Recipe Description:

Indulge in a refreshing Iced Vanilla Chai Latte, a perfect blend of spiced chai concentrate and creamy milk, served over ice. This delightful drink is ideal for warm days and can be customized with your favorite non-dairy milk and sweeteners.

Full Ingredients:

– 2 cups water
– 2 tablespoons loose black tea or 2 black tea bags
– 2 tablespoons chai spice blend (or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper)
– 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
– 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy, such as almond, oat, or soy)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Ice cubes
– Optional: whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for garnish

Full Instructions:

**Preparing the Chai Concentrate:**
1. Start by boiling the water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium-low.
2. Add the loose black tea or tea bags to the boiling water. If you’re using loose tea, consider using a tea infuser for easy removal later.
3. Stir in the chai spice blend. If you’re making your own blend, mix the ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper together before adding them to the pot.
4. Let the mixture simmer for about 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. For a stronger chai flavor, steep for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. After steeping, remove the saucepan from the heat. If you used loose tea, strain the mixture into a heatproof container to remove the tea leaves. If you used tea bags, simply remove them.
6. Stir in the sugar while the chai is still warm, ensuring it dissolves completely. Taste the concentrate and adjust the sweetness if needed.
7. Allow the chai concentrate to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

**Preparing the Milk Mixture:**
1. In a separate bowl or measuring cup, combine the chilled milk and vanilla extract. If you’re using a non-dairy milk, choose one that complements the chai flavor, like almond or oat milk.
2. Whisk the milk and vanilla together until well combined. For a frothy texture, use a milk frother or shake it in a sealed jar for a minute or two.

**Assembling the Iced Vanilla Chai Latte:**
1. Take a tall glass and fill it with ice cubes. You can use crushed ice for a slushy texture or larger cubes for a slower dilution.
2. Pour about 1/2 cup of the chilled chai concentrate over the ice. Adjust this amount based on how strong you want your latte to be.
3. Next, pour the milk mixture over the chai concentrate. You can do this gently to create a layered effect or mix it together for a uniform color.
4. Give the drink a gentle stir to combine the chai and milk, but be careful not to disturb the layers too much if you want that beautiful gradient effect.
5. If you’re feeling indulgent, top your iced vanilla chai latte with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for that extra touch of sweetness and flavor.

Notes:

– For a fun twist, experiment with flavored syrups, such as caramel or hazelnut, to add a unique flavor to your latte.
– Pair your iced vanilla chai latte with a light snack, like a scone or a piece of fruit, for a delightful treat.

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

10 minutes

Total Time:

20 minutes (plus chilling time)

Yield:

2 servings