Ready to ditch those expensive coffee shop chai lattes? Today, I’m sharing my secret to a delicious, homemade chai tea latte mix. It’s super easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and will save you a ton of money.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Black Tea: Use good quality black tea bags or loose-leaf. Decaf works too!
- Powdered Milk: Essential for that creamy texture. Non-dairy milk powder (like coconut milk powder) can be used for a dairy-free option.
- Spices: A blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. Feel free to adjust to your taste – more ginger for a kick, less cardamom if you prefer.
- Sweetener: Granulated sugar is standard. You can also use brown sugar, coconut sugar, or a sugar substitute like erythritol.
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered milk (whole milk powder or non-dairy equivalent)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 1/4 cup instant black tea powder (or finely ground black tea from tea bags)
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Yields: Approx. 2 cups of mix (about 16 servings)
- Tools Needed: Large mixing bowl, whisk, airtight container
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather Your Ingredients
Lay out all your spices, powdered milk, sugar, and instant tea powder. Making sure everything is ready will make the mixing process super smooth.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the powdered milk, granulated sugar, and instant black tea powder. Give these a quick whisk to break up any clumps.
3. Add the Spices
Now, carefully measure in the ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. The aroma will already start to fill your kitchen – it’s heavenly!
4. Whisk Until Well Combined
Using your whisk, mix all the ingredients thoroughly. You want to make sure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the powdered milk and sugar. Whisk for a good 2-3 minutes to ensure no pockets of just one ingredient remain.
5. Store Your Mix
Transfer your freshly made homemade chai tea latte mix into an airtight container. A glass jar or a sealed plastic container works perfectly. Label it so you know exactly what’s inside!
Storage Instructions
Store your homemade chai tea latte mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place like your pantry. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 2-3 months. To make a latte, just add hot water or milk to a few spoonfuls of the mix and stir.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use fresh spices instead of ground?
A: For this mix, ground spices are essential for proper blending and flavor distribution.
Q: How do I make a latte with this mix?
A: Add 2-3 tablespoons of the mix to a mug, then stir in 8-10 ounces of hot water or steamed milk. Adjust to your desired strength and sweetness.
Q: Is this mix dairy-free?
A: As written, no, due to the powdered milk. But you can easily make it dairy-free by substituting with a dairy-free powdered milk alternative like coconut milk powder.
Q: Can I adjust the sweetness?
A: Absolutely! You can reduce or increase the sugar to your taste, or use a sugar substitute.
Q: What kind of instant black tea should I use?
A: Look for instant black tea powder, often found in the coffee or tea aisle. If you can’t find it, you can finely grind black tea from tea bags in a spice grinder.
Q: Can I add vanilla to this chai tea latte mix?
A: Yes, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of powdered vanilla or vanilla bean powder to the mix for an extra layer of flavor.
