How to Make a Chai Tea Latte

Craving a barista-quality Chai Tea Latte but staying closer to home these days? Follow these easy steps to make the perfect chai tea latte at home. 

Chai tea lattes and foam

When it comes to making a chai tea lattes, it’s all about the foam. One thing we’ve learned from binging on Netflix series about the top chefs of the world: presentation matters. Food tastes better when it looks beautiful. Chai tea lattes are the same. A rich froth makes your chai tea lattes taste better. Plus, technically it’s not really a latte if it doesn’t have at least a little foam. (We’re looking at you, hundreds of online tea latte recipes without foam….)

Tools to make chai tea latte

So before you dive in, you’ll need a good hand-held milk frother or emulsifier. Get a sturdy one that will last. The cheap ones do not. (Case in point: our former cheap office spinner that used to come to life like a zombie, spitting flecks of milk at the user while growling like a nest of angry bees.)

Here are some other supplies you’ll find helpful.

1. A milk pitcher or measuring cup, or a deep mug can work nicely.
2. A way to heat your milk – either by stove top in a saucepan or by microwave in a safe container.
3. Good, high quality tea - duh. We don’t have to tell you.
4. Milk, of course. Whole, skim, half-and-half, soy, almond, oat, cashew - it’s your choice. Let it be said that the type of milk used will affect the type of foam formed. If you see a “Barista” version of your milk alternative, go with that.
5. Dishcloth or apron. This can get messy. Be ready for a bit of spray if your mug is too full, or not deep enough.

Now that you are all set up, let’s get started.

Steps to make the perfect chai tea latte

Step 1: Heat milk in microwave-safe milk pitcher or measuring cup (or tall mug) for 60-90 seconds so it’s warm, not boiling. Or heat on the stove in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally; then remove from heat once simmering and pour into pitcher or mug.

Step 2: Take your hand-held milk frother and submerge whisk just below the top of the milk, then press the power button.

Step 3: Move frother upwards so that the whisk is half in the milk and half in the air for a couple of seconds to aerate the milk, and then submerge whisk fully, about half way down, never touching the bottom.

Step 4: Slant the milk pitcher and the frother slightly, about 25 degrees.

Step 5: Move frother slightly off from center and move up and down a bit, but staying away from the bottom of mug and top of milk.

Step 6: Stop frothing when large bubbles start to disappear. The whole frothing business should take less than 30 seconds.

Step 7: Pour beautiful micro-foam and milk over brewed tea. Check out our tips on how to brew tea.

Step 8: Not sure how much tea and how much milk to use. We recommend a ½ a mug of tea to ½ milk/froth. Adjust the amounts of tea vs. milk to fit your taste to get to your perfect chai tea latte.

Step 9: Sweeten to taste.

Step 10: Sit back and enjoy.

A variation on the classic Chai Latte — Chai Walla Latte

1. Steep 1 Paisley Organic Chai Tea bag for 5 minutes in ½ mug of boiled water, then remove teabag.
2. In separate container, heat milk.
3. Add 1 tsp of vanilla and 1 tbsp of maple syrup or honey to milk and stir.
4. Froth milk like a pro and pour over fully steeped Chai tea to fill mug.
5. Sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon.

Other Tea Latte Recipes

Since you’re practically a pro barista now...here are some other tea latte recipes you may want to try.

Matcha Green Tea Latte

1. Place 1 tbsp of Two Leaves and a Bud Nice Matcha Green Tea Powder in the bottom of your mug.
2. In a separate container heat milk.
3. Add a splash of heated milk to matcha and use a whisk to stir the matcha into a starter paste so that all clumps are dissolved.
4. Add 1 tsp of agave to matcha starter and stir. (Totally optional!)
5. Froth the remainder of the milk and pour over matcha starter paste to fill mug.
6. Give it a quick stir and sprinkle a dusting of matcha powder on top.

London Fog Tea Latte

1. Steep 1 Two Leaves and a Bud Organic Earl Grey Tea Sachet in ½ mug of boiled water for 5 minutes, then remove sachet.
2. Stir in cane sugar or simple syrup to taste.
3. In a separate container, heat milk.
4. Add 1/4 tsp vanilla extract to milk and stir.
5. Froth milk like a pro and pour over fully steeped Earl Grey tea to fill mug.

Rooibos Vanilla Spice Latte

1. Steep 1 Organic African Sunset Tea Sachet in ½ mug of boiled water for 5 minutes, then remove sachet.
2. In separate container, heat milk + 1 tsp of coconut oil.
3. Add 1 tsp of honey and ¼ tsp vanilla extract and stir.
4. Froth the milk mixture to perfection and pour over fully brewed African Sunset tea to fill mug.
5. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Chamomile Rose Latte

1. Heat milk and 2 tbsp of crushed rose petals
2. Remove from heat and allow rose petals to steep for 15 minutes.
3. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
4. You may need to re-heat milk.
5. Steep 2 Two Leaves and a Bud Organic Chamomile Tea Sachets in ½ mug of boiled water for 4 minutes, then remove sachets.
6. Froth milk and rose mixture and pour over Chamomile tea to fill mug.
7. Sprinkle a pinch of rose petals on top.