Do you remember in the film series ‘Game of Thrones’ the common phrase ‘Winter is coming’ that indicates impending doom? I’m sorry if you’re not a film enthusiast but this happens to be one of my personal favorites. While winter isn’t coming, at least for now, Americans look up to summer. An iced dirty chai latte is a personal favorite and one which I would gladly recommend to all coffee lovers. Refresh your summer and spring with this perfect icy coffee drink.
Let’s get down to preparing a dirty iced chai latte.
What is a dirty iced chai latte?
A dirty iced chai latte is a coffee-based iced drink. It is composed of brewed tea, espresso, milk, and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and clove. However, in the simplest terms, an iced dirty chai latte is a chai latte with an espresso shot served over ice. It combines unique and amazing chai flavors with espresso. The iced dirty chai latte can be easily prepared at home and is vegan-friendly.
Pro tip
For Starbucks coffee lovers, you can easily make a dirty iced chai latte using premade chai concentrate, brewed espresso, and milk. Most people forget the best trait of a dirty iced chai latte is its convenience and easy preparation at home.
A Dirty Iced Chai Latte Recipe
Dirty Iced Chai Latte Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Measuring cup
- 1 French press
- Espresso machine
Ingredients
- Chai concentrate Usually made of chai spices and tea bags. As a rule of thumb, avoid using ground spices since they tend to settle at the bottom; resulting in overly strong concentrate. You'll need spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.
- 1 - 2 shots Espresso Based on extensive experience as a barista, freshly brewed espresso (1 - 2 shots) is the best for use. Alternatively, one can also use cold brew or regular brewed coffee
- Milk Feel free to use any type of milk but I highly recommend almond or oat milk.
- Sweeteners Again, go for your sweeter of choice. Personally, I go for brown sugar but you can try honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar or maple syrup.
- Topping If you're looking for a rich iced dirty chai latte, top it off with some cinnamon powder or even more spices.
Instructions
- Start by making the concentrate in a saucepan on medium heat. Add your spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger) to the pan and toast them for a few seconds before adding two cups of water and two chai tea bags. Bring the mixture to a boil.2. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.3. Remove from heat and strain the concentrate through a sieve into another pan or bowl, discarding any solids.4. Place the French press on your counter and add one to two shots of espresso and two tablespoons of sweetener into it. Bring the concentrate back to medium-low heat and let it steep for another 10 minutes.5. When done, pour the brewed espresso over the concentrate in the French press and stir with a spoon to combine.6. Pour the milk of your choice into a separate saucepan on medium heat until it is steaming hot.7. Slowly pour the milk into the French press and stir everything together until combined.8. Place some ice cubes in a large cup and strain the dirty iced chai latte over the ice.9. Top with your favorite toppings, such as more spices or cinnamon powder, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutritional Value
A dirty iced chai latte is a great way to wake up in the morning. It contains antioxidants from the spices, calcium from the milk, and caffeine from the espresso. This iced drink is also vegan-friendly as you can use any type of milk for your recipe. It contains 20 calories, 1 gram of fat, 3 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein per serving.Why is a Dirty Chai Latte Perfect?
An iced dirty chai latte is perfect for any time of the year. The combination of strong espresso, creamy milk, and chai spices creates a unique flavor that can be enjoyed hot or cold. It is comforting and energizing at the same time, making it perfect for summer days when you need that extra boost of energy.
Good luck!
An iced dirty chai latte is a perfect way to refresh your summer and spring. Making an iced dirty chai latte at home is not only cost-effective but also easy. Follow the recipe above and enjoy this delicious iced drink today!
Also read about Dirty Chai Latte: A Perfect Recipe
FAQs
Can I make a dirty chai latte without coffee?
Yes, you can. To make an iced dirty chai latte without coffee, skip the espresso step and use more concentrated chai tea instead. Consider adding an additional sweetener for balance.
Can I make an iced dirty chai latte with brewed coffee?
Yes. Instead of using espresso, simply use freshly brewed coffee or cold brew and proceed with the recipe as usual. You may want to adjust the sweetness according to your preference.
Can I use store-bought chai concentrate?
Yes, definitely! Tazo is a great option.
Can I make a single serving without the concentrate?
You can just brew two bags of chai tea bags in ½ cup of water to make a quick single serving of the concentrate if needed.
Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso?
Yes, you can! You might have to add a little more to get the same caffeine kick because espresso is a little more concentrated. Regular brewed coffee or cold brew are both great options.
Dirty Iced Chai Latte Recipe
Summary
The perfect recipe you need for making Dirty Iced Chai Latte