup and stir in brown sugar and vanilla extract.
- Allow to cool slightly.
Assemble the iced latte
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour ½ cup chai concentrate over the ice.
- Add ½ cup milk.
- Stir gently until combined.
Serve
- Top with whipped cream and a light sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.