Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (2024)

4.60 from 10 votes

ByStacie VaughanOn Updated

8 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy.

I honestly don’t think there’s anything better than curling up with a good book and a delicious hot drink. And if you’re not feeling a typical coffee, this slow cooker chai latte is an absolute dream. It’s sweet, spicy, and loaded with authentic flavors. Seriously, the hit of spice you get from the cardamom seeds and ginger is next-level!

Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (1)

You’ll be using a combination of spices, a hint of sugar, classic black tea bags, and plenty of milk. It IS a latte, after all. The result should be a warming delight with a peppery kick at the end of each sip.

Although the flavors themselves make this chai latte shine, it’s honestly the slow cooker that makes this recipe stand out. Not only is the drink entirely homemade, but you don’t need to worry about using expensive coffee machines or carefully watching the stove while you brew! Throw in some whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg on top and you’ll have the perfect winter warmer.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chai Latte

  • You can easily switch out the milk to make the recipe dairy-free.
  • Slow cooking the chai latte makes your house smell incredible.
  • The slow cooker method lets the spices infuse into the tea, making it taste far stronger than other chai lattes.
  • It’s a great alternative to a strong cup of coffee or a hot chocolate if you’re craving a warm drink.
Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (2)

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

  • Milk: Cow’s milk is what we’ll use for this recipe. Feel free to switch it for any dairy-free alternative of your choice!
  • Cloves: For a warm, strong, and spicy flavor.
  • Nutmeg: Gives your slow cooker chai latte a nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet taste.
  • Ginger: For a boost of warmth (and a bunch of antioxidants!).
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the other flavors in the recipe while adding a light, vanilla taste.
  • Sugar: For a touch of sweetness that balances the spices.
  • Cinnamon: Gives your chai latte a woody flavor with a touch of citrus.
  • Cardamom seeds: For a signature peppery flavor!
  • Black tea bags: Forms the base of any chai recipe.
Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (3)

How to Make Slow Cooker Chai Latte

  • Step One: Add milk to the slow cooker and stir in cloves, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla extract, cinnamon and sugar. Float the cardamom seeds and tea bags on top.
  • Step Two: Cover and cook for 2 hours on high. Serve hot.
Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (4)

Equipment Needed

You need just a handful of kitchen staples to bring this slow cooker chai latte to life. These are the top tools I recommend picking up before starting.

This post contains affiliate links.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Chai Latte

This chai latte is gorgeous as a morning pick-me-up, but it also works well with a spot of dessert!

Try this slow cooker chai latte with any of the gorgeous bakes below:

  • Banana Cake
  • Carrot Cake Cups
  • Chocolate Cake Batter Fudge
  • Wacky Cake
Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (5)

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Make sure you remember to leave the chai latte mix in your slow cooker for long enough. Although it’ll technically be fine with less than 2 hours, leaving it longer lets the spices truly seep into the milk.
  • Don’t forget to set the crock pot to high. This will infuse the milk more quickly and help you get on the move in no time!

Variations and Substitutions

  • If you don’t want to use regular milk, use almond, soy, oat, cashew, or hazelnut milk! The dairy-free alternatives might slightly alter the creaminess and taste of the latte, but it’ll keep it vegan.
  • If you need to make more, feel free to multiply the quantities from this recipe. Just make sure you’re not making more than your slow cooker can handle.
  • Add a small amount of coconut whipped cream and cinnamon to the top if you want a glorious, fall-inspired latte.
  • If you want to boost your latte, try adding a shot of espresso!
  • If you don’t have tea bags, feel free to use an equivalent measurement of loose black tea leaves (in a tea ball!).
  • Fresh turmeric can be gorgeous if you want to make a “golden chai” with slightly more warmth and a vibrant color.
Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (6)

Storage Instructions

This slow cooker chai latte is best enjoyed fresh.

However, you can let it cool completely before transferring the liquid to airtight mason jars for up to a week in the fridge.

Can I Freeze?

If you need to freeze your chai latte, let it cool completely before transferring it to Ziploc bags. You can freeze the mixture for up to 3 months.

When defrosting, transfer the Ziploc bags to a container and allow them to thaw in the fridge.

Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (7)

Hot Drinks

  • Cinnamon Cappuccino
  • Maple Latte
  • Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Hot Chocolat
  • Butterscotch Steamer
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte
  • Gingerbread Latte

For something cold, try this Iced Honey Almond Milk Latte.

You’ll also like this Pumpkin Spice Creamer.

Follow me on Instagram@simplystacieblog, Facebook atSimply Stacie, TikTok@simplystacierecipesor Pinterest at@simplystacieand let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (8)

Rate this Recipe

4.60 from 10 votes

Slow Cooker Chai Latte

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Servings 4

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Sweet and spicy! This cozy drink is perfect for cold nights curled up with a good book.

Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 cups milk
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 4 cardamom seeds
  • 4 black tea bags

Instructions

  • Add milk to the slow cooker and stir in cloves, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla extract, cinnamon and sugar. Float the cardamom seeds and tea bags on top.

  • Cover and cook for 2 hours on high. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.2g | Protein: 8.4g | Fat: 5.1g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 19.7mg | Sodium: 116.8mg | Fiber: 1.4g | Sugar: 25.1g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course Beverages

Cuisine American

Keyword chai latte, slow cooker chai latte

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

Want Even More Recipes?

Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.

Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (9)

free ebook!

The Best of Simply Stacie

When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!

Slow Cooker Chai Latte Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between chai tea and chai latte? ›

Chai Tea vs Chai Latte – The difference

Chai tea is a loose-leaf style tea brewed in hot milk, usually with some honey or sugar to sweeten it up. While Chai lattes are often made with either a soluble powder or a syrup imitating a chai flavor.

What is the difference between a chai latte and a dirty chai latte? ›

Dirty Chai: The primary difference between a chai latte and a dirty chai is the addition of espresso. A dirty chai latte consists of the spiced tea and steamed milk found in a chai latte but also includes a shot of espresso. This gives the drink a strong coffee taste that sets it apart from the chai latte.

What concentrate does Starbucks use for chai latte? ›

"Tazo Chai latte is the brand served at Starbucks.

How do coffee shops make their chai lattes? ›

Most cafes that offer chai lattes don't actually brew the tea themselves, they make them by adding powdered tea to steamed milk. There's nothing wrong with this method.

Is chai tea latte better for you than coffee? ›

Chai lattes are rich in antioxidants, which help eliminate free radicals in the body, reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, the high caffeine content in coffee can lead to side effects such as anxiety, digestive problems, insomnia, muscle breakdown, and heart palpitations.

Are chai lattes healthy? ›

Like many teas, chai is excellent for regulating digestive systems and keeping your gut healthy. The spice in chai tea that is largely responsible for digestive health benefits is ginger. Ginger, along with black pepper, cinnamon and cloves may help support healthy digestion.

What has more caffeine chai or latte? ›

How Does Chai Tea Compare to Coffee? Both tea and coffee are traditional morning drinks with the ability to wake you up. But even a strong cup of chai tea has less caffeine than coffee. A typical cup of black chai tea has around 60 milligrams of caffeine, while eight ounces of coffee has 120.

Does chai latte have more caffeine than coffee? ›

Chai lattes generally have less caffeine than a cup of coffee but more than most herbal teas. For instance, a typical cup of coffee can contain about 95 mg of caffeine, while a chai latte might have around 40-70 mg depending on the preparation.

Is spiced chai the same as chai latte? ›

Although chai lattes are a Western take on Indian masala chai, they exhibit some similarities, such as the use of tea, milk, and a blend of spices. However, chai lattes traditionally have a frothy texture due to steamed milk and often have a sweeter taste compared to their masala chai counterparts.

What brand of chai tea mix does Starbucks use? ›

Tazo Chai Concentrate (Starbucks brand)

You can find their products in most grocery stores. This is the tea that Starbucks uses for its tea lattes and other beverages. Starbucks uses a special (and more concentrated) version of the Tazo Chai Concentrate that is not sold commercially.

What kind of chai does Dunkin Donuts use? ›

While the spices used to make chai can vary depending on where you buy it, at Dunkin', our chai features a blend of spices including cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom and nutmeg.

Do they put water in chai tea lattes at Starbucks? ›

Ingredients. Milk, Water, Chai Tea Concentrate [An Infusion Of (Water, Black Tea, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Natural Flavours, Star Anise), Sugar, Honey, Ginger Juice, Natural Flavours, Vanilla, Citric Acid].

Is Starbucks chai tea latte made with real tea? ›

Yes, it contains tea. The chai tea latte is made from a chai concentrate (the syrup you mention), which is a combination of tea concentrate with spices and sweeteners added. Then hot water is added (which actually helps bring out the flavors, contrary to many people's beliefs), then steamed milk and foam.

Why does chai latte taste so good? ›

The quintessential chai latte is a blend of bold black tea, a symphony of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, and the creamy richness of milk. This combination creates a complex flavor profile that is both invigorating and comforting.

Do you need an espresso machine to make a chai latte? ›

The key to making chai lattes like a Starbucks or coffee shop barista lies in the frothing process. The easiest way to froth milk is to use an espresso machine, coffee maker, or a frothing wand.

Can you drink chai tea everyday? ›

Can you drink chai tea every day? Black tea varieties, like chai tea, are considered safe for drinking daily. But black tea has a range of caffeine, from 30 to 50 milligrams, so it's best to limit daily tea drinking.

Is Chai Tea a latte or tea? ›

The chai latte is hot, milky, fragrant, gently spicy, and popular in cafés everywhere. However, despite the fact that it's served in coffee shops and named after the latte, it actually contains no coffee whatsoever. Chai is one of the world's oldest tea-based drinks.

What makes chai tea different? ›

While in other countries, we regard it as a sub-style of tea, globally Chai stands independently from other flavor profiles. The main distinguishing factor about Chai is the unique blend of spices and aroma in every cup. The original base is cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.

Is chai tea always latte? ›

You don't have to call it “chai latte” because masala chai is nearly always made with hot milk. And chai doesn't typically have that thin layer of foamed milk that a cafe latte does -- unless you get yours at Starbucks.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Horacio Brakus JD

Last Updated:

Views: 6297

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Horacio Brakus JD

Birthday: 1999-08-21

Address: Apt. 524 43384 Minnie Prairie, South Edda, MA 62804

Phone: +5931039998219

Job: Sales Strategist

Hobby: Sculling, Kitesurfing, Orienteering, Painting, Computer programming, Creative writing, Scuba diving

Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.