bits + bites

Homemade Dirty Chai Latte (Iced or Hot!)

Katie Kelly

No more going to coffee shops for a dirty chai latte! This is one of my favorite weekend treats and I'm sharing how you can make it for yourself, including a homemade chai concentrate.

What is dirty chai latte?

A dirty chai latte also referred to as a red eye chai, is a chai latte with a shot of espresso for an extra kick of caffeine. If you want a filthy chai latte that means you want a double shot of espresso. You can drink it hot or order it as an iced dirty chai latte. I really like either option.

Ingredients

– 2 oz chai syrup – 2 oz espresso or strong coffee – ½ cup milk of choice

How to make a dirty chai latte.

1. Use a milk frother, immersion blender, or french press to froth your milk. 2. In your coffee mug, add 2 oz. of chai concentrate and 2 oz. espresso. 3. Top with your frothed milk. 4. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top and enjoy!

Tips for making the perfect drink.

Sweetness. Now, if you like your coffee a bit sweeter, you can add a sweetening agent to your milk. Maple syrup, cane sugar or honey are great options. Plant-Based Milk. If you want to make this a vegan latte, use your favorite plant-based milk. Decaf Option. Don't want caffeine? You can make the chai simple syrup with decaf tea and opt for decaf shots of espresso. Make your own traditional Masala Chai. If you're really feeling up for the challenge, make your own cup of homemade Masala Chai and add a shot of espresso. For any tea enthusiasts out there, this is for you!

FAQ

Why is dirty chai called dirty? A dirty chai latte is called "dirty" because the addition of espresso "dirties" the color of the traditional chai tea latte. How do you order a dirty chai latte? If you find yourself at your local coffee shop or Starbucks, you can simply order a dirty chai latte! If they're unsure, ask for your desired size of chai latte with an extra shot of espresso. What’s the caffeine content in a dirty chai latte? In this recipe, there are about 130 mg of caffeine. 2 oz. of espresso + 2 oz. of chai concentrate is roughly that much caffeine.

dirty chai latte (hot or iced!)