This iced chai latte is one of my favorite summer drinks. I steep chai tea until it’s rich and flavorful, stir in a little honey syrup for natural sweetness, and finish it off with cold milk. It’s smooth, refreshing, and just the right balance of spicy, creamy, and sweet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s so simple to make ahead and enjoy throughout the week. Cold-steeping the tea gives it a mellow, smooth flavor without bitterness, and the honey syrup blends right in without clumping like regular honey. I also like that I can make it just how I want—extra strong, lightly sweet, or extra creamy depending on my mood. Whether I’m sipping it slowly on a hot afternoon or pouring it into a travel cup on the go, this iced chai latte always hits the spot.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the iced chai:
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4 tea bags of chai
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1 quart water
For the honey syrup:
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1/4 cup honey
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1/4 cup water
To serve:
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Milk, any kind
Directions
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Combine the tea bags and water in a quart-sized jar. Cover and let steep at room temperature for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.
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While the tea steeps, make the honey syrup by microwaving honey and water together for 30 seconds, then stirring until dissolved. Let it cool and refrigerate until needed.
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Once the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and refrigerate the tea until ready to use.
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To serve, place ice cubes in a glass, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of honey syrup, pour in a cup of chai tea, and top with your choice of milk. Stir and adjust sweetness or creaminess to taste.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 4 servings. Prep time takes about 5 minutes, with 4 to 12 hours of steeping time depending on how strong I want the flavor. The total active time is just 5 minutes.
Variations
I sometimes make extra-strong chai by adding more tea bags or less water. When I want a dairy-free version, I swap the milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk. Maple syrup or agave nectar work beautifully in place of honey if I want a different sweetness. For a fun twist, I freeze some of the tea into ice cubes so the latte never gets watered down as the ice melts.
storage/reheating
The prepared chai tea and honey syrup keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week. I always store them separately so I can customize each glass. I don’t add the milk until I’m ready to serve because it tastes fresher that way. If I have extra tea, I pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it to use in future lattes.
FAQs
Can I use loose-leaf chai instead of tea bags?
Yes, I can substitute 4 tablespoons of loose-leaf chai for the tea bags. I just strain it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth before chilling.
What kind of milk tastes best in an iced chai latte?
I like whole milk for creaminess, but oat milk gives a smooth, slightly sweet flavor. Coconut milk adds a tropical touch, while almond milk makes it lighter.
Can I make this recipe sugar-free?
Yes, I can skip the honey syrup and sweeten it with stevia, monk fruit, or another sugar-free option. Just remember some sweeteners dissolve differently in cold drinks.
How do I make it stronger or lighter?
I simply adjust the steeping time or number of tea bags. For a bolder flavor, I use more tea bags or let it steep the full 12 hours. For a lighter taste, I steep it for less time or use fewer bags.
Can I heat this to make a hot chai latte?
Yes, I can warm the prepared chai on the stove or in the microwave, stir in the honey syrup, and add steamed milk for a cozy hot version.
Conclusion
Iced chai lattes have become my go-to drink whenever I want something refreshing but still comforting. I love how customizable this recipe is—I can play with sweetness, milk choices, or spice strength to suit exactly what I’m craving. Having a batch of chai ready in the fridge makes it easy to pour a glass anytime, and the honey syrup keeps it smooth and perfectly sweet. This is one drink I never get tired of making.
Print
Iced Chai Latte
- Total Time: 5 minutes (plus 4 to 12 hours steeping time)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This iced chai latte is a refreshing and customizable summer drink made by cold-steeping chai tea and adding a naturally sweet honey syrup, finished with milk of your choice. It’s smooth, spicy, creamy, and lightly sweet.
Ingredients
4 tea bags of chai
1 quart water
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup water (for honey syrup)
Milk, any kind, to serve
Ice cubes, to serve
Instructions
- Combine the tea bags and 1 quart of water in a quart-sized jar. Cover and let steep at room temperature for 4 to 12 hours.
- Microwave 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup water together for 30 seconds to make the honey syrup. Stir until dissolved. Let cool and refrigerate.
- After steeping, remove the tea bags and refrigerate the tea until ready to use.
- To serve, fill a glass with ice, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of honey syrup, pour in 1 cup of chai tea, and top with your choice of milk. Stir to combine and adjust to taste.
Notes
- Adjust steeping time or tea bag quantity for stronger or lighter chai flavor.
- Dairy-free milk options like almond, oat, or coconut work well.
- Sweeteners like maple syrup or agave can substitute honey.
- Freeze chai tea into ice cubes to prevent dilution.
- Store tea and syrup separately in the fridge for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Cold Steeping
- Cuisine: Indian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg