Love the Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate from Starbucks but want to make your own? Here’s a copycat recipe that keeps for up to a week in the fridge. Simply add milk and serve hot.

chai tea in a glass.

With its warm flavors and fantastic aroma, it is no wonder that Chai Tea Lattes are frequently ordered at Starbucks or your local coffee shop. However, those cups of goodness add up quickly!

You won’t break the bank with this convenient Taco Chai Concentrate copycat recipe that tastes just as delicious.

Contents hide
1 Why You Need This Recipe
2 Ingredients
3 Recipe Steps
4 Recipe Tips
5 Recipe FAQs
6 More Healthy Tea Recipes You Might Like
7 Don’t Miss These Delicious Hot Beverages
8 Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Chai Lattes are oh-so-yummy, but ordering one at the drive-thru each morning takes a lot of time and money. This recipe allows you to save both without missing out on the amazing flavor of masala chai.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten and dairy-free. It can also be adjusted to fit a vegan lifestyle. Just be sure to use the recommended amount of sugar in place of the honey to create a vegan-friendly concentrate.
  • By using your own fresh, clean ingredients, you can rest assured you are enjoying a beverage that is free of any extra processed additives that can keep your body from performing at its best.

Ingredients

ingredients for chai tea concentrate on a white counter.
  • Black tea is the base of making your own chai concentrate that highlights all of the added spices. You can use loose tea or black tea bags.
  • Cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, fresh ginger & black peppercorns marry together to create the signature warm flavor well known to chai tea. They are the perfect blend of whole spices to hit the spot with pure natural flavors and no need for artificial flavors.
  • Honey adds a touch of sweetness to this recipe and balances out the spices nicely. Feel free to play around with the amount you add to your chai tea to find what suits you best. You can also use maple syrup, brown sugar, or your favorite sweetener.

Be sure to check the full recipe card at the end of this post with the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

the process for making chai tea concentrate.

Step One

Boil four cups of water in a saucepan. While the water is heating up, crush the spices to release their flavors.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Add the tea and spices to the boiling water.

Reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes to let the spices and tea steep.

Step Three

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the tea and spices.

Stir in your sweetener of choice until completely dissolved.

Step Four

Allow the concentrate to cool, then store until ready to use.

Mix equal parts with your choice of milk and serve hot or over ice cubes for an iced chai latte.

I hope you agree that this homemade chai concentrate recipe is better than any you’ll get at grocery stores or coffee shops.

The best part is that this homemade chai tea can be adapted to your own perfect drink based on your preferences.

chai tea concentrate in a jar.

Recipe Tips

  • The concentrate can be strong, so feel free to dilute it with more water or hot milk of your choice when serving as a hot chai latte.
  • I like to use filtered water to avoid any chlorine taste in the tazo chai concentrate.
  • I made this concentrate less sweet than the original. If you prefer a sweet chai, increase the sugar in the recipe to ½ cup.
  • This recipe can be adapted to your needs. Feel free to add star anise, ginger juice, or vanilla bean paste depending on what flavors you like best.

Recipe FAQs

How long does Chai Tea Concentrate last after it is prepared?

As long as the Chai Tea Concentrate is refrigerated in an air-tight container like a mason jar, it will stay fresh for up to one week.

Can I use chai tea bags instead of black tea?

Yes, but black tea is traditional.

What is a “dirty chai?”

A Dirty Chai Latte blends the aromatic spices of a chai tea latte, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, with the robust kick of a shot of espresso, giving it a distinctive “dirty” twist. This versatile drink, enjoyable with steamed milk or a milk alternative, can be served hot or iced, catering to both tea and coffee aficionados.

chai tea in a glass with a straw.

More Healthy Tea Recipes You Might Like

Don’t Miss These Delicious Hot Beverages

Homemade Peppermint Coffee Recipe (Dairy-Free Option)

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Orange Peel Tea Using Fresh or Dried Peels

Maca Coffee Recipe

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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chai tea in a glass.

Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Love the Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate from Starbucks but want to make your own? Here’s a copycat recipe that keeps for up to a week in the fridge. Simply add milk and serve hot.

  • Total Time: 15 Minutes
  • Yield: 4 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 cups of water
  • 4 bags of black tea or 2 tablespoons loose black tea
  • 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 8–10 cardamom pods, crushed or 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns or 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup of honey or white sugar (feel free to leave this out if you prefer to sweeten your chai when you make it)

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
  2. Prepare the spices and tea by crushing the whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and fresh ginger to release their flavors; skip this step if using ground spices.
  3. Use a slotted spoon to carefully add the black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and black peppercorns to the boiling water. Simmer the mixture over low heat for about 10 minutes.
  4. After 10 minutes, turn off the heat and carefully strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the tea and spices.
  5. Stir in the honey or sugar while the mixture is still hot to dissolve it easily.
  6. Allow the concentrate to cool to room temperature, then store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
  7. Serve the chai concentrate by mixing it with an equal amount of milk or a milk alternative, either hot or poured over ice.

Notes

  1. The concentrate can be strong, so feel free to dilute it with more water or milk when serving.
  2. I like to use filtered water to avoid any chlorine taste in the concentrate.
  3. I made this concentrate less sweet than the original. If you prefer a sweet chai, increase the sugar in the recipe to ½ cup.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: 65
  • Sugar: 12.5 g
  • Sodium: 11.5 mg
  • Fat: 0.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16.6 g
  • Fiber: 1.9 g
  • Protein: 0.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.