Everything about Starbucks Iced Chai Latte- Copycat Recipe, Calories, Variations

Coffee is mostly the go-to beverage for a majority of people across the world. However, iced Chai has attracted the fancy in the last few years. This combination of smooth, creamy, and sweet delicacy with some comforting spices, including black pepper, ginger, cloves, and cardamom, hits differently with every single sip.

Though various cafes and coffee houses have now invented their own spin on an iced chai latte, Starbucks offers the best, creamiest, and most delicious.

Nevertheless, it’s not always an easy task to visit Starbucks to enjoy an elegant beverage. So we are here with a copycat recipe for you to prepare right in your kitchen and enjoy regardless and whenever.

Along with the recipe, this article also illustrates the iced chai latte’s variations, health benefits, and calorie contents.

First, let’s dig in to understand what an Iced Chai latte is

Chai latte originated in India, where Chai translates to Tea. A typical chai latte is a combination of milk, water, and tea powder with optional sugar. However, the chai latte used in our recipe is the masala or warm spices version of Chai, where some extra spices are also added to the usual.

Not very sure, but Starbucks uses Tazo chai concentrate, which can be bought from stores and used in the copycat recipe. The stronger chai flavour enters from chai concentrate made from black Tea and warm spices. The following are the required ingredients to prepare a copycat of Starbucks’ iced chai latte

Also read: Very simple Homemade chai concentrate recipe

The required Ingredients

The recipe is divided into two parts: prepare tea concentrate and set it to chill. And the second one is to mix the chilled concentrate with cold milk and ice cubes, thereby preparing a latte.

• · Milk
• Ice
• Chai Concentrate
• Sugar Syrup 
• Honey
• Ginger Juice
• Natural Flavours
• Vanilla (optional)

Equipment Required

• · Saucepan
• Mesh sieve for straining the spices from the chai concentrate
• Mason jar or airtight container for storage purposes

Let’s begin with step one, to prepare chai concentrate

Start heating nearly 2 cups of water in a saucepan along with the spices for over 5 minutes on medium heat. Allow the ingredients to simmer for around 5-7 minutes, and then turn off the stove. Add 1 tea bag and 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey to it and let it set for some time. 

After nearly 5-7 minutes, pour the concentrate through a mesh strainer into a container and set it to be chilled in the fridge. You can also opt for store-bought concentrates and pre-mixed tea bags; however, the strong flavour cannot be guaranteed.

Step two is to prepare the latte

Pour half cup of homemade or store-bought tea concentrate into the cup. Add one-third cup of cold milk and ice cubes, and it is all set to enjoy.

Here’s an additional tip– You can also store your homemade chai concentrate in the refrigerator for nearly two weeks.  

Now that you know the recipe, you must also know this is not the only version of an iced chai latte. Some are offered by Starbucks as well. You can try them for once and let us know how you like them. Following are some of the different versions of iced chai latte.

Variations of iced chai latte

The best thing about iced tea latte, more than its taste, is that it is easy, and so are the variations. Either add more flavours, spice it up, or use a different variety of ingredients. When added a little effort as well, you can end up making great variations. Make it more like your choice, if you are vegan use dairy-free milk. To make it more creamy use thick creamy milk. And there is always more. Following are some of the most loved variations of iced tea latte:

Dirty Chai

Dirty Chai is also one of the most famous beverages offered by Starbucks. A good-to-go option for a calm morning as well as a tired evening. If you are a coffee and chai lover and like enjoying both together sometimes, this can be an ideal drink for you. Dirty Chai is a combination of chai concentrate, espresso shot or shots, and milk, with optional sprinkled spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. You can enjoy this beverage in both hot and cold forms. Just make sure to allow it to be chilled for some time for the iced one. 

Vegan or dairy-free Chai

Now that people are highly adopting a vegan lifestyle, there are plenty of options available for them as well in most coffee shops, including Starbucks. Undeniably it is an honour for both vegans and animals. 

Dairy-free chai is also a healthy alternative for fitness freaks. They can now enjoy this beverage with less cautiousness and calories certainly. Vegan or dairy-free Chai has nothing different but the choices for milk since chai concentrate is already plant-based.

Vegan Chai can be prepared with coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, and soya milk. One of the best variations is adding vanilla almond milk or coconut milk, which offers an amazing and creamy flavour with a coconut-y taste. 

Ice Cubed chai

This is the most effortless recipe among all of the other variations. All you have to perform is to prepare chai concentrate, put it in an ice tray, and leave it to freeze. Later on, add the ice cubes to a glass of milk and let the ice melt slowly, leaving the flavour of concentrated masala chai in the glass of cold milk. Here you go, ready to enjoy a delicious latte.

The calorie content in iced chai latte

Every good thing is accompanied by some flaws, and it is the same with this delicacy. The majority of masala iced chai latte calories come from milk and sugar. The rest of the ingredients, including black Tea, spices, and water, have no calories. This is why the calorie intake in an iced chai latte can be customized based on milk choices and sweetener options.

Yet to present an idea regarding the calories in Starbucks chai latte, a grande Starbucks chai latte contains nearly 240 calories when made with 2% of milk with 42 grams of sugar, 2 grams of saturated fats, and 40 Kcal.

Are there any health benefits associated with an iced chai latte?

Not just a tasty treat, but an iced tea latte is also associated with some health benefits. The spices used to prepare the chai latte are rich in antioxidants, reduce inflammation, and protect against heart disease. 

To make it healthier, it is suggested to use homemade tea concentrate, as pre-packaged chai concentrates have a large content of sugar. Controlling the sugar content in your copycat Starbuck’s iced tea latte can be a reason to make it more delicious and health-some. 

Even Starbucks offer the skinny option for their iced tea latte, which is made with non-fat milk, sugar-free syrups, and absolutely no whipped cream. The only sugared ingredient would be the tea concentrate.

Wrapping it up

This was all about Starbucks’ iced chai latte, a healthy, easy-to-prepare, and delightful beverage with many customization choices. Be it a sunny cheering day or a cosy, relaxed evening, nothing can beat the company of this cold and pleasing beverage. Nonetheless, it cannot only set your mood but also comfort you with its spicy aromas and delicate flavours.

So, what are you waiting for? Skip the trip to the coffee shop sometimes and save yourself some money by making this delicious and refreshing iced tea latte at home. You have the recipe; go try it in your kitchen and experience the supreme cup of delicacy. Add the taste of your efforts to it and realize how easy this recipe is.

Also, we would be delighted to know about your experience with our copycat Starbucks’ iced chai latte recipe. Please let us know.

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