Masala chai, some additional caffeine, and foamy latte in one drink? Sounds pretty good to me! Dirty chai latte has become a trendy drink, and that is for a good reason. The spicy drink unites the strong suits of a caffe latte and masala chai into one flavourful hot beverage. It’s smooth, spicy, energising, warming, and much more. A nice, relaxing drink on a Sunday or for the perfect start to the day, dirty chai has got you covered. And let’s not forget about the main thing: It’s freaking delicious. Let’s try this dirty chai latte recipe!
What is Dirty Chai?
Dirty chai is a hot beverage combining caffe latte and masala chai. A flavourful masala chai (translates to mixed-spice tea) is given extra fuel by a shot of espresso. Classic masala flavours such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, and cardamom blend nicely with the coffee flavour. Some foamed plant-based milk smoothens the drink and brings everything together.
Just as with regular masala chai, the drink can taste vastly different depending on what masala spice mix is being used.
Ingredients for making Dirty Chai Latte:
- Espresso
- Black tea
- Cane sugar
- Oat milk
- Cloves
- Black peppercorns
- Star anise
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Fresh ginger
Just like with regular masala chai, there is no right or wrong with the spices. I like the combination and ratios of spices listed here, which will taste rather heavy on cinnamon and star anise. But don’t worry if you are missing some of them. You can, of course, customise this mix to your liking! Cardamom makes a nice addition as well.
Most of the chai lattes served in cafes are made store-bought with chai syrup. While this is a convenient approach to making masala chai, I like to make my own masala. It tastes much more tuned to my liking. But if you want to make the easiest dirty chai possible, these syrups will be the way to go.
You can choose from different kinds of black tea. I like to use Darjeeling tea, but Assam tea tastes fantastic too. You can try other sorts of black tea as well.
Lastly, there is the choice of plant-based milk. I find that oat milk complements the taste of the dirty chai best. Also, I like to use a barista version to get a delicious milk foam. But you can use any plant-based milk alternative that you like.
Your espresso will influence the taste of your diary chai latte as well, of course.
Dirty Chai Latte Recipe:
Firstly, I like to get my masala infusion going. For that, I will follow the steps of my masala chai recipe: Toast the spices, crush them with pestle-and-mortar, and simmer them. I toasted all spices except the nutmeg and fresh ginger. Afterwards, I lightly crushed them and infused them in half a litre of water for 10 minutes before adding the tea.
After adding the tea, I let the masala chai simmer for another 10 minutes. Now, it’s time to add the sugar as well. I like a strong masala chai with bold flavours. I am adding no milk just yet: I do this last right into the cup.
Strain out the spices, and pour the masala chai into your cup until it fills about ⅓. Pour a shot of espresso right into the masala chai.
Lastly, foam up some barista-style plant-based milk of your choice. Pour the milk foam into your cup until nicely filled. If you are a more skilled barista than I am, you can try making a beautiful pattern as a garnish.
Lastly, a little sprinkle of cinnamon powder on the foam rounds everything off. I hope you enjoyed this vegan dirty chai latte recipe. Let me know what you think, and enjoy!
Other Serving Options:
Dirty chai latte can be a delicious cold refresher in summer as well. Just as when making iced coffee, some ice cubes can transform the drink into a fantastic refresher. I like to make a slightly more concentrated and sweet masala mix when making the iced coffee version, as the ice will dilute the dirty chai latte slightly, and milden the flavours.
Some more recipe recommendations:
- These delicious french toasts are a perfect Sunday treat.
- Classic masala chai is delicious, too!
- Learn how to make Kombucha!
- Looking for something more refreshing? Try this delicious espresso soda!
- Hot spiced apple juice is perfect for a cosy winter day.
- German Schmalzgebäck is a classic treat in the Christmas season.
- Espresso tonic is a great summer day refresher.
- German baked apples are a easy but tasty dessert!
- Have some delicious vegan chocolate cookies to snack on.
Dirty Chai Latte Recipe
Dirty chai latte combines caffe latte and masala chai into one delicious hot beverage. It’s smooth, spicy, energising, warming!
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
2 shots espresso
1 tbsp loose black tea
2 tbsp cane sugar
500ml oat milk
6 cloves
10 black peppercorns
3-star anis
1 pinch of grated nutmeg
2 cinnamon sticks
A few slices of fresh ginger
Instructions
Firstly, toast the spices to enhance their flavour. In a pot, add all spices except the nutmeg and fresh ginger. Toast the spices dry for 3-5 minutes. Afterwards, lightly crushed them using a pestle and mortar. The finer you crush the individual spices, the stronger their flavour when you infuse them.
Next, simmer the spices with ginger and nutmeg in half a litre of water for 10 minutes before adding the tea. Add the tea, and let the masala chai simmer for another 10 minutes. Add the sugar as well. I like a strong masala chai with bold flavours. I am adding no milk just yet: I do this last right into the cup.
Strain out the spices, and pour the masala chai into your cup until it fills about ⅓. Pour a shot of espresso right into the masala chai. Lastly, foam up some barista-style plant-based milk of your choice. I like to go with oat or soy milk. Pour the milk foam into your cup. Lastly, a little sprinkle of cinnamon powder on the foam rounds everything off.
Notes
I like to use oat milk, but feel free to use any other plant-based milk you like.
Just like with regular masala chai, feel free to adjust the spice combinations and ratios to your liking!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Hot beverage
- Diet: Vegan