How to Make a Hot Chai Latte

Warm, fragrant, and topped with a light layer of foam, a chai latte combines brewed tea with milk and aromatic spices for a comforting drink that’s easy to make at home. With a Vitamix blender and Aer® Disc container, you can create a smooth, foamy Hot Chai Latte using just a few simple ingredients.

Before You Start

This recipe starts with brewed chai tea and warm milk, so prepare both before you begin blending. The milk should be heated to about 160°F (70°C), or until it reaches a slow simmer.

Because the Aer® Disc container is designed to agitate ingredients without puréeing them, just 15 seconds of blending is enough to incorporate the tea and milk while creating a light foam.

Ingredients

Step 1: Brew the Chai Tea

Prepare 1 cup of chai tea according to the directions for the tea you’re using.

Chai blends typically combine black tea with warming spices, so the strength of your brewed tea will have a noticeable effect on the finished latte. If you prefer a more pronounced tea and spice flavor, brew your chai a little stronger before adding the milk rather than trying to compensate with additional cinnamon later.

Step 2: Warm the Milk

Pour the milk into the container, then start the blender on its lowest speed and increase to its highest speed and blend for 6 minutes.

Alternatively, you can warm the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop. If using the stovetop, heat it gently until it reaches a slow simmer. Avoid bringing the milk to a hard boil.

Starting with properly heated milk means the latte will be ready to serve as soon as blending is complete.

Step 3: Add the Ingredients

Add the brewed chai tea and ground cinnamon into the Aer® Disc container.

If you prefer a sweeter chai latte, add your choice of sweetener at this stage. Starting with a small amount makes it easier to adjust the sweetness without masking the flavor of the tea and spices.

Secure the lid before blending.

Step 4: Blend Until Foamy

Run the Cold Foam Program. If your Vitamix blender does not have that program, start the blender on its lowest speed and increase to Variable 6.

Blend for 15 seconds.

The Aer® Disc will combine the tea and milk while incorporating air to create a light, foamy texture. Since the ingredients are already warm, there’s no need for an extended blending time.

Step 5: Pour and Serve

Pour the chai latte immediately into coffee mugs, distributing the foam across the top as you pour.

Finish with an additional light sprinkle of cinnamon if desired and serve while warm.

Ways to Customize Your Chai Latte

Adjust the sweetness

The recipe can be made with or without added sweetener. Try honey, maple syrup, or your preferred sweetener, adding a small amount before blending and adjusting to taste.

Make the chai flavor stronger

For a more tea-forward latte, brew the chai a little stronger before blending. This increases the concentration of tea and spices without adding more liquid to the finished drink.

Experiment with spices

Chai already contains a blend of warming spices, but you can emphasize the flavors you enjoy most. Try a small pinch of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, or nutmeg. Add spices sparingly so they complement rather than overwhelm the brewed tea.

Change the tea

Different chai blends can produce noticeably different results. Some emphasize cinnamon and cloves, while others lean more heavily toward ginger, cardamom, or black tea. Experiment with different blends to find the balance you prefer.

The result is a simple way to turn brewed chai and warm milk into a café-style drink at home, with the Aer® Disc creating the light foam that gives the latte its finished texture.