Enjoy this matcha chai tea latte recipe inspired by the popular Starbucks drink. This tea latte doesn’t disappoint with bright bold flavor or nutrition.
This recipe was inspired when I first heard about a matcha chai latte from Starbucks. The thought of matcha and chai intrigued me. I recently shared about all the health benefits of chai and matcha is no stranger on the health scene. The two combined are a powerhouse of nutrition, but I was curious how the almost grassy matcha would pair with the spicy chai flavors.
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Matcha Latte with Chai
In all honesty, I was hooked from the first sip! I had homemade unsweetened chai concentrate on hand and I decided to mix it with matcha. A matcha and chai latte is a match made in heaven and these flavors combine into a divinely tasting drink. Next, I decided to add a bit of sugar to see how it would taste sweetened and I think I’ve found the perfect drink. I’m excited to share this recipe because it is amazingly simple to make yet the taste is complex. You can defiantly taste matcha and chai in every sip.
Why You Will Love this Matcha Chai Latte Recipe
- Packed with Health Benefits
- Tastes Absolutely Wonderful
- Can Be Enjoyed Hot or Iced
- Fully Customizable – Make with whole milk or non-dairy milk, sweetened or unsweetened.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a true tea that comes from the tea plant Camellia sinensis. It is unique from other teas as the entire tea leaf is consumed. Matcha is grown using a special process where the leaves are shaded, causing the plant to produce fewer tannins and more amino acids and chlorophyll, giving their leaves an extra bright color. The tea is carefully harvested and steamed and dried. It is then stone-ground into a very fine powder and carefully packaged.
Health Benefits of Matcha
Matcha is considered a superfood and is full of health benefits. Many studies have been done with matcha and some have indicated positive impacts on the skin, for weight loss, concentration, bone health, cancer prevention, heart health, and even diabetes. Matcha is a true tea that contains caffeine. But unlike coffee or other highly caffeinated drinks which may create an “energy high” and an energy crash, matcha contains an amino acid called L-theanine that gives a slow release of energy over several hours.
What is Chai?
Chai means tea but the name has become known to mean a popular milk tea first created in India. Chai is one of the most delicious and healthful milk teas which combines strongly brewed black tea with spices and milk. Often sugar is included to sweeten this tea. The common name across the world for this tea – chai tea latte is technically incorrect and actually a misnomer. As mentioned before chai means tea so when calling a chai latte a chai tea latte, is it just repeating the word tea. This wonderful blend of spices used in a tea latte could more appropriately be called marsala chai latte, translated literally as a spiced tea latte.
Health Benefits of Chai
- Chai can help boost the immune system and protect against disease.
- Gentle and focused energy throughout the day, without the jitters.
- Chai is a good source of vitamins and minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
- The spices in chai (such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger) can help to boost your metabolism and may even aid in weight loss, and manage pain from menstrual cramps.
- Chai has been said to aid in lowering cholesterol levels and improving overall heart health.
- Chai is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients for Matcha Chai Latte
- Chai Concentrate – Use this homemade chai concentrate recipe that is unsweetened. If you do choose to use a store-bought chai concentrate, look for one that is unsweetened so you can control the sweetness level of your tea latte.
- Matcha – Chose high-quality matcha for the best-tasting tea. Matcha should be organic and grown in Japan. The brighter green matcha powder the higher quality and better tasting!
- Milk – Any type of milk should work just fine in this recipe. Whole dairy milk will give a creamy rich tea. I personally used unsweetened almond milk as plant-based milk is also a great option. Always use unsweetened milk.
- Sweetener – Sweetening your latte is optional, but I have found that I really enjoy this matcha chai latte sweetened. Regular granulated sugar is perfect for this recipe, however, healthier options such as honey, stevia, maple syrup, or coconut sugar will work as well.
- Ice (if making iced matcha chai latte) – A handful of ice will make this latte nice and cold. For a refreshing iced matcha chai latte first, add a handful of ice to your glass. Use large ice cubes as small cubes or crushed ice will melt quickly and water down your tea.
How to Make Matcha Chai Latte, Hot or Iced
Kitchen Tools
Ingredients
- Matcha Green Tea Powder
- Chai Concentrate
- Milk
- Ice (optional)
Iced Matcha Chai Latte
- Whisk Matcha – Whisk together matcha and water until combined.
- Mix Chai Concentrate – Add chai concentrate to matcha and mix together. Now is the time to add your sweetener if you are using it. Mix until matcha, chai, and sweetener are totally combined.
- Add Ice – Add a handful of ice to your serving glass, and pour the matcha and chai mixture over the ice. Top with milk and stir.
- Serve – When serving, add a reusable sustainable stainless steel straw!
- Enjoy!
Hot Matcha Chai Latte
- Whisk Matcha – Whisk together matcha and warm water until combined.
- Mix Chai Concentrate – Add chai concentrate to matcha and mix together. Now is the time to add your sweetener if you are using it. Mix until matcha, chai, and sweetener are totally combined.
- Warm Milk – Steam milk with an electric steamer or on the stovetop. If desired, froth milk with a frothing wand for about 20 seconds.
- Assemble Drink – Pour matcha and chai into the tea cup and top with steamed milk.
- Enjoy!
Matcha Chai Latte Recipe Notes
- Use high-quality matcha.
- To make the best hot latte, don’t overheat the water you are mixing with the matcha. Matcha is best using hot water but not boiling.
- Make your own chai concentrate. It’s really easy with this recipe!
- Make sweet or unsweetened.
- Sugar options include but are not limited to, honey, stevia, granulated sugar, simple syrup, and coconut sugar.
- Make it dietary friendly, (paleo, keto, or whole30) by using plant-based milk options.
- Make it extra rich and cream using whole milk or a 1:1 ratio of half and half to milk.
Dietary Considerations and Substitutions
- This recipe contains caffeine.
- Substitute milk for your favorite kind of milk.
- Substitute sugar or leave unsweetened.
More Recipes You Will Love
I hope you enjoy this matcha chai latte! I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and if you try this recipe, please come back and leave a 5-star review!
Matcha Chai Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Teaspoon Matcha Green Tea Powder
- 1/2 Cup Chai Concentrate
- 1/2 Cup Milk
- 1/4 Cup Water Use Hot water for a Hot Latte
- 1 Tablespoons Sugar optional or Sugar Substitute
- Ice optional
Instructions
Iced Matcha Chai Latte
- Whisk Matcha – Whisk together matcha and water until combined.
- Mix Chai Concentrate – Add chai concentrate to matcha and mix together. Now is the time to add your sweetener if you are using it. Mix until matcha, chai, and sweetener are totally combined.
- Add Ice – Add a handful of ice to your serving glass, and pour the matcha and chai mixture over the ice. Top with milk and stir.
- Serve – To serve with a reusable sustainable straw!
- Enjoy!
Hot Matcha Chai Latte
- Whisk Matcha – Whisk together matcha and warm water until combined.
- Mix Chai Concentrate – Add chai concentrate to matcha and mix together. Now is the time to add your sweetener if you are using it. Mix until matcha, chai, and sweetener are totally combined.
- Warm Milk – Steam milk with an electric steamer or on the stovetop. If desired, froth milk with a frothing wand for about 20 seconds.
- Assemble Drink – Pour matcha and chai into the tea cup and top with steamed milk.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- To make the best hot latte, don’t overheat the water that you mix with the matcha. Matcha is best using hot water but not boiling.
- Use high-quality matcha.
- Make your own chai concentrate. It’s really easy with this recipe!
- Make sweet or unsweetened.
- Sugar options include but are not limited to, honey, stevia, granulated sugar, simple syrup, and coconut sugar.
- Make it dietary friendly, (paleo, keto, or whole30) by using plant-based milk options.
- Make it extra rich and cream using whole milk or a 1:1 ratio of half and half to milk.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only.
Yum! Matcha and chai are so good separately I can’t wait to try them together!
I wasn’t too sure the first time I had it, but I fell in love with the first sip! Enjoy!
Great post again! And benefits of Chai tea that I didn’t even know about!
Thanks! Yes, I love that my favorite drink has so many health benefits! Enjoy!
Did not realise matcha had all of these health benefits