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Looking for a refreshing and creamy drink to beat the heat? This Iced Vanilla Chai Latte is the perfect blend of spiced chai tea, sweet vanilla, and creamy milk, all served over ice. It’s a delightful treat that’s easy to make at home and will quickly become your new favorite beverage.
I first discovered the magic of an Iced Vanilla Chai Latte during a summer trip to a cozy café. The combination of warm chai spices with the cool, sweet vanilla was an instant hit. Since then, I’ve been perfecting this recipe to bring that same café experience right to my kitchen.
Get ready to whip up this delicious Iced Vanilla Chai Latte in no time!
What to Expect
- Time: 10 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
Before You Begin
Before you start, make sure you have all your ingredients ready. You can use any type of milk you prefer, whether it’s dairy or a plant-based alternative. Also, if you like your drink extra sweet, feel free to adjust the amount of vanilla syrup to your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chai tea bag | 1 |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Vanilla syrup | 2 tablespoons |
| Milk | 1 cup |
| Ice | Handful |
| Whipped cream and caramel | For topping |
Step-by-Step Guide
- Brew the chai tea bag in 1 cup of hot water and let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Allow the chai tea to cool to room temperature.
- Fill a glass with a handful of ice.
- Add the vanilla syrup to the glass.
- Pour the cooled chai tea over the ice and vanilla syrup.
- Add the milk and stir everything together.
- Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel.
- Enjoy your refreshing Iced Vanilla Chai Latte!
Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
For an extra creamy texture, you can blend the milk and ice together before adding the chai tea and vanilla syrup. If you have any leftovers, store them in the refrigerator without the whipped cream and caramel topping. Give it a good stir before serving again.
If you’re looking for more delicious recipes, check out this Sweet Potato Paleo Waffles recipe.
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Iced Vanilla Chai Latte
- Total Time: 10
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Iced Vanilla Chai Latte is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Made with a concentrated brew of aromatic chai spices and infused with pure vanilla, it is a refreshing Starbucks copycat you can make at home in minutes. Naturally gluten-free and easily adaptable to be dairy-free, this drink is a creamy, cooling treat for any time of day.
Ingredients
2 bags Chai tea (ensure gluten-free certified if sensitive)
½ cup boiling water
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (adjust to sweetness preference)
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or 1 tbsp vanilla syrup)
¾ cup milk of choice (whole milk, almond milk, or gluten-free oat milk)
1 cup ice cubes
Pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg, for garnish
Instructions
1. Steep Tea: Pour the boiling water over the chai tea bags in a heat-safe mug. Let it steep for 5–7 minutes to create a strong, spicy concentrate. Squeeze the bags gently before removing to extract all the flavor.
2. Flavor & Sweeten: While the tea is still hot, whisk in the honey (or maple syrup) and the vanilla extract until fully dissolved.
3. Cool (Optional): Allow the tea mixture to cool to room temperature if time permits. This prevents the ice from melting too quickly.
4. Assemble: Fill a tall glass to the rim with ice cubes. Pour the sweetened vanilla chai concentrate over the ice.
5. Add Milk: Pour the cold milk over the tea and ice. Stir gently to combine.
6. Serve: Dust the top with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a spicy finish and serve immediately.
Notes
Spicier Version: For a ‘spicier’ kick, add a pinch of fresh ginger or extra black pepper to the steeping water.
Make It ‘Dirty’: Add a shot of espresso to turn this into a Dirty Vanilla Chai Latte.
Vanilla Bean: If you want to feel fancy, scrape half a vanilla bean into the hot tea instead of using extract for specks of real vanilla.
Storage: You can triple the tea concentrate recipe and keep it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week. Just pour and add milk when ready.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Drinks
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 10
Your Burning Questions Answered!
- Can I use decaf chai tea?
- Yes, you can use decaf chai tea if you prefer to avoid caffeine.
- What type of milk works best?
- Any type of milk works well, but whole milk or oat milk adds a creamier texture.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chai tea and vanilla syrup mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Add the milk and ice just before serving.
Dig In & Enjoy!
This Iced Vanilla Chai Latte is a delightful and refreshing drink that’s perfect for any time of the day. Whether you’re starting your morning or needing an afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe is sure to hit the spot. For more delicious ideas, follow me on Pinterest.