Easy Dirty Chai Latte Recipe (Hot or Iced!)
Published Feb 18, 2026
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This dirty chai latte is a cozy drink that pairs spiced chai with espresso for a smooth balance of tea and coffee. It’s made by brewing a quick, strong chai base with tea bags, then layering it with espresso, milk, and fluffy vanilla bean cold foam for a rich but approachable finish. The chai base makes enough for 3-4 dirty chai lattes and comes together in about 20 minutes!
What Is a Dirty Chai Latte?
A dirty chai latte is a classic chai latte with espresso added. The spiced warmth of chai pairs with the bold flavor of coffee, creating a drink that’s more caffeinated than regular chai but still creamy and smooth.
Why You’ll Love This Dirty Chai Latte Recipe
Just like my pecan crunch oatmilk latte, this recipe gives you full control over the flavor, strength, and sweetness of your drink! By brewing chai tea bags extra strong on the stovetop, you create a bold, spiced base that can stand up to espresso, which means every sip tastes balanced and intentional rather than muted or milky.
It’s also easy to adapt based on your mood or the season. In cooler months, it’s perfect served warm and cozy for slow mornings at home, while warmer days call for an iced dirty chai that’s still rich and satisfying. If you love iced coffeehouse drinks with cozy spice, you’ll also love my iced pumpkin spice latte, giving you another at-home option when you’re craving something cold but comforting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chai Concentrate
- Chai Tea Bags: Chai tea bags are steeped extra long to create a strong, spiced tea base that gives this latte its signature warmth and depth. Using tea bags lets you control the strength of the chai so it stands up to the espresso without tasting weak or watered down!
- Water: Used to steep the tea bags into a concentrated chai.
- Honey: Adds gentle sweetness that complements the spices without overpowering them.
- Vanilla Extract: Softens the spice and adds warmth to the chai base.
Dirty Chai Latte
- Chai Concentrate: Made from the ingredients listed above.
- Milk of Choice: Whole milk makes the latte extra creamy, while oat milk or almond milk work well for a lighter or dairy-free option.
- Espresso: This is what makes the drink “dirty,” adding bold coffee flavor and extra caffeine.
- Cinnamon: A light dusting adds warmth and finishes the drink.
- Star Anise and Cinnamon Stick: Optional, but they give the latte a true coffeehouse feel.
Vanilla Bean Cold Foam
- Heavy Cream: Creates thick, spoonable foam.
- Chobani Sweet Cream Creamer (or creamer of choice): Adds sweetness and richness; dairy-free works if needed.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds real vanilla flavor and those signature flecks.
How to Make a Dirty Chai Latte
Chai Tea Concentrate
Step 1: Bring water to a gentle boil, then remove from heat. Add chai tea bags and steep for 15-20 minutes so the concentrate is bold and flavorful. Remove the tea bags, stir in honey and vanilla while warm, then let cool completely before storing in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Hot Dirty Chai Latte
Step 1: Heat the chai concentrate and milk together until hot but not boiling. Froth or whisk until creamy, pour into a mug, then add the espresso. Spoon vanilla bean cold foam over the top and finish with a dusting of cinnamon and optional star anise or cinnamon stick.
Cold Dirty Chai Latte
Step 1: Fill a glass with ice. Add chai concentrate first, followed by cooled espresso, then milk. Pour slowly to keep the layers visible, then top with vanilla bean cold foam and a dusting of cinnamon.
Vanilla Bean Cold Foam
Step 1: Add all cold foam ingredients to a frother or jar and froth until thick and fluffy. Spoon generously over hot or iced lattes and finish with cinnamon.
Mac’s Pro Tip
How to Store the Chai Base
Once cooled, store the brewed chai base in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This makes it easy to prep ahead and assemble hot or iced dirty chai lattes throughout the week without starting from scratch each time!
If you like this dirty chai latte, you have to try my brown sugar latte or Teddy Graham latte next!
Recipe FAQs
Most dirty chai lattes use one shot of espresso, but you can easily add a second if you want a stronger coffee flavor.
Yes! Use your favorite dairy-free milk and a dairy-free creamer for the cold foam if desired.
A dirty chai tea latte usually has more caffeine than plain chai but slightly less than a full cup of coffee, depending on how much espresso you add.
This dirty chai latte is the kind of drink that feels special without requiring a trip to the coffee shop. Whether you’re easing into a slow morning with something warm or craving an iced treat later in the day, it delivers balanced caffeine, cozy spice, and just enough indulgence to feel like a treat. And if you love fun, frothy coffee drinks, my pumpkin whipped coffee is another easy favorite that brings that same coffeehouse-style flair right to your kitchen.
Easy Dirty Chai Latte Recipe (Hot or Iced!)
Ingredients
Chai Concentrate (makes 3 cups)
- 8 chai tea bags
- 3 cups water
- ⅓ cup honey or sugar free syrup of choice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Dirty Chai Latte
- ½ cup chai concentrate
- ½ cup milk of choice (regular or dairy-free)
- 1-2 shot espresso
- Cinnamon for dusting
Vanilla Bean Sweet Cream
- Star Anise and cinnamon stick for garnish
- 2 tbsp heavy cream regular or dairy-free
- 2 tbsp Chobani Sweet Cream creamer or creamer of choice (sub dairy-free if desired)
- ¼ tsp vanilla bean paste
Instructions
Chia Concentrate
- Bring water to a gentle boil, then remove from heat. Add chai tea bags and steep for 15-20 minutes so the concentrate is bold and flavorful. Remove the tea bags, stir in honey and vanilla while warm, then let cool completely before storing in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Iced Latte
- Fill a glass with ice. Add chai concentrate, then cooled espresso, then milk. Top with the cold foam and garnish with dusting of cinnamon, star anise and cinnamon stick.
Hot Latte
- Heat chai concentrate and milk until hot (do not boil). Froth or whisk until creamy. Pour into a mug and add espresso and top with the vanilla bean cold foam. Dust with cinnamon and garnish with star anise and cinnamon stick
Vanilla Bean Cold Foam
- Froth all ingredients until thick and fluffy. Spoon over the lattes.
Notes
- Once cooled, store the brewed chai base in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This makes it easy to prep ahead and assemble hot or iced dirty chai lattes throughout the week without starting from scratch each time!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
