This homemade dirty chai latte has all the warmth and coziness you love, with espresso to put some pep in your step! It’s easy to make at home, too.
I love a classic chai latte and my matcha latte, but sometimes I need a little more of a boost to wake me up in the morning or get me through that afternoon slump. Solution? This dirty chai latte recipe. It’s got the cozy, comforting flavors of a traditional chai latte, but with an added shot (okay, two shots—working mom here!) of espresso for an extra kick.
Why This Dirty Chai Latte Recipe Is Totally Worth It
- Cheaper than a trip to the coffee shop. No more $5 drinks every day! Starting your morning with a homemade dirty chai latte will help you save money.
- Customizable to your taste. Make it yourself and you can add more caffeine, make it spicier, or use whatever milk you like (without an upcharge).
- Easy to make. Keep a stash of chai concentrate on hand in the refrigerator and this dirty chai recipe comes together in a matter of minutes.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Espresso – If you don’t have an espresso maker, no worries! Just use instant espresso.
- Chai concentrate – Use the concentrate from my chai latte recipe.
- Steamed milk – Any kind of milk you like.
- Cinnamon – For sprinkling over the top.
How Do You Steam Milk?
To steam milk, add the milk to a saucepan set over medium heat. (Ideally, you’ll have a pan with a little spout for pouring; if not, just be careful when pouring it into your mug.) Warm until the milk is hot but not boiling. Use a whisk or frother to make the milk frothy and pour the milk into a mug.
Variations
- Make a swap for the chai concentrate. If you don’t want to make a concentrate for your dirty chai latte, steep 2 chai tea bags in 1 cup of hot water for at least 10 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
- Try it iced. For a summery version of this recipe, pour the espresso, chai concentrate, and milk over ice instead of steaming the milk.
- Top it off. Garnish with coconut whipped cream to make your dirty chai a little more indulgent.
How to Store Leftovers
If you can’t finish your dirty chai latte, you can refrigerate it for later—it will keep for up to a day. Reheat it in a saucepan or in the microwave and give it a good stir before sipping it, or simply drink it chilled.
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Add the espresso into a mug, followed by the chai concentrate.
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Top with steamed milk and a dash of cinnamon on each.
- Note: If you don’t want to make a concentrate (or don’t have one!), use 1 cup hot water, with 2 chai tea bags steeped for at least 10 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup and use that as your concentrate.
- Nutrition information depends on the type of milk you use.
Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 218mg | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 0.04mg
