Skip the coffee shop and make this DIY Dirty Chai Latte Recipe at home! Made with cashew or almond milk, this delicious drink is dairy-free, gluten-free and perfect for fall. (2024)

5 from 37 votes

Posted January 26, 2024 (last updated March 11, 2024) by Wendy Polisi

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Skip the coffee shop and make this DIY Dirty Chai Latte Recipe at home! The marriage of chai tea and espresso is shockingly delicious. It tastes like a hug in a mug! This delicious drink is perfect for those moments when you have time to linger.

Skip the coffee shop and make this DIY Dirty Chai Latte Recipe at home! Made with cashew or almond milk, this delicious drink is dairy-free, gluten-free and perfect for fall. (1)

When you are craving a break from your hectic life, this Dirty Chai Latte is the perfect solution.

Lingering over a delicious cup is the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate - there is no need for a trip to your favorite coffee house.

Make this popular drink once, and you will be hooked.

Looking for more ways to enjoy coffee flavors? Don't miss this Coffee Quinoa Smoothie, Peppermint Mocha Cookies, and Ninja Creami Coffee Ice Cream.

Ingredients Needed

Chai Tea Concentrate: Chai concentrate is a mixture of black tea, spices, and sweeteners. It can be purchased premade at most grocery stores or made at home using black tea bags, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and honey or sugar. I keep this coffee chai latte simple, by using pre-made concentrate.
Milk: I used cashew milk. I like it because it is rich and creamy, and keeps this recipe vegan. But you could use almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or dairy milk if you prefer. Keep in mind that the type of milk you use will impact the richness - whole milk will be a lot richer than dairy-free.
Espresso or strong coffee: This adds an extra kick of caffeine to the latte. If using espresso, use 2 ounces for a smaller drink or 5 ounces for a larger one. For brewed coffee, aim for an extra-strong cup.

Tips and Tricks

For a frothy latte, try using a milk frother. Froth milk into a foam before adding it to your dirty chai tea latte.
Feel free to adjust the ratios of chai tea concentrate, milk, and espresso/coffee to suit your personal taste.
Experiment with different types of milk or sweeteners to change up the flavor.
To make this drink even more decadent, top it with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of whipped cream.

You Will Need

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Chai Tea Concentrate
Saucepan
Blender, immersion blender, or milk frother

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dirty chai latte?

The Dirty Chai Latte is a twist on the traditional chai latte, adding in a shot of espresso or strong coffee to give it an extra kick of caffeine. It can be made with traditional or dairy-free milk,

It's creamy, spicy, and just the right amount of sweet.

What are the spices in chai tea?

Every recipe is slightly different, but common chai spices include:

Ginger
Allspice
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Cloves
Nutmeg
Fennel Seed

Can I make a dirty chai recipe without an expensive espresso machine?

Absolutely! Simply use extra-strong brewed coffee instead of espresso for a similar result.

Another option is to use an inexpensive stovetop espresso maker.

What is the difference between a chai latte and a dirty chai latte?

A traditional chai latte is made with steamed milk and chai tea concentrate, while a dirty chai latte has the addition of espresso or strong coffee. This gives the drink an additional kick of extra caffeine and a slightly more intense flavor.

Some people also refer to the dirty chai latte as a "shot in the dark," as it includes a shot of espresso in the traditional chai latte.

Variations

Make it a Pumpkin Chai Latte Recipe! Omit the coffee and add a ½ cup of pumpkin puree and ¼ teaspoon pumpkin spice.
If you don't have and don't want to get tea concentrate, you can use brewed chai tea bag in its place or make your own Chai Tea Mix.
If you don’t have an espresso machine and don’t want to use extra-strong coffee, you can use instant espresso.
I typically serve this as a hot drink, but you could serve it over ice for an iced dirty chai latte.
If you want to make your latte sweeter, pour in a tablespoon of maple syrup before blending.

How to Make a Dirty Chai Latte

More Drink Recipes to Try

Salted Caramel Latte
Iced Mocha Latte
Raspberry Smoothie
Matcha Green Tea Latte

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Print Recipe

5 from 37 votes

10-Minute Dirty Chai Latte

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Keyword: Dirty Chai Latte

Servings: 2

Calories: 19kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

1 ½ cups Chai Tea Latte Concentrate
1 ½ cups cashew milk or milk of choice
2 ounces espresso or 5 ounces extra-strong brewed coffee

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place the Chai Tea Latte Concentrate and milk in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the mixture comes to a simmer.
Add espresso or coffee and use an immersion blender to blend until foamy and frothy.
Alternatively, transfer mixture to a blender and blend for 5 to 10 seconds.
Divide among mugs and serve immediately.

Notes

Variations

Make it a Pumpkin Chai Latte Recipe! Omit the coffee and add a ½ cup of pumpkin puree and ¼ teaspoon pumpkin spice.
If you don't have and don't want to get Chai Tea Latte Concentrate, you can use brewed chai tea in its place or make your own chai tea mix.

Nutrition

Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 120mg

Filed Under:

Gluten Free Recipes

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About Wendy Polisi

Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 18 & 19 and my late life princess is 10.