DIY Chai Latte Mix is super easy to create and offers you a healthier, more natural version of a cchai latte at home. Simply combine this chai mix with your favourite hot milk! There are also so many other uses for chai latte mix. To inspire you, there’s also a recipe for Chai Yoghurt Dessert Pots below too!
I have been enjoying some comforting moments with this DIY chai latte mix. It’s a little something I starting experimenting with a few months ago, when it hit me that I was addicted to chai lattes. They’ve had a revival (well, at least in my life). Sweet, yet spicy, and so beautifully fragrant. Yes, I do love a good chai.
The thing is, it’s actually pretty darn hard to find a good chai. I admit, I’ll guzzle down a chai made from “chai powder” if it’s all they have at a cafe and I really want one. But it’s never exactly how I want it (typically far too sweet) and I’m aware the powder is mainly made up of powdered sugar.
My recipe does incorporate coconut sugar, but you can dial down the sweetness to suit how you like it. The recipe is a bit like a cafe style chai latte, just a little more spicy and fragrant, and not so crazy sugary.
Yes, of course it does make an excellent homemade Christmas gift and hence why I’m posting it in late December! It’s so quick and easy to make so if you’ve left things to the last minute… you CAN still do this!
What to do with your DIY Chai Latte Mix
- When you’re creating the mix, add 1-2 tbsp turmeric to the mixture and make a gorgeous “golden mylk” turmeric chai latte mix! (I love this)
- Add cacao powder instead and make chocolate chai lattes;
- Make a “dirty chai” by adding a shot of espresso to your chai latte;
- Add 2 teaspoons of the mix to your pancake batter, or add to your baking (try it in these Maca Coconut Flour Pancakes);
- Toss a few spoonfuls over fruit like apples, pears, peaches or nectarines and roast in the oven for a dessert (also good in fruit pies);
- Sprinkle over yoghurt or ice cream.
SO many things you can do with this wonderful DIY chai latte mix! To inspire you, I’ve also included a recipe for Chai Yoghurt Dessert Pots below. Topped with pomegranate seeds they look decidedly festive.
Update April 2020
This post has been getting a lot of love lately, probably because we are all currently practising social isolation in light of the health crisis going on right now.
I have gone back to this recipe as lots of people have been emailing me and commenting on it.
I have adjusted the amount of the spices to make a milder, sweeter chai, and hopefully one that dissolves a bit better in milk.
I have also updated the suggested methods for making a chai latte. Out of the three methods I suggest I think the blender works the best.
How to make a chai latte with this mix (updated April 2020)
Here are my suggested methods:
- whisk chai powder with the milk in a saucepan over the stove, or
- dissolve the chai mix in a little hot water, and then add to a milk frother (e.g. Nespresso milk frother) together with cold milk and blend them together, or
- add chai powder and warmed milk to a blender and process until frothy.
DIY Chai Latte Mix
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp coconut sugar – add more for a sweeter drink
- 4 tbsp ginger – reduce to 3 tbsp for a less "spicy" chai
- 3 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp cardamom
- 1 tsp allspice
- 3/4 tsp cloves
- 3/4 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small jar and whisk with a fork or shake vigorously to combine. Done!
Chai Latte Instructions
- To make a chai latte, simply combine 1-2 teaspoons of the DIY chai latte mix with hot milk.
- You will get the best result if you whisk the milk thoroughly with the spices so the coconut sugar dissolves and the spices get stirred through the milk properly. Suggestions:(1) whisk chai powder with the milk in a saucepan over the stove, or (2) dissolve the chai mix in a little hot water, and then add to a milk frother (e.g. Nespresso milk frother) together with cold milk and blend them together, or(3) add chai powder and warmed milk to a blender and process until frothy.
Notes
Chai Yoghurt Dessert Pots
Chai Yoghurt Dessert Pots
Ingredients
- 2 peaches or nectarines
- 4 tbsp pomegranate seeds
- 3-4 squares dark chocolate
- 4-6 tbsp unsweetened yoghurt coconut or Greek yoghurt
- 2-3 tsp chai latte mix as per recipe above!
- 2 tsp maple syrup – OPTIONAL
Instructions
- Finely chop the chocolate so it resembles thin shards. (This is easiest if the chocolate is cold so cool it in the fridge. And use a large, sharp knife).
- Chop the peaches into small cubes and arrange in small dessert bowls or glasses. Spoon the yoghurt on top, followed by the chocolate shards and the pomegranate seeds. Sprinkle over the chai latte mix. If desired, drizzle over a little maple syrup too.
Notes
This chai latte recipe was not good and I have just waisted so many spices.
Thank you really love the spicy flavour. The only thing I can’t work out is the unpleasant bitterness in after taste? I added a couple of extra tspn of sugar when I made 2 cups, but despite nice spice flavour, the unpleasant bitterness is still there?Wondering if there is anything I can do for the remaining jar of mix to counteract the bitterness?
Hi Suzie, thanks for your message. I am actually not sure where this bitter taste could be coming from. My guess is possibly the cloves, which can be a bit bitter and may linger in the mouth longer? Besides sugar you could increase the amount of cinnamon so it’s more mild tasting. It is also possible some of the spices were a bit old and have gone bitter – that has happened to me!
Hi! I’m about to gather the ingredients for this mix. One question, however. The addition of turmeric or cocoa; is that to the entire mix or for each cup of chai?
Thank and I so look forward to making this, especially with the holidays right around the corner!
I preferred your original recipe/idea of a spicier chai mix. I appreciate you leaving the extras in your notes. But have you thought about putting both recipes up.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for the feedback 🙂 I like the spicier version myself, I just got quite a bit of feedback about it so I thought I would play it safe. But it’s so nice to hear from a fellow spicy chai fan that maybe I need to edit this recipe again and provide both!
please include the spicier, less sweet recipe! I want my chai to sucker punch me and I’ve been looking for a spicy one 🙂
Hahaha okay Adrianna it looks like I need to update this post! The quickest way to bump up the spice is to add extra ginger 🙂 But I will try to get this post properly updated soon!
Loved this ! But I made it without the coconut sugar so I can sweeten my drinks the way I want. So delicious! Thank you!
Thank you so much for stopping by to leave a review Suzi, I really appreciate it and I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Like many I’ve used the powdered Chai mix you can buy in the supermarket, but often feel cheated when I’m served the same in a cafe’ … I have also had some awesome chai’s in some independent e shops so googled to recreate at home… this is my first attempt and found it pretty good! I got a coffee grinder as a Christmas gift so popped the ingredients that I had I. The larder, minus the cardamom and allspice as I did t have any, I also mixed in some loose tea, after boiling up I poured into a tea pot with a build in strainer and frothed some extra milk using my Gaggia… I thought it was pretty good for a first attempt, I’ve added the items I didn’t have to my shopping list and will definitely spend some time refining this recipe! Thank you!
Hi Andrea, thank you so much for your kind words about the recipe! I think making it in a coffee grinder is a really good idea, as the mixture can be a tiny bit grainy but using a grinder would sort that out! It’s hard to match the commercial powdered chai at home. I hope you continue to enjoy this recipe 🙂
I found this a bit too spicy and grainy, even after blending it into a fine powder. If you like a spicy chai, this is the one! If not, perhaps consider only doing 2 tbsp of ginger.
What is 3/4 tsp? I tried halving the recipe, and I wonder if it was a little off. I guessed at 1/4 tsp for the clove and nutmeg but wasn’t sure if it tasted quite right.
Hi Oliver, I have a set of teaspoon measures that goes down to 1/4 teaspoon so when I make this, I use that teaspoon set to measure it all out! If I was going to halve the recipe I would have done 1/4 teaspoon as well and then added a little extra to taste. Personally I think the recipe it nice with a little more clove so I probably would have added more of that!
very partial to Chai and also Turmeric latte, cant have coconut sugar so used 3 tbs of stevia, added the turmeric and cacao, added hot almond milk and YUM, thanks
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review Sue, I appreciate it 🙂 And glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
Absolutely excellent, I added the turmeric, and stevia instead of coconut sugar – exactly what I was craving and not tooo sweet. Instead of cows milk I used Califa toasted coconut almond milk – perfection to me!
Aw Michele, thank you SO much for this really positive feedback! I’m so glad you liked it. You are right on, it’s a nice drink but not too overly sweet, which is what I like too 🙂
Lovely however I would recommend using less Ginger, this amount of ginger over powers the drink.
Thanks
Thanks for the feedback Holly! I might put a note in the recipe to adjust it 🙂
Followed to the letter. Hands down the nastiest chai latte I’ve ever had.
Hi Taylor, I’m sorry that you didn’t enjoy this and I am sure it was frustrating making it and not liking the result. Could you let me know what you didn’t like about it – was it the texture, was a particular taste too noticeable e.g. the cardamom or something? A few people have commented that the mixture is a bit grainy, which is hard to overcome at home unless you can grind the powder more finely. I know every recipe can’t be to everyone’s taste but if possible I’d like to know more about what you prefer so I can offer an alternative. Thanks!
Made this recipe today. Dissolved in hot water, whisked & added hot milk. Tasted lovely especially with the added turmeric (suggested at the beginning)
Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback Mihiaira, I really appreciate it. I need to make up a batch with turmeric in it for myself! 🙂
Totally easy to throw together, I substituted the coconut sugar with Natvia Stevia Eyrithrotal and added ground star anise that was also blitzed in the bullet. The taste was excellent but the texture of undissolved powder was evident. Will try more fat next time (dollop of full cream) may smooth out the feeling.
Hi Jody, thank you for your review! Star anise is an excellent addition 🙂 Yes, unfortunately the powdery texture with this homemade mixture is somewhat unavoidable – I wish I had a device at home for making the really fine powders that they can make commercially, but it’s not proved possible so far. I find that even the chai lattes from cafes usually have a bit of residue in them too.
Hi, tried the mix today but the mixture didnt mix well with the warm milk. I mixed the mixture with a bit of hot water and added the milk but the mixture remained at the bottom. Any tip.
REPLY
Hi Jacki, some sediment is normal – like a chai latte you get from the cafe there is always some grainy kind of stuff at the bottom of the cup, unless the cafe uses a syrup.
I put the mixture in a milk frother (we have a Nespresso machine at home so I use the frother from that) to help distribute it through the milk. Hope that helps 🙂
You always use a muslin cloth – or ordinary paper coffee filter – to filter the liquid at the end
Oops, “You can always….”
Oh a coffee filter is a great idea! Thanks 🙂
I have gotten into Chai Lattes recently. Your recipe sounds amazing. Looking forward to trying it. I’ve never heard of coconut sugar. If I can’t find it what would you suggest for a substitute?
Hi Anita, you could use any kind of sugar to substitute the coconut sugar e.g. raw, brown, rapadura sugar, etc. Coconut sugar has a slightly caramel-like, malty flavour so if you can use a rapadura sugar or something with a similar unrefined process and taste I think that would be best! 🙂
This mix sounds so good. I’m going to make a jar of it to keep in my pantry so I always have chai on hand!
Thanks Tina! It’s a nice feeling always having chai in the cupboard 🙂
Yay! I love DIY mixes! Thanks for sharing!
Me too! Thanks Carrie! 🙂
Hi, tried the mix today but the mixture didnt mix well with the warm milk. I mixed the mixture with a bit of hot water and added the milk but the mixture remained at the bottom. Any tip.
Made this recipe, but only did a half measure of all the spices, yes a bit grainy, but so far the most tastiest DIY chai I’ve tasted. Loved the ginger heat. I didn’t add sweetener, as I will do this when I make it up. Put 2 tsps in a cup with a small amount of hot water and sugar free maple syrup then added almond milk that had been heated in an expresso machine.
You are so right that its almost impossible to find a chai latte in a cafe that isn’t totally sickeningly sweet! I have a chai blend like this at home (that I purchase) and I use it in banana cocoa smoothies – it’s a family favourite!
Chai banana cocoa smoothies – um YUMMM! That sounds amazing, I haven’t tried it in a smoothie yet! Will definitely be giving that a go, thanks for the idea!
I love that this mix has more uses than chai tea! So fun!
Thanks Lindsey! Yes this is so super versatile, I love having a jar handy 🙂
so smart to put together your own mix…then you get to control the ingredients!
Exactly!! These pre-made chai powder mixes can contain some seriously rubbish ingredients and it’s so simple to make your own 🙂
Woo… I love Chai! My in-laws are of Indian origin, so I have learned boiling mixed whole spices the old fashioned way. Your Chia Latte Mix is so much more convenient and great as a gift. Then you had me again at those beautiful Chai dessert pots! So many great ideas in a single post. Stunning photos too! ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Yang! Oh wow, how lucky for you to have been able to learn to method of boiling whole spices to make chai – it’s so lovely made the authentic way. I feel a bit bad for cheating with my latte mix but it is super handy to keep around 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind words!
This is so special! That spice mix sounds amazing, but topped on those beautiful chai pots, OH. MY. GOODNESS!!! I want some!
Thanks so much Emily! I do love a chai latte but to be honest I’ve been having more fun putting the chai mix in just about everything else!
I don’t even know where to begin!! The dessert pots are SO pretty and appealing! Your photos are lovely. The recipe…I’m like you; I love a good chai, but they’re often too sweet. All your variations are so much fun, the dirty chai, the turmeric, the pancakes… What a wonderful post! Definitely wanna go make this!
Oh Megan, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy to have had a positive reaction to this post, as this chai mix is something I have personally found so nice to have in the kitchen. The dirty chai is my favourite at the moment (though I’m doing decaf!) 🙂 Thanks again! x
That mix would make a great gift and those desserts are beautiful!
Aw thanks Linda! This is my go-to homemade gift this year for anyone and everyone 🙂
Omg yum and so festive!!
Thank you Joni!
Yum, what a great idea! This will make a fabulous holiday gift.
🙂 Thank you so much Jean! Yes perfect for holiday gifting… one of those last minute things you don’t have to worry about too much!