Dirty chai lattes are a delicious twist on the traditional chai latte. It combines the perfect mixture of masala spices, strong black tea, and sweet milk for an unforgettable flavor experience. If you’re looking to make a dirty chai latte at home, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
Whenever you feel like going a little overboard driven by a desire for a perfect coffee bitterness balanced with a creamy sweetness, the dirty chai latte is your answer. Made with spices, milk, and everything nice and exquisite, this drink allows you to join a legion of celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey known to occasionally indulge in this sumptuous drink.
What is a dirty chai latte?
A dirty chai latte is a combination of the traditional Indian masala chai and espresso. Blending these two ingredients creates a unique flavor profile that’s hard to beat.
How to froth milk for a dirty chai latte
Frothing milk is an essential part of making dirty chai lattes. This process determines the success or failure of your dirty chai latte.
Pro Tip
Either use 2% milk or whole milk in this process since it results in a richer latte. Don’t use skim milk because it doesn’t foam enough.
To start frothing milk, you’ll need to heat the milk either in a pot on the stove or in the microwave until it’s steaming hot. Then, use a frother (or whisk) to create foam. This can take several minutes, but it is well worth the effort! Heat the temperature up to 150 degrees (scalding) for the right foam. Ensure the milk gets to this temperature. Finally, pour the frothed milk into your dirty chai latte and enjoy.
Making Chai Masala
Originating from the Hindi language, chai means tea. Therefore, when one talks about preparing chai, it translates to making tea. However, authentic Indian tea is widely known as chai masala (a combination of spices). Unfortunately, cultural appropriation and Westernization erode some of these practices thus diluting the true value of masala. If you wish to prepare a good chai masala, follow these steps.
Start by preparing the masala chai. You’ll need 1-2 teaspoons of freshly ground cardamom, 2 cloves, 3 green cardamoms, a small piece of cinnamon stick, and one black tea bag for every cup of water you plan to use. Heat two cups of water in a pan on medium heat until it comes to a boil. Then add the spices and tea bag, reduce the heat, and simmer for five minutes. Strain out the spices and tea leaves, sweetened with sugar or honey if desired, and set aside.
Making your dirty chai latte: A Recipe
To make the perfect dirty chai latte, you will need:
Dirty Chai Latte: Recipe
Equipment
- 1 A stovetop pot or saucepan
- 1 A spoon or whisk
- 1 A coffee machine or espresso maker (Optional)
Ingredients
- 1 Shoot espresso or 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds
- ½ tbsp ground cardamom
- ½ tbsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp honey or sugar
- 2 Cup milk
Instructions
- Mix the spices and coffee in a mug with a spoon. If you are adding sweetener, do this at this point.2. Heat the milk in a small pot on medium heat until it is steaming, but not boiling. 3. Pour the hot milk into the mug and stir with a spoon to mix everything together. 4. Enjoy your dirty chai latte! This recipe yields 1 dirty chai latte. Doubling or tripling the recipe is a great way to make dirty chai lattes for you and your friends. And if you like, you can also try various types of milk for different flavors – almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk are all popular choices!
Video
Notes
Nutritional Value
A dirty chai latte made with 2% milk has approximately 200 calories. dirty chai lattes made with whole milk have about 300 calories. dirty chai lattes made with skim milk have about 120 calories. dirty chai lattes made with non-dairy milk (such as almond or soy milk) have no cholesterol but may have higher calorie content than those made with dairy milk.How to Store Dirty Chai Latte
Since dirty chai lattes are made with dairy, it is important to store any leftover dirty chai latte in the refrigerator. To best preserve, its flavor and texture, make sure to keep it tightly sealed in an airtight container. It should be consumed within two days of making.
Pro Tip
When the milk levels used in the dirty chai latte go above the recommended levels, it’s best to consume it within a day or two before it ferments.
Now that you know how to make dirty chai lattes, go ahead and give this recipe a try! Enjoy the perfect blend of strong espresso, sweet spices, and creamy milk for an indulgent treat that’s sure to hit the spot.
Vegan Variation of Dirty Chai Latte
If you prefer a vegan dirty chai latte, it is just as easy to make. All you need to do is replace the cow’s milk with your favorite plant-based milk such as almond or oat milk. Heat up and froth the plant-based milk in the same way you would regular cow’s milk. Also, be sure to check the label of your chai tea mix for any animal-based ingredients. Oat milk is the best option for this type of dirty chai latte. Most probably, the foam won’t be as thick as dairy milk, but it still works out well.
Also read about Dirty Iced Chai Latte: A Perfect Recipe
FAQs
Why is Dirty Chai Latte called dirty?
The term dirty chai refers to a latte that combines both the espresso shot and tea. The ‘dirty’ part of it comes from the fact that the two are mixed together, hence the name dirty chai latte.
What is the difference between a dirty chai latte and a chai latte?
The main difference between a dirty chai latte and a chai latte is that dirty chai lattes contain a shot of espresso, while regular chai lattes don’t. This gives dirty chai a stronger flavor with added caffeine.
Is a dirty chai latte good and healthy for you?
The dirty chai latte is a good, healthy choice for those who are looking for a special treat. Made with simple ingredients and low in calories and sugar, it has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest coffee lover. Additionally, dirty chai contain antioxidants from the spices which can help boost your immunity and help fight off free radicals.
Dirty Chai Latte: A Perfect Recipe
How to Make Dirty Chai Latte
Make a Perfect Dirty Chai Latte with our Simple step-by-step recipe