Matcha Chai Latte (Hot or Iced)

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Goodbye pumpkin spiced latte. Hello matcha chai latte. This comforting beverage offers up both health benefits and extreme flavour. That's all thanks to the anti-oxidant rich matcha green tea and the homemade chai spice blend. So, sip it up.

Overhead shot of matcha chai latte in a white mug with cinnamon sprinkled on top.

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Why should you try this recipe?
Ingredients
Recipe Variations
Instructions
Equipment
FAQs
How To Serve
Similar Recipes
Matcha Chai Latte

Why should you try this recipe?

Here's why you'll love this chai matcha latte:

It's easy to make. With only 10 minutes of prep time and a handful of basic spices, you'll be able to make a coffee-shop quality latte from the comfort of your kitchen.
Matcha is good for your health. Not only is it rich in antioxidants, but studies have linked matcha green tea to a variety of health benefits including protecting the liver, boosting brain function, preventing cancer and promoting heart health.
It's a delicious, warming drink. This latte combines earthy notes from the matcha with spicy flavours from the chai. And, surprisingly, they taste amazing together. I mean, there's a reason that the Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte is Tik Tok famous.

Scroll down to see the printable recipe with nutritional information.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for a cup of matcha with chai:

Almond milk: You can make this latte with unsweetened almond milk or any other dairy or non-dairy milk. Coconut milk and oat milk are good alternatives.
Matcha powder: This green tea variety has a slightly bitter, earthy taste. It also provides a ton of health benefits (scroll up if you're learning more about these). That said, not all matcha powder is created equal. So, make sure you're buying a high quality product. Here's a good guide to help you decide what matcha is right for you.
Cinnamon, ground ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg and ground cloves: These flavours are used to create a DIY chai spice blend that will add both sweet and spicy notes to your chai matcha latte.
Honey: For extra sweetness, drizzle in honey to taste. If you're not a fan of honey, you can swap in maple syrup, stevia or any other natural sweetener. Check out my post on 7 healthy honey substitutes for ideas.

Scroll down to find the printable recipe with ingredient measurements.

Recipe Variations

Enjoy this beverage on ice: While it's comforting to drink hot, it's also delicious to drink cooled. Make this a copycat Starbucks chai tea latte by adding ice at the end of the recipe.
Use a tea bag instead of spices: If you don't have the necessary spices to make a DIY chai blend, or you simply want to save time, you can use a store bought chai tea bag instead. Once the water has boiled, place the tea bag in and steep for 5-10 minutes. Then remove the tea bag and carry on.
Make it extra creamy: If you want a thicker matcha chai latte, use coconut milk instead of almond milk. You can use light coconut milk, or full-fat coconut milk for an extra rich treat.

Instructions

Let’s break it down step by step to take any guesswork out of this matcha chai latte.

Bamboo whisk in small green bowl with matcha powder.

Combine water, cinnamon, ground ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg and ground cloves in a small saucepan. Use high heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
While the water is boiling, add 1 teaspoon of matcha powder to a small bowl.

Matcha whisk on a rustic plate. A bowl of matcha in water sitting beside it.

Pour ¼ cup of the boiled water on top of the matcha powder. Then use a bamboo whisk to whisk briskly in an M shaped motion for 30 -60 seconds or until frothy on top.
Once frother, pour the remaining boiled water on top.

A cup of matcha green tea in a white mug. A bamboo whisk in a green bowl sits next to it.

Transfer the mixture to a mug through a fine mesh strainer or fine mesh tea strainer. This will remove any large chunks of spices.
Warm almond milk in a milk frother. If you don't have a frother, warm on stovetop or in the microwave.

A matcha chai latte in a white mug is on a wooden board. A matcha whisk in a green bowl sits next to it.

Pour almond milk into mug.
Top with cinnamon or honey to taste (optional).

Recipe Notes

If you don't have a bamboo whisk, shake instead. Shake mixture in a mason jar or bottle. Do not use a metal whisk as it can change the flavour of the matcha.
Water temperature matters. The ideal water temperature for matcha is 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower water temperatures will results in softer, mellower flavour. Higher temperatures will results in a more bitter flavour. So, remove the saucepan from the stovetop just before it reaches a rolling boil.
Grind your own spices for the most potent flavour. This recipe calls for ground spices, but you can also use whole spices and grind them using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. This will result in stronger chai flavours.
Boil water with spices. It's important to add the spices before the water is boiling. That's because hot water helps the flavour of spices develop.
Skip the sweetener for a more traditional taste. Chai teas is not traditionally sweetened, as it can mask the flavour of the spices. But, if you prefer a sweeter drink, then you can top with honey or another sweetener.

How To Store

Fridge: Store in an airtight mug in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Reheat: Warm in a saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave for 30 - 60 seconds.

For the full ingredient list and step-by-step directions, scroll down to view the recipe card.

Equipment

Here's what you need to make this recipe.

A bamboo whisk: To properly prepare matcha at home, you need a traditional matcha whisk. If you don't have a bamboo whisk, shake in a jar instead. Do not use a metal whisk as it can change the flavour of the matcha.
A fine mesh strainer: If you have a fine mesh tea strainer, use it. If you don't, you can use the full-sized version. This is a must in this recipe so you don't end up sipping on chunks of spices.
A small sauce pan: This is needed to heat the water and almond milk.
Milk frother: Not a must. But, this will take the recipe to the next level, giving you that much desired latte foam. There are two I recommend. If you have the budget, go for the Nespresso milk frother (it's amazing!). If you're looking for something more affordable, the Zulay milk frother is a great option as well.

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this matcha with chai.

Are chai and matcha good together?

Yes. While the flavours are quite different, they compliment each other well. The chai gives the matcha green tea a sweet and spicy kick.

Is matcha healthier than coffee?

Both options are low in calories. However, coffee contains more caffeine than matcha. While both can help you stay awake and alert, matcha provides a less jittery pick-me-up. This is because matcha has a high concentration of flavonoids and L-theanine.
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Fun fact: L-theanine is often known as nature's xanax. It produces relaxing effects by raising serotonin, GABA, and dopamine levels.

For more differences between the two hot drinks, check out the graphic below.

How To Serve

Now that you have a creamy matcha chai latte, it’s time to enjoy it. I suggest pairing it with a healthy cookie for maximum enjoyment. Check out some of my favourite recipes below.

Similar Recipes

Still thirsty? If you enjoyed this chai matcha latte recipe, I invite you to check out my collection of other healthy drinks or check out some of my other recipes that I hand selected for you below.

If you make this matcha chai latte, please consider leaving a star rating and a comment. Don't forget to tag @caiteyjay on Instagram or @caiteyjay on Pinterest so I can see your creations.