Almond Milk Chai Latte

This grab-and-go almond milk latte is SO simple and is made up of ingredients from your spice drawer - cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom.

Almond Milk Chai Latte / @loveandlemons

For years, I had a very routine “breakfast” that I would pick up on my way to work: a double tall soy latte at 110 degrees. (I know, I was one of those coffee-orderers). These days, I’ve swapped my beverage breakfast for a real one, my expensive coffee for tea, and my soy milk for almond milk.

Although I now work from home, I still love to get a quick start in the morning. Which is why I’m so excited about this recipe – this latte is SO simple and is made up of ingredients from my spice drawer which makes me wonder how I ever got into the $5-a-day coffee habit to begin with.

Almond Milk Chai Latte / @loveandlemons

If you’ve read this blog for long, you know that Almond Breeze is my go-to almond milk. (We’ve been drinking it for years, long before we were taking pictures of it). This year we’re partnering with them on a series of “Grab & Go” posts. I know so many of you are always looking for recipes to take to work so each month we’re going to feature a simple no-fuss recipe for those of you on the, well, go.

Almond Milk Chai Latte / @loveandlemons

Obviously, you could just buy chai tea in a package, but I think there’s a special flavor that comes from using the whole spices. Plus, this way you can customize your beverage to use your favorites. I used a mix of cinnamon, star anise, cardamom and a knob of fresh ginger. (All spices that are somewhat large because I didn’t want to have to strain it). Let it steep with a plain black tea packet, steaming hot almond milk and there you have it – a simple yet sort of fancy desk drink.

Almond Milk Chai Latte / @loveandlemons

4.6 from 8 reviews

Almond Milk Chai Latte

 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: beverage
Serves: 1 large latte
Ingredients
  • 1 black tea bag
  • 2 whole star anise pods
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 dried cardamom pods
  • 11oz. container of Orignal Almond Breeze
  • optional: ½ inch knob of fresh ginger
  • optional: sweetener (maple, honey, stevia, etc) to taste
Instructions
  1. Place 1 black tea bag and a few whole spices into a mug.
  2. In a separate mug, heat the almond milk in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Pour steaming almond milk into spiced-tea mug and steep for 5 minutes.
  3. Remove the tea bag and let the spices steep for 5 more minutes. (The longer they steep, the more flavorful your drink will be). Taste and add sweetener if you like. Scoop out the spices (or just drink around them).
Notes
note: whole peppercorns are a nice addition, if you’re steeping and straining your tea. If you don’t want to strain anything, skip em.

another note: skip the honey if you are vegan

almondbreeze

39 comments

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. This recipe makes me smile. Star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and almonds are all my favorite ingredients!! And the way your photographed the ingredients is so elegant. Love your style =)

    Juju Sprinkles
    http://www.jujusprinkles.com

  2. I’m currently trying to make the switch from coffee in the morning to tea only – this definitely sounds like a good way to do it, plus, I love that it is dairy-free! As always, beautiful, beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing!

  3. I love the little boxes of Almond Breeze! I like to keep them at the office so I can make my own chai tea latte in the afternoon 🙂 I can’t wait to try this one!

  4. You’re photo’s are really gorgeous. I love looking at them. The whole feel is clean and elegant.

  5. Kelsey M from wwwalittlerosemaryandtime.com
    03.25.2015

    Yum- I LOVE chai lattes but can’t stand tea-bag style ones- no flavor! Whenever I want some I always need to go out to get it. Thanks for sharing this simple, straightforward recipe!

    -Kelsey

  6. This looks wonderful! I’ve yet to make a chai latte with almond milk, and can’t wait to try your version! 🙂

  7. I make this on cold winter mornings, though my cup never looks as beautiful as yours! Sometimes I add a few cloves in for some extra spice, but I’ve never tried peppercorn. Definitely will give that a go!Thank you! Have a great day!

  8. Wow! This is so simple! Chai tea lattes are my go to order at any café. But if I can make these at home and use my almond milk, that makes life so much easier 🙂

    I’m guessing coconut milk would be ok to use too?

    Leslie
    http://www.alifewellconsumed.com

  9. Emma from emmatimmerman.blogspot.nl
    03.25.2015

    Sounds great!

  10. I have a suggestion. You can dry roast the spices for some 30 seconds to 1 minute without making them black and then grind them to a fine powder. You can use only 1/2 – 1 tsp of that powder for one cup of tea. It will give a more strong flavor and you will also use less of your spices. It is very popular in India and we call it Masala Chai i.e. Spiced tea. 🙂

  11. PL
    03.25.2015

    Yum! I have always wanted to make this, and now I have the recipe! Thank you. I have guests coming over from the UK- I think they will enjoy it as their morning cuppa.

    • jeanine
      03.25.2015

      Hi Sonja, thanks! (& welcome!). See reply above…

  12. Magen
    03.25.2015

    Are you able to store the used spices and reuse them? If so, how do you store them and for how long? Love this idea!

    • jeanine
      03.25.2015

      I wouldn’t from day to day (they’re kind of all soggy once you’re done), but I’ve left them in throughout the day as I refilled my cup. Also, be sure to get yours in the bulk spice section where they’re really affordable.

  13. Dina from oliveoilandlemons.com
    03.25.2015

    You have such a gorgeous blog. I love the lightness of the images. The recipe for chai latte is so appealing, both in the visuals and the flavour profile, I think I’ll try it. Thank you for posting.

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.