How to Make a Dirty Chai Latte

Let’s learn how to make a dirty chai tea latte from scratch that is simple, economical, and fully customizable! This recipe is full of comforting spices and is a fun and unique variation to both chai lattes and coffee lattes. You will be surprised by how delicious and creamy this drink is!

I’ll be honest, I like both tea and coffee.  While chai is my go-to drink, it’s fun to switch it up every once in a while and this recipe combines both tea and coffee for a unique drink packed with flavor. 

If you like chai, try this vanilla chai latte, or matcha chai latte!

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What is a Dirty Chai?

Dirty chai is a popular drink that combines both a coffee latte and a chai latte into a delicious and custom drink. While I’m not sure of the origins of this drink, it has been around for a while. Now a fairly popular latte, You can order it at most coffee shops including Starbucks, or you can make your own at home with this easy recipe!

Why You Will Love

• Easy to Make
• Uses only natural ingredients
• Fully customizable
• Economical

Ingredients

• Black Tea – Any black tea should work just fine in this recipe. Some ideas include Assam or English Breakfast. You can make this dirty chai with tea bags or with loose-leaf tea.
• Strongly Brewed Coffee – Typically a shot of espresso would be used here, but I think a strongly brewed coffee works just as well. You can use espresso if you like or just double the number of coffee beans you would use for a typical cup of coffee.
• Milk – Any milk is great for this recipe. Make an extra rich latte by using full-fat milk, or satisfy any dietary restrictions by using plant-based milk. Unsweetened almond milk and oat milk are my favorite variations.
• Water – Sometimes water can be overlooked, but water plays an important part in preparing drinks. Use filter watered if possible.
• Brown Sugar – Brown sugar is full of molasses and caramel flavors. It adds complexity and completes the taste of this drink. 
• Coriander – Use whole coriander for this recipe. Not only is it easier to strain but whole coriander keeps its flavor longer.
• Black Peppercorn – Use whole black pepper. For the same reason as coriander, whole peppercorns although crushed are easier to strain.
• Cloves – Cloves bring wonderful spiciness to this amazing drink!
• Cinnamon – A staple in most kitchens, cinnamon is one of the most popular spices around the world. Use a whole cinnamon stick for this recipe.
• Star Anise – This is such a pretty spice. You might consider using an extra one for garnish!
• Vanilla Bean Paste – Vanilla bean paste is perfect to add a bit of vanilla flavoring to this drink. You can also use vanilla extract if that is what you have on hand.

How to Make a Dirty Chai Tea Latte

Prepare Coffee

To make this drink start by prepping your coffee. You can use espresso, or just make a doubly strong cup of coffee!

Make Chai 

Measure spices into a mortar and pestle and gently begin to crush them. Add water in a small saucepan on the stovetop and pour in prepared spices. Let the spices and water simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and add in tea. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain out tea and spices pressing down on the strainer to extract as much liquid from them as you can.

Foam Milk

Steam and froth milk. ( see details below for how to heat and foam milk with just a handheld wand.

Assemble Drink 

Pour together spiced tea and coffee and stir in brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved.

Divide the drink into two serving cups and top with milk. Enjoy!

Dirty Chai Recipe

Kitchen Tools

• Mortar and Pestle
• Saucepan
• Milk Frothing Wand

Ingredients

• Black Tea Bags or Loose Leaf
• Strongly Brewed Coffee 
• Milk 
• Water  
• Brown Sugar  
• Coriander
• Black Peppercorn 
• Cloves  
• Cinnamon  
• Star Anise 
• Vanilla Bean Paste 

Instructions

1. Start by prepping your coffee. (Use double the amount of coffee beans that you would for a typical cup)
2. While your coffee is brewing, add spices to a mortar and pestle and gently begin to crush them. 
3. Add water in a small saucepan on the stovetop and pour in prepared spices. Let the spices simmer in the water for 10 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and add in tea. Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
5. Strain out tea and spices pressing down on the strainer to extract as much liquid from them as you can.
6. Steam and froth milk. 
7. Pour together spiced tea and coffee and stir in brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
8. Divide the drink into two serving cups and top with milk. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

• This recipe calls for strongly brewed coffee. You can also use espresso or use more coffee if desired for a stronger coffee taste.
• Strongly brewed coffee has a higher ratio of coffee to water. I double the number of coffee beans that I would use for a regular cup.
• Make it sugar-free by using maple syrup or honey in place of brown sugar.
• For a vegan dirty chai or dirty chai with oat milk, use plant-based milk. My personal favorites are almond and oat milk. Be sure to use unsweetened.
• If you want to void using coffee, but still want the flavor, try this coffee alternative instead from Sip Herbals!
• Rather be drinking an iced drink? Make it an iced dirty chai by following the same instructions and pouring over ice and topping it with milk!
• Use filtered water for the purest taste.

How to Froth Milk

The key to making this dirty chai like the one you would purchase in a coffee shop is steaming and frothing your milk. Not only does it create that desirable foamy top but warming your milk also keeps this latte hot longer. 

Fortunately, frothing milk is easy to do at home. If you have an electric steam and frother that is great for preparing your milk. It should automatically steam your milk to the perfect temperature. If not, you can DIY  in two easy steps and all you will need is an inexpensive handheld frothing wand!

Steps to Steam and Froth Milk for a Dirty Chai Latte

1. In a small saucepan, heat your milk to 150°F. You can use any type of kitchen thermometer to watch the temperature.
2. Once the milk is warmed, you can pour it into the small pitcher that came with your wand. Insert the wand all the way into the milk and turn it on. Let the milk start foaming then angle the wand to the side and froth for about 20 seconds. Each wand works a little differently so you might have to experiment a little to find the perfect amount of time for your milk.

Questions

What is dirty chai?

Dirty chai is a delicious drink that combines both coffee and spiced tea together in one delightful latte.

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

A chai latte only contains tea, and spices, and is topped with milk. Dirty chai includes coffee, most often a shot of espresso. 

I hope you love this recipe! If you do please leave a 5-star review below! I love to hear from you. Leave a comment and let’s connect!