Easy Homemade Instant Chai Latte Tea Mix Recipe
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Fall is on its way, so it’s time to prepare for those early mornings and evenings with a nip in the air. Chilly temps are a perfect time for getting cozy and sipping on a warm mug of spiced tea, and this recipe makes it easier than ever!
Why you’ll love this 5-minute chai tea recipe!
Ingredient notes
- Milk powder | For the creamy element of the chai tea latte, use non-fat dry milk powder.
- Powdered creamer | Add plain, non-dairy powdered creamer and French vanilla-flavored non-dairy creamer for extra creamy notes.
- Sugar | Add a bit of granulated sugar to sweeten the beverage.
- Instant tea | Mix in some unsweet instant tea for the ‘tea’ component of this easy beverage recipe.
- Spices | Bring the cozy and aromatic spices of traditional chai tea with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cardamom.
How to make Quick and Easy Chai Tea Latte Powder Mix
Enjoy a cup of creamy and spiced Chai tea latte any time of day and anywhere with this simple mix– Just add hot water, and you have the perfect cup of tea!
STEP 1 | Combine and store
Simply measure out and combine all of the ingredients.
STEP 2 | Combine and store
Now, take out a blender or food processor. Working in 1 to 2-cup batches at a time — blend the mixture in a food processor until it is the consistency of a fine powder.
tips
- If desired, place all the spices — cloves, allspice berries, and cinnamon sticks — in a square of cheesecloth and tie it with kitchen twine. Then, add apple slices to the cider instead.
- For an adult version, add one-half cup of dark rum, bourbon, or brandy to the simmering cider.
Then store the chai mix in a tightly sealed jar. A mason jar is perfect for keeping the mixture dry between uses.
STEP 3 | Add hot water and serve!
To serve, place 2 heaping tablespoons of Chai Tea Mix into a mug. Then, add hot water and stir until the tea mixture is dissolved, making a delicious cup of instant chai tea!
While you’re at it, check out more of my autumn-inspired recipes, like this delicious Fall Harvest Chicken Salad, decadent and easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies, and these Cinnamon Pancakes with Apple Compote!
Frequently asked questions
Chai latte powder is a mix of chai spices, like cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, and more, with instant tea, powdered milk or creamer, and sugar. It’s used to make a warm chai tea latte by simply adding hot water and stirring the ingredients together.
It’s easily confused with chai powder or chai spice mix, but this combination typically only includes the signature chai spices to be sprinkled on baked goods or the whipped cream or foam on top of a latte or similar beverage.
Sure! First, combine the chai tea blend with minimal hot water to let the ingredients dissolve into the water. Then, pour the beverage over ice and add cold water to chill the drink– Easy!
Yes– Chai tea naturally contains caffeine unless you ask for it decaffeinated. The instant tea mix in the recipe is where the caffeine comes from. If you prefer it to be decaffeinated, use decaf instant tea instead.
Nope! This recipe will last for about a year when stored in a cool, dark place in a tightly sealed container. Unlike some chai tea concentrates, there’s no need to refrigerate the mix unless it’s a cup of chai latte combined with water.
Serving suggestions for the Best Chai Latte Powder
Sip on your spicy chai latte while biting into Healthy Date Bars, my fall-favorite Apple Cinnamon Bread, addictive Cinnamon Roll Baked Doughnuts, these chewy and delightful Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, or Starbucks-inspired Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes!
Looking for more Holiday-Worthy Beverages?
There’s almost nothing better than a hot beverage during the colorful and cozy fall season. Try my classic Hot Apple Cider Recipe and rich Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha! Or, if you prefer iced drinks, no matter what the weather is, this Refreshing Blueberry Tea is definitely worth a try!
Behind the recipe: Chai Tea Lattes
“Chai” is the common word for “tea” in many parts of the world. What we’ve come to enjoy at American coffee houses originated in India as a spiced milk tea generally made up of a sweetened, rich black tea, heavy milk, and a combination of the perfect blend of warm fall-inspired spices.
Today, chai tea lattes are a popular drink choice, especially during the holiday season. You’ll find it featured at coffee and tea shops, cafes, and grocery stores throughout September through January.
Like this recipe?
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Easy Homemade Instant Chai Latte Tea Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-fat dry milk powder
- 1 cup non-dairy powdered creamer
- 1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ cups unsweet instant tea
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon all spice
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir until well combined.
- Working in batches — 1 to 2 cups at a time — blend the mixture in a food processor until it is the consistency of a fine powder.
- Store the chai tea mix in a jar with a tight lid.
- To serve, place 2 heaping tablespoons of the mix into a mug. Add hot milk or boiling water and stir until dissolved.
Notes
- One of the best parts of this simple powdered mix is that it makes for a lovely holiday gift! Package it in a mason jar, add a cute tag with instructions, and that’s it!
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
About Sheila Thigpen
Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer
Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! It has just the right amount of spices and is easy to make and store. I reduced the sugar to suit my personal preference, and I blend the ingredients in my Blend Jet. I live in Michigan and it has suddenly become difficult to find unsweetened instant tea in the winter. My solution is to use Waka instant black tea, which I add 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon to my mug and then add the Chia Mix to my cup like a powdered creamer. I add my hot water and it is sure bliss!!!❤️
Could you please tell me what the name of the instant tea is you use.
Thank you for this comforting recipe.
Mary, usually I use Lipton Unsweetened Decaffeinated Instant Tea Mix for this recipe, however any powdered tea mix should work. Thanks!
Do you grind the spices? I’ve made this and even blending it in my bullet, find it very granular. Very yummy, but granular. Some of the spices don’t dissolve. Have I done something wrong?
Hi, Cindy. You should definitely use ground spices in this recipe.
Do you by chance know what the shelf life of this would be?
Kelsey, I’d determine the shelf life by looking at the expiration date on the ingredients’ package (that you use to make the recipe). Happy Holidays!
What’s the serving measurement per cup of hot water?
Shannell, add about 6 ounces of hot water to 2 tablespoons of the chai tea mix and whisk for a delicious drink!
Can you change the French vanilla to a different flavor?
Diann, you can experiment if you like, but I think a vanilla variation will work best.