Matcha Chai Latte

This dairy-free, creamy matcha chai latte tastes like an expensive specialty tea drink, but it’s made in the comfort of your own home! It’s infused with spicy, sweet, and earthy flavors thanks to the combination of black tea concentrate and matcha. Enjoy it hot or on the rocks!

What is chai?

Chai is a general term for ‘tea’ in the Hindi language, so it can actually refer to a variety of teas. The most popular and well-known version is masala chai, but you can also find options like adrak (ginger) chai, cardamom chai, and Bombay chai, to name a few.

I use my go-to chai concentrate for this recipe, which is made from black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and star anise. To save time, you can also purchase store-bough black tea concentrate - I recommend Trader Joe's Cold Brew Black Tea Concentrate for good flavor and it's loaded with sweeteners!

What is matcha?

What chai is to India, matcha is to Japan. It is integral to the Japanese tea ceremony and has been consumed in the country since the 12th century. It is made by steaming and drying green tea leaves, then grinding them until a fine powder is achieved.

You can purchase different matcha grades, including culinary and ceremonial. Culinary-grade matcha is generally reserved for cooking and baking purposes. Just as it sounds, ceremonial-grade matcha is well-suited for special occasions and drinks due to its superior flavor. To learn more about good vs bad quality matcha, check out Mindfully Healthy Living by Natalie Perry.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Black Tea Concentrate: Made from black tea infused with warming, spicy, and aromatic chai spices. I usually make a big batch of my homemade chai concentrate to have on hand for recipes like this. If you don’t have any, try a store bought cold brew black tea concentrate.
• Matcha powder: If possible, use ceremonial-grade matcha for sweet, nutty, and slightly bitter notes. It provides the most ideal flavor, but just opt for the highest quality matcha you can find and afford.
• Soy milk: For lattes, I always recommend unfortified soy milk. It’s rich, creamy, and full-bodied. If you don’t have soy milk, the next best options is oat milk barista.
• Sweetener: Any clean ingredient, simple syrup pairs incredibly well with matcha. For a more neutral sweetness, use brown sugar syrup, agave, plain simple syrup, cane sugar, maple syrup, or coconut nectar.

Instructions

• Step 1: Whisk together the matcha and soy milk until well combined. If you have a bamboo matcha whisk, it really comes in handy for this step to remove any clumps! A hand held frother can also do the job.

• Step 2: Add a handful of ice to your serving glass, then pour the chai concentrate, vanilla extract and syrup over the ice.

• Step 3: Next pour in the soy milk. For a light and airy consistency, use an electric frother or hand-held frother to froth the milk before pouring over the chai concentrate.

• Step 4: Lastly, top it off with the whisked matcha blend and sprinkle over some matcha powder. Stir before taking a sip.

How to make a hot matcha chai latte

To serve your matcha chai latte hot, simply whisk together the matcha powder and warm soy milk. Combine the chai concentrate, vanilla extract, and sweetener in a heat-safe mug or glass. Pour over steamed soy milk and top it off with the whisked matcha blend. Stir until combined.

You can try adding vegan whipped cream to the top, but it’s honestly quite decadent with just matcha and steamed oat milk!

What to serve with a matcha chai latte

Whether you prefer to serve your matcha chai latte hot or cold, it pairs incredibly well alongside sweet treats like these:

• Biscuits and cake rusk
• Vegan white chocolate
• Donuts filled with vegan custard
• Mochi
• Sweet steamed buns
• Chocolate chip cookies
• A slice of cake or pie

Storage

Drink your matcha chai latte immediately for the best flavor and consistency, especially if you’ve frothed the milk. If you end up having leftovers, follow these tips: 

• Fridge: Once the latte has cooled down (if it’s hot), transfer the mixture to a glass container (like a mason jar) with an airtight lid. If stored this way, it will last for up to 3-4 days. If your latte is cold, strain the ice cubes and follow the same steps.
• Freezer: Freeze ice cubes from your leftover matcha chai latte, then use them to chill your next batch.
• Reheat: Warm the mixture on the stovetop over low-medium heat until it reaches your desired temperature. Don’t forget to keep stirring it!
• Make ahead: You can make the chai concentrate or simple syrups ahead of time. Just keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to make your next matcha chai latte. 

Variations

• Traditional matcha: Omit the chai concentrate for a more traditional matcha latte.
• Vanilla: For a touch of creamy sweetness, add some pure vanilla extract to the chai and matcha mixture.
• Different milk: If you’re not a fan of soy milk, don’t worry! You can experiment with other varieties like oat milk, pea milk, or cashew milk.

Top tips

• High-quality match powder: Purchase the best matcha powder you can afford for this recipe. Matcha is slightly bitter, but the flavor is much more balanced and subtle when the quality is good. Start with a small amount and add to it if you prefer more.
• Sift: Sift the matcha into the bowl before whisking it. This removes any large clumps, and it helps create the smoothest matcha.
• Whisk: Another way to avoid a clumpy matcha latte is to use a bamboo whisk. 
• Froth: Froth the milk with a hand frother for a creamy, light, and airy consistency.
• Soy milk: My go-to soy milks are Trader Joe’s Soy Beverage and West Life Organic; both steam well, froth beautifully, and create a silky texture that complements matcha’s natural depth instead of masking it.
  

FAQ

Similar Recipes

If you enjoyed this matcha chai latte recipe, take a peek at some more homemade specialty tea drinks like these:

• Oat milk chai latte: A creamy latte with chai spices and frothed oat milk. 
• Jasmine milk tea: Flavorful jasmine green tea mixed with plant milk and boba.
• Chai hot chocolate: Warming spices paired with creamy hot chocolate.
• Masala chai: A traditional combination of chai spice, black tea, and creamy plant milk.
• Lavender iced coffee: Bold coffee flavors infused with floral notes.