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    Home » Type » Drinks » Coffee

    Dirty Chai Latte Recipe - Your New Favorite Coffee Drink!

    Published: Dec 14, 2021 · Modified: Jun 20, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    This Dirty Chai Latte Recipe combines a sweetly spiced masala chai latte with a shot of espresso for an aromatic, cozy beverage. And don't worry if you don't have a milk frother or steamer; I'm sharing two methods to easily froth milk at home without any fancy equipment!

    dirty chai latte with espresso

    As far as unique coffee shop beverages go, I hadn't heard of this one until recently when a friend told me about it.

    She said this is her go-to in the fall instead of a Pumpkin Spice Latte. You still get the warm spices and subtle sweetness, but without the flavor of pumpkin!

    I was intrigued. One sip in I realized that Dirty Chai is a hidden gem.

    dirty chai

    In This Article

    • What is Dirty Chai Latte?
    • The Best Dirty Chai Latte Recipe
    • Tips for Making a Dirty Chai Latte
    • Dirty Chai FAQs
    • More Fun and Unique Drinks to Try
    • Dirty Chai Latte Recipe

    What is Dirty Chai Latte?

    This Dirty Chai Latte Recipe basically combines a Masala Chai Latte with a shot of espresso. It has an alluring spiced aroma, and is a perfect marriage of tea and coffee.

    A Masala Chai Latte is typically black tea steeped with spices like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and peppercorns, served with steamed milk.

    masala spices

    The "dirty" part of this drink comes from the fact that a shot of espresso is added to the Masala Chai Latte.

    To make it extra dirty (or filthy!), add two shots of espresso per serving!

    steeping chai tea

    Why is it Called a Dirty Chai?

    The name of this drink comes from the fact that when you add espresso, it "muddies" or "dirties" the color of the latte.

    dirty chai latte with description

    The Best Dirty Chai Latte Recipe

    This coffeehouse beverage is very easy to make at home!

    The recipe below is the from-scratch version if you have a well-stocked spice cabinet. Here's what goes into it:

    • Cardamom pods
    • Cloves
    • Star anise
    • Cinnamon stick
    • Fresh ginger
    • Peppercorns
    • Freshly-grated nutmeg
    • Water
    • Coconut sugar, or sweetener of choice
    • Black tea bags
    • Milk
    • Espresso or strong hot coffee

    Check out my Honey Vanilla Masala Chai Recipe if you want to make sweet spiced chai concentrate that you can keep in the fridge to make a Dirty Chai Latte anytime!

    how to froth steamed milk in french press

    Tips for Making a Dirty Chai Latte

    • Simplify the chai. Omit the cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick, ginger, peppercorns, nutmeg, and black tea bags and instead use 2 chai tea bags (find chai tea bags on Amazon).
    • Swap out the sweetener. Change the type and amount of sweetener in this recipe to suit your tastes. You can even use a keto sweetener to keep this low carb!
    • You can froth milk easily at home. To froth milk in a French press, heat milk in a saucepan on the stovetop until steaming. Carefully pour the hot milk into a French press, put the lid on top, and plunge up and down until you have a good amount of foam on the top (it should almost double in volume). Or to froth milk in a mason jar, fill a 1-cup mason jar about halfway with milk, put the lid on tightly, and shake vigorously until it's frothed (about 30 seconds). Remove the lid and microwave briefly (about 30 to 45 seconds) to warm the milk.
    masala chai with espresso in a dirty chai latte

    Dirty Chai FAQs

    How Much Sugar is in a Dirty Chai Latte?

    This Dirty Chai Latte Recipe uses 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar per serving.

    The nice thing about making this drink at home is that you can add more or less sweetener if desired. Also, you can use a different sweetener if you prefer, such as honey, brown sugar, stevia, etc. And to make it low-carb, use a keto sweetener.

    dirty chai latte

    Can You Drink Chai Without Milk?

    Traditionally in India (where chai is from), chai (meaning "tea") is served with milk.

    However, if you prefer a non-dairy Chai Latte when you're making Dirty Chai, you can use whatever type of plant-based milk you like. 

    Alternatively, you can omit the milk and use hot water instead, just note that the drink won't be creamy like a latte.

    festive masala chai with espresso shot

    How Do I Order a Dirty Chai Latte at Starbucks?

    A Dirty Chai Latte is part of the Starbucks "Secret Menu". To order this drink at Starbucks, simply ask for a chai latte with a shot of espresso!

    homemade dirty chai latte

    More Fun and Unique Drinks to Try

    • Iced Bubble Coffee
    • Thai Iced Tea
    • Bulletproof Matcha Latte
    • Butternut Butterscotch Latte
    • Blended Iced Cinnamon Lattes
    • Rose Tea Latte with Vanilla Rooibos
    • 5-Minute Low Carb Hot Chocolate
    dirty chai latte recipe

    Let's Connect

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

    To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

    dirty chai latte featured image

    Dirty Chai Latte Recipe

    By: Faith Gorsky
    This Dirty Chai Latte Recipe combines a sweetly spiced masala chai latte with a shot of espresso for an aromatic, cozy beverage. And don't worry if you don't have a milk frother or steamer; I'm sharing two methods to easily froth milk at home without any fancy equipment!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Steeping Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 103 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 cardamom pods
    • 4 whole cloves
    • 2 whole star anise
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • ½ inch piece fresh ginger peeled and thinly sliced
    • ¼ teaspoon peppercorns
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly-grated nutmeg
    • 2 cups water
    • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or sweetener of choice
    • 2 black tea bags
    • ½ cup whole milk steamed or warmed
    • 2 shots hot espresso or ½ cup strong hot coffee

    Instructions
     

    • Add the cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick, ginger slices, peppercorns, nutmeg, and water to a saucepan over medium heat.
    • Bring to a boil, and then turn the heat off, stir in the sugar, and add tea bags. Cover the saucepan and steep for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how strong you want it.
    • Strain out the spices. Whisk in the warm milk and hot espresso. Serve.

    Faith's Tips

    • Use Chai Tea Bags Instead of Spices. If you prefer, you can omit the cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick, ginger, peppercorns, nutmeg, and black tea bags and instead use 2 chai tea bags (find chai tea bags on Amazon).
    • Swap Out the Sweetener For Your Favorite. You can change the type and amount of sweetener in this recipe to suit your tastes. You can even use a keto sweetener to keep this low carb!
    • Make frothed milk easily at home. No worries if you don't have a milk frother, you can froth milk easily at home. To froth milk in a French press, heat milk in a saucepan on the stovetop until steaming. Carefully pour the hot milk into a French press, put the lid on top, and plunge up and down until you have a good amount of foam on the top (it should almost double in volume). Or to froth milk in a mason jar, fill a 1-cup mason jar about halfway with milk, put the lid on tightly, and shake vigorously until it's frothed (about 30 seconds). Remove the lid and microwave briefly (about 30 to 45 seconds) to warm the milk.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Dirty Chai Latte Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 103 Calories from Fat 27
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 3g5%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Cholesterol 6mg2%
    Sodium 65mg3%
    Potassium 125mg4%
    Carbohydrates 20g7%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 11g12%
    Protein 3g6%
    Vitamin A 99IU2%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 115mg12%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword Dirty Chai, Dirty Chai Latte, Dirty Chai Latte Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
    dirty chai latte recipe pin

    This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on December 3, 2020. I updated it with more information on December 14, 2021.

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    Hi, I'm Faith!

    I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind An Edible Mosaic. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had. Welcome to An Edible Mosaic!

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