Verre de chaï latte sur une table

How to make homemade chai latte?

Tables of contents

    How to prepare a homemade chai latte?

    Chai latte has established itself as a delicious alternative to coffee and classic coffee shop drinks. Comforting, spicy, and enveloping, it can be enjoyed both hot and iced.

    But how do you prepare a good homemade chai latte? What milk should you use? What's the difference between a chai and a chai latte? And how do you achieve a balance between sweetness, spices, and intensity?

    At Coutume, we have developed our own chai with Awachaï, a blend of spices, French peppermint, and Assam black tea designed for both home and coffee shop use.

    What is chai?

    Chai, or masala chai, is a traditional Indian beverage made from black tea and spices. Depending on the recipe, it typically includes cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, or even pepper.

    Chai latte is a more indulgent version, prepared with hot or cold milk to achieve a rounder, creamier texture.

    What does a chai latte taste like?

    A chai latte generally develops:

    • warm and spicy notes,
    • a beautiful roundness on the palate,
    • a slight sweetness,
    • a comforting sensation.

    Coutume's chai by Awachaï reveals balanced notes of ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom, enhanced by a slight touch of freshness from the peppermint.

    How to prepare a homemade chai latte?

    Small chai latte recipe

    For a cup of approximately 150 ml:

    • 8 g of chai powder, or about 1 to 2 teaspoons
    • 150 ml of milk, dairy or plant-based

    Large chai latte recipe

    For a cup of approximately 225 ml:

    • 12 g of chai powder, or about 2 to 3 teaspoons
    • 225 ml of milk

    Preparation

    1. Mix the chai powder directly into the milk.
    2. Heat gently in a saucepan, stirring regularly.
    3. Stop just before boiling: the milk should be very hot but not boiling to preserve its texture and the chai's aromas.
    4. Serve hot.

    For an even more indulgent texture, you can lightly froth the milk before serving.

    Another tip: to make preparation easier, you can make a chai concentrate by mixing 60 g of powder per liter of water, then bringing it to a simmer for 15 minutes.

    How to prepare an iced chai latte?

    Iced chai latte is particularly popular during warmer periods.

    Iced chai latte recipe

    • 8 to 12 g of Coutume chai
    • 100 ml of hot milk
    • 100 ml of cold milk
    • ice cubes
    1. Mix the chai into the hot milk.
    2. Let it cool slightly.
    3. Pour over ice cubes.
    4. Add the cold milk.

    What milk to use for a chai latte?

    The choice of milk greatly influences the final result.

    • Oat milk: round and naturally sweet
    • Almond milk: lighter and slightly roasted
    • Whole milk: creamier texture
    • Coconut milk: more exotic and gourmet profile

    Oat milk works particularly well with the spicy and warm notes of chai.

    Why does my chai latte lack flavor?

    A chai latte can lack intensity if:

    • the dosage is insufficient,
    • the milk overpowers the spices too much,
    • the preparation is not hot enough,
    • the mixture is not properly homogenized.

    A good balance between the amount of chai and the volume of milk results in a more expressive and delicious drink.

    Our Coutume chai by Awachaï

    Our chai has been developed to offer a balance between spicy intensity, roundness, and freshness.

    It can be used for:

    • hot chai lattes,
    • iced chai lattes,
    • at home,
    • or for professional use in coffee shops.