A spicy homemade Vegan Chai Latte made with creamy oat milk, maple syrup and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and a dash of black pepper.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Seasonally Versatile – More often than not, I’m thinking of this drink for the cold months because of it’s warm spices and all around coziness appeal. But iced chai lattes are no stranger around here during the summer months. It’s an easy and versatile drink to whip up any time of the year.
Make It Perfect Every Time – Have you ever ordered one of these drinks from a coffee shop and wish you could tone down the sweetness just a touch or bring a bit more cinnamon to the party? When you make it yourself you have complete control over your chai latte experience. You pick the tea, the type of sweetener, and how much or how little of a certain spice you want to come through. It’s a perfect cup every time!
How To Make This Recipe
First we’ll grab our ingredients and measure them out.
Then we’ll whisk together all the chai spice ingredients (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper) and transfer to a spice container.
In a small saucepan over medium high heat, whisk together 2 cups of oat milk, 1 teaspoon of the chai spice mix, and the tea bags and bring to a boil. Once boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to rest for 1 minute. Then remove the tea bags with a slotted spoon and pour the tea into 2 small mugs (or one large 16 oz mug).
Next we get to froth some milk. Woot woot! Either of the two options below will give you great results. A simple hand whisk can also get you a decent froth with the thicker texture of oat milk. So whatever works for you!
Option 1 – Mason Jar and Microwave: To a mason jar, add the remaining ½ cup milk and maple syrup. Tightly screw the lid onto the mason jar and shake for 30-60 seconds. Remove the lid (very important!) and place into the microwave for 30 seconds on high to stabilize the foam (otherwise it will collapse into itself). Repeat as necessary.
Option 2 – Hand Frother: Rinse the saucepan after steeping the tea in the milk. Add the remaining ½ cup milk and maple syrup. Heat the milk until small bubbles start to form around the outter edge. It should be hot to the touch but not quite simmering (about 150 °F / 65°C).
Using a hand frother, add heated milk to a tall container and froth milk for about 20 seconds. Note: You can also use a french press to froth milk by pumping the milk 20 or so times, however it’s a bit trickier with oat milk as opposed to cow’s milk and you may need to use 1 cup to get enough foam.
Add frothed milk to the latte: Pour the milk and foam evenly between the mugs (or into 1 mug). Sprinkle with additional chai spices and serve.
Pro Tips For Best Results
Add 1 cup soaked cashews and blend together with the latte until smooth (best results when using a high speed blender).
Try adding some crushed ice to make it an iced chai latte.
Did you make this recipe?
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Vegan Chai Latte
Ingredients
Chai Spice Mix
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Latte Ingredients
- 2½ cups (20 oz / 590 mL) unsweetened oat milk divided
- 2 bags black tea
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Make the chai spice mix: In a small bowl, whisk together all the chai spice ingredients (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper). Transfer to a spice container.
- Make the tea: In a small saucepan over medium high heat, whisk together 2 cups of oat milk, 1 teaspoon of the chai spice mix, and the tea bags and bring to a boil. Once boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to rest for 1 minute. Remove tea bags with a slotted spoon. Pour into 2 small mugs (or one large 16 oz mug).
Froth the milk
- Option 1 – Mason Jar and Microwave: To a mason jar, add the remaining ½ cup milk and maple syrup. Tightly screw the lid onto the mason jar and shake for 30-60 seconds. Remove the lid (very important!) and place into the microwave for 30 seconds on high to stabilize the foam (otherwise it will collapse into itself). Repeat as necessary.
- Option 2 – Hand Frother: Rinse the saucepan after steeping the tea in the milk. Add the remaining ½ cup milk and maple syrup. Heat the milk until small bubbles start to form around the outter edge. It should be hot to the touch but not quite simmering (about 150 °F / 65°C).
- Using a hand frother, add heated milk to a tall container and froth milk for about 20 seconds. Note: You can also use a french press to froth milk by pumping the milk 20 or so times, however it's a bit trickier with oat milk as opposed to cow's milk and you may need to use 1 cup to get enough foam.
- Add frothed milk to the latte: Pour the milk and foam evenly between the mugs (or into 1 mug). Sprinkle with additional chai spices and serve.
Notes
- Try adding ice to make it an iced chai latte
- For an ultra creamy texture, add 1 cup soaked cashews and blend together with the latte until smooth (best results when using a high speed blender).