vanilla almond chai latte
Welcome to vanilla-almondy, cinnamon-sugary, spiced chai latte bliss. If you’re anything like me, my friends and probably about two-thirds of the U.S. population, you have a slight addiction to coffee beverages from coffee shops. But it’s so yummy, says you. It’s like a daily treat, you justify. And by you I mean me. And then I look into my wallet and realize said treats are making my bank account weep, and not with happy tears.
So I’ve been trying to cut back on the number of trips I make to the drive-thru down the street (yes, I have a Caribou Coffee JUST DOWN THE STREET. It’s torture, you guys. #firstworldproblems) (also, all of these trips currently are for half-caff/decaf beverages, in case you worry I’m being insensitive to my fetus) and instead, make some tasty beverages from the home. Once I stumbled upon the recipe for this homemade latte and took a sip, I felt like I needed a microphone. So I could drop it.
Friends, you’re going to love this latte. It’s sweet and creamy from the vanilla almond and sweetened condensed milks, and the coffee base is perfectly spiced to chai perfection. Top it all off with a cinnamon-sugar mixture (or as I lovingly like to call it, “snickerdoodle topping”) and get ready to feel like you’ve just spent a million bucks at Starbucks for the best drink ever — except that you saved some pennies and still get to drink a tasty coffee beverage (you feel like dropping a mic now, don’t you?).
I used vanilla almond milk for this recipe because I really wanted the creamy, vanilla-almondy flavor goodness, but feel free to use regular milk and flavor it with a dash of vanilla and almond extracts. And if you’re fancy enough to have a milk frother or one of those bebe whisks for frothing, use it to make a foam party in the milk and spoon a few dollops on top of each mug (I whisked the milk as I heated it to create froth and though there were some bubbles, it was hardly a party). Oh, and you can definitely make this iced; just let the mixture cool completely, chill it in the fridge and then pour it over ice.
Don’t forget the snickerdoodle topping!
This latte + me/you – money-sucking coffee shop = Oh happy day.
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Vanilla Almond Chai Latte
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup fine-ground dark roast coffee
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon peeled and grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- Large pinch of salt
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla almond milk or regular milk
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together coffee, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, cardamom, ground ginger, allspice, grated fresh ginger, pepper, cloves and salt until combined. Pour into a coffee filter for a drip machine. Pour cold water into machine and brew. (OR, combine above ingredients along with cold water in a 48 oz French press coffee maker; place lid on with plunger extended. Let the mixture brew for 4 to 5 minutes, then press down the plunger.
- Meanwhile, combine sugar and remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Pour milk into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly 5 minutes until foamy and warmed through.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk into a large mixing bowl (preferably with a lip/pour spout). Top with brewed coffee; stir until well combined. Divide mixture among coffee mugs.
- Use a spoon to push aside the foam from the top of the milk in the saucepan. Pour a little milk in each mug, then spoon foam on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
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1) what? You have a caribou on your street? So jealous. There isn’t any in upstate NY and makes me sad coz I think it’s better than Starbucks. So everytime in I’m st Paul, I go into caribou overload and always board the plane with one.
2) this latte sounds delicious. I’m loving all the creamy vanilla and almond going on 🙂
Yep my 5 dollar morning coffee is killing me’ especially when I need petrol to get to work. So anyway to save is a bonus for student like me. Love the spices and vanilla here; warmming and delicious as chai lattes should be
I could drink this all day!!
Pretty sure this drink will make me LOVE coffee and since I am so tried right now I am thinking now would be a good time to make this one. Sounds awesome!
I am dying over this! Just finished my workout and need a good boost to tackle my day…gotta get on this!!
I am sitting on the train and forgot my coffee today so this post is torture. I need this drink! It looks so good. Luckily there is a caribou in my building at work so I can get my fix. I totally drank half caf when I was pregnant with my daughter and I was so, so happy to go back to regular after she was born.
Zainab — Oh, I know. I’ve lived places where Caribous are scarce and it’s the worst. Good thing we can make lattes at home that are just as yummy! 😉
Belinda — It’s amazing how quickly it adds up!
DessertForTwo — Thanks, lady! 🙂
Tieghan — Do it!! You won’t regret it. 😉
Steph — It’s perfect post-workout fuel, I think! 😉
Jenna — I think I will hear a choir of angels sing when I can order a regular latte again. 😉
YUM. Love everything about this!
Wow this looks delicious! I have actually never had a chai latte, only chai teas. I do have a starbucks/caffeine addiction though. Your photos are great too – Can’t wait to try this…we’ll see how it comes out for me!
Marie — Thanks, my dear!