This quick and easy Maple Vanilla Chai Tea Latte is the perfect warm and cozy drink for chilly days and nights. No fancy equipment required!
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The weather is definitely turning very chilly very quickly, and there's nothing I like better than sipping on a hot drink to warm me up.
This Maple Vanilla Chai Tea Latte is one of my favorites. It's creamy, frothy, sweet and spicy. AND it's super easy to make right at home!
If you've never had chai tea, it's tea blended with a mixture of spices - usually cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves (and sometimes black pepper). The blend of spices varies depending on who makes it, but it's got all those yummy warm fall spices in there!
By the way, did you know that the word chai actually means tea and is not the name of the spice mix? Yep, it's true! The correct term for tea made with spices is masala chai - but the term chai tea has become so popular, that's how most of us know it!
The secret to the ease of making this Maple Vanilla Chai Tea Latte is chai tea bags, so there's no need to mess with a bunch of spices! If you buy a good quality chai tea that you love the flavor of, you will get all of that fabulous spicy chai flavor without all the fuss.
Now for the latte (milk) part. I like my lattes nice and creamy, so I use half tea and half whole milk.
What about that wonderful frothy milk on top, you ask? Oh, yes, we've got foam too, and all you need to make it is...a whisk!
Ingredients You Need
- Water
- Chai tea bags
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
- Cinnamon
How to Make Maple Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
Tips & Tidbits
- I use two chai tea bags for a stronger flavor because I often find that one bag can be a little weak. I also let it steep for the full 5 minutes - and then I make sure to squeeze out the tea bags into my tea - because I really want to taste those spices!
- To use your time most efficiently (and so that your tea doesn't get cold), heat the milk while your tea is steeping.
- When whisking the milk, I find that quickly whisking back and forth from left to right works better than whisking in a circular motion.
- Alternately, if you have a hand-held milk frother, this would be the perfect time to use it.
- You can make a "skinny" or dairy-free latte by using almond milk (the almond milk will foam with the whisk too!). The flavor is definitely different, and it's not as creamy, but it works if that's your thing!
My favorite time to enjoy this chai tea latte is in the evening after dinner or before bedtime (I use decaf chai tea bags) - so cozy and relaxing!
If you really love chai tea lattes and are always stopping by the coffee shop for one, just imagine how much money you can save by making your own at home for pennies rather than dollars.
Also be sure to check out my London Fog Latte made with Earl Grey tea.
I hope you try this Maple Vanilla Chai Tea Latte recipe and love it as much as I do. Thanks for visiting today!
More Hot Drink Recipes to Try
If you make this recipe, I'd love to know how it went! Please leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
📋Recipe
Maple Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 2 chai tea tea bags
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, add more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
- cinnamon, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Place the chai tea bags in a mug and add the water. Let steep for 3 to 5 minutes (or according to the directions on the package of tea). I like to steep mine for at least 5 minutes for a stronger chai flavor.
- While the tea is steeping, heat the milk in a small saucepan over low heat until hot (do not boil).
- Squeeze out the tea bags into your mug (be careful and use a spoon - the bags will be hot). Add the maple syrup and vanilla to the tea; stir to combine.
- Remove the milk from the heat and carefully whisk, using a quick left-to-right motion, until the milk is frothy and foamy.Alternately, you can use a hand-held milk frother if you have one.
- Pour the milk into the mug with the tea. Spoon any foam that is left behind in the pan onto the top of your latte.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use almond milk instead of whole milk to make a "skinny" or non-dairy chai latte (the flavor will be different, and it won't be as creamy).
- Use decaf chai tea bags for a relaxing nighttime sipper!
Alyssa says
If I make a pitcher of this, will it last in the fridge for a few days?
Michelle says
Hey, Alyssa! Due to food safety issues/concerns (for example, harmful bacteria growth), you should not re-refrigerate milk that has been heated. This drink needs to be made fresh right before serving. Thanks for your question!