Y’all, I am obsessed with this drink. I’ve long been a fan of the chai latte in general, and this version is just the best. It’s so flavorful and delicious!
One thing to note before we continue is that I make my chai a little differently than most folks. My secret is that I don’t brew it in water and then add milk; I brew it directly in the hot milk! I do this when I make Earl Grey too, because I like it to taste a little richer. Using water makes it taste, well, watered down to me.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I might make some extra coffee money at no extra expense to you if you buy something through one of my links. Read more about that here.
How do you make a caramel vanilla chai latte?
You start this very simple recipe by steaming some milk. You can do this in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop. I’ve done both, depending on how much time I have. The flavor seems to be a little better when it’s made on the stove, but I don’t always have the patience to wait on it or to wash the pan when I’m done, so often I just pop a mug into the microwave instead.
Once the milk is steaming hot (but not boiling), dip the chai tea bag in and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes. Then just remove the bag and stir in your caramel and vanilla syrup. At this point you might choose to whisk the tea mixture or use a milk frother if you like a foamy top on your latte. The last step is to garnish with a dash of cinnamon and enjoy!
Can I use different types of milk?
Yep! I usually use either plain, unsweetened almond milk or 1% dairy milk, depending on what is available. I’ve also made it with coconut milk, and it was fine, though I don’t generally prefer the taste of coconut milk. To each their own! I will say, if you want the most decadent tasting latte then go for whole diary milk. It’s very rich!
Can I make this an iced latte?
Absolutely. During warmer weather I’m usually not in the mood for a hot drink, but a frappe or iced latte can really hit the spot. Just make this recipe as directed, then pour it over a glass of ice.
What brand of tea and syrup do you use?
Easy, whatever is on sale. I usually get the store brand chai tea from Food City, and Torani is usually the most readily available coffee syrup. I use the salted caramel Torani flavor and it’s really, really good. I also advise against getting the sugar-free versions unless you have some dietary restriction that necessitates it because I taste a little bitterness when I use those that I don’t really enjoy.
- 1 1/4 cup milk (any kind will work)
- 1 chai tea bag
- 1 tablespoon salted caramel syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
- Cinnamon to garnish
-
Heat milk in a pan on the stove or in a mug in the microwave. You want it to be steaming hot but not boiling. Place the tea bag in the milk and let it steep for about 5 minutes, then remove the bag and stir in the syrups. Garnish with a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Optional: whisk the mixture for 30 seconds or so (or use a frother if you’re fancy) before garnishing if you want a foamier top on your latte.