Refreshing and perfectly spiced matcha chai latte with the perfect balance of earthy matcha flavor and warming chai spices. Easy to make at home either hot or iced!
Table of contents
If you also love all things matcha and spices, this matcha chai latte is guaranteed to become your favourite thing ever! This perfect combination is a match made in heaven, with fresh, earthy matcha flavor and warm cozy chai spices!
This homemade recipe tastes even better than the Starbucks iced matcha chai latte for only a fraction of the cost. So skip the queues and make your own in only a few minutes! This Chai Matcha Latte uses only homemade ingredients like chai concentrate or chai syrup.
Matcha Chai Latte is perfect for all occasions, since you can serve it both cold and hot. The unique flavors of Japanese green tea and masala chai are guaranteed to make anyone fall in love with this drink!
If you love delicious drink recipes, you’ll also enjoy my Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte, Iced Hojicha Latte, Ube Matcha Latte, Cherry Blossom Matcha Sakura Latte or Strawberry Matcha Latte.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Perfect Flavor Combination – The earthy matcha and spiced chai syrup go really well together to make a unique flavor. It’s perfect for those who don’t like the plain flavor of matcha.
- Hot or Iced – Enjoy it steaming hot in the winter or as an iced matcha chai latte for a refreshing summer drink.
- Easy to make – This Matcha Chai Latte recipe only takes minutes to put together, so definitely quicker than queuing up at Starbucks!
- Less sugar – Unlike the Starbucks iced matcha chai latte which is packed with sugar, this recipe has little to no added sugar. You can also adjust the level of sweetness for a healthier option!
What is Matcha Chai Latte?
Matcha chai latte is a delicious drink made with chai spices, traditional Japanese matcha powder and milk. It’s a well-balanced latte with subtle hints of fresh green tea and notes of cinnamon, star anise and black pepper.
Chai Matcha Latte can be made using either Chai Syrup or Chai Concentrate, and I highly recommend making your own! Choose Syrup if you like sweeter drinks or Concentrate for lower sugar.
The flavor combination works really well, as the chai spices tone down the earthy or grassy taste of matcha. So this latte is perfect for those who don’t like matcha flavor on its own!
It’s no wonder this drink is very popular in coffee shops! Its unique flavor and sweetness makes it taste like a delicious fusion dessert! It can be served either hot or cold.
Ingredient round-up
- Matcha – I recommend using ceremonial matcha powder, the highest quality Japanese green tea powder you can find. High quality matcha has a fresher flavor with no bitterness.
- Chai – I highly encourage making your own Chai Concentrate or Chai Syrup. Concentrate works best for less sweetness and Chai Syrup is better if you like sweet drinks.
- If you’re in a rush you can use store-bought Chai Concentrate or Chai Syrup.
- Or use a blend of ground spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper and others.
- Milk – You can use dairy milk or plant-based milk like almond milk or coconut milk. I personally prefer making it with oat milk.
Optional
- Extra spices – Add some ground ginger or black pepper to enhance the warming chai spices.
- Star Anise & Cinnamon Stick – Perfect for garnish and extra spice.
How to make this recipe
- In a small bowl, sift your ceremonial matcha powder.
Add a little hot water over the matcha, then whisk until it looks like a paste. - Pour more water and use a bamboo matcha whisk or electric milk frother to mix until smooth foam forms.
- Separately, use a milk frother to heat up the milk for hot Matcha Chai Latter. Or set it on the cold setting to just make it foamy (for the iced version).
- In a glass add the chai concentrate (or chai syrup), then top with milk. Add ice cubes for iced Matcha Chai Latte. Carefully pour the matcha on top. Stir well and serve!
Substitutes & Variations
- No Chai Syrup? Make the quick version infusion using a chai tea bags and a little hot water.
- Dairy-Free - Swap out whole milk for oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk for a plant-based milk alternative.
- Stronger Chai Flavor - Use chai concentrate instead of syrup for a bolder flavor kick!
- Sweetener – If using Chai Concentrate, you can sweeten your drink with some maple syrup, honey or a bit of sugar.
- Vanilla – A small dash of vanilla bean paste will add sweetness and a floral flavor that goes well with the warm spices!
Success Tips & Tricks
- Use High-Quality Matcha – Ceremonial grade matcha powder has the smoothest, least bitter taste.
- Sift the matcha – Use a small sieve to sift your matcha powder for a smooth drink. If you skip this step, your drink will have small lumps of matcha at the bottom, which aren’t very pleasant.
- Whisk the Matcha Properly – Take your time when preparing the matcha. Use a bamboo whisk or electric whisk for a lump-free, smooth drink.
- Use a milk frother – For that café style drink, an electric milk frother is a must! It can be used for both cold and hot versions of this Matcha Chai Latte.
- Layered look – If you want that beautiful layered look, make sure you pour the matcha very slowly. Also, don’t sweeten the matcha, as this can make it sink to the bottom.
Frequently asked questions
Chai syrup is thicker, made with ground spices and tea, and is great for sweetening drinks.
Chai concentrate is a pre-brewed, stronger tea version with more liquid and usually no sugar. Choose syrup if you want a sweet drink or concentrate for sugar free.
Absolutely! Just swap dairy milk for plant-based milk like soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk.
For best flavor, make it fresh, but you can store in a mason jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
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If you’ve tried this recipe out, please don’t forget to rate and comment on this post. I love hearing from you, so feel free to reach out to me on social media as well and tag me in your posts!
Recipe
Easy Matcha Chai Latte: Hot or Iced Starbucks Copycat
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon ceremonial matcha powder
- ½ cup hot water
- 4 tablespoons chai syrup
- 10 ice cubes
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
- In a small bowl, sift the matcha powder using a fine sieve. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of hot water (not boiling) over it. Use a bamboo whisk to mix into a paste.
- Pour another 3-4 tablespoons of hot water into the matcha, then whisk using circular motions until foamy and frothy.
- Separately, in a serving glass add the chai syrup, then place ice cubes on top (optional for iced version). Use chai concentrate for a sugar-free version.
- If desired, use a milk frother to make the milk extra creamy and foamy.
- Pour milk over the ice, filling up the glass ⅔ of the way to the top.
- Lastly, gently pour the prepared matcha on top. Pouring it very slowly helps keep the layers separate.
- Give everything a good mix before drinking, and enjoy!
Notes
- Hot water should not exceed 80°C (175°F).
- Dairy milk can be replaced with plant-based alternatives.
- Nutritional information is estimative and for reference only.
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