What is a Chai Latte?

A chai latte is spiced tea concentrate mixed with steamed milk, served in an 8 to 12 oz cup. The spice blend typically includes cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove, and black pepper, brewed into a strong black tea base.

The word "chai" already means "tea" in Hindi, so "chai tea latte" is technically redundant. But that is what Starbucks calls it, so that is what most English speakers say.

There are two very different versions: house-made concentrate and commercial syrup

Chains use a premade chai concentrate that is heavily sweetened and one-dimensional. Specialty shops that make their own chai from whole spices and loose-leaf tea produce something completely different: complex, warming, with distinct spice notes that change as the drink cools.

Ask the shop whether their chai is house-made or commercial before ordering. In Portland and Denver, many specialty shops make their own chai and it shows in the final cup. Shops like Heart Coffee Roasters and Sightglass carry well-sourced chai programs.

"A chai latte made with house-spiced concentrate and whole spices is not the same category as a chain chai latte made with flavored syrup. One has depth. One has sweetness."

Caffeine in a chai latte

A chai latte typically contains 30 to 70mg of caffeine from the black tea base. A dirty chai (chai latte with an espresso shot) adds 63mg for a total of 95 to 135mg. Read more in what is a dirty chai? and coffee vs tea caffeine.

Hot vs iced chai latte

Both work well. Iced chai with oat milk over ice is one of the best summer drinks at a specialty shop. Hot chai latte with whole milk is better in cold months. A concentrate made from whole spices holds up over ice without losing its complexity. This is why the iced chai latte has become a year-round bestseller in Los Angeles and across the US.

Related: What is a dirty chai?, Coffee vs tea caffeine, Matcha latte vs coffee.