A dirty chai tea latte is exactly what it sounds like: chai tea with a shot of coffee added in. It’s actually one of my favorite coffee shop drinks, and I frequently order it.
But it’s also super simple to make at home! The key to a good dirty chai tea latte is honestly the chai. It makes all the difference.
What Is a Dirty Chai Tea Latte?
A dirty chai tea latte starts with chai tea, which is typically a black tea blended with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, and then adds one or two shots of espresso. Personally, I use one shot of espresso because my latte is typically 12-16 oz.
The result is a drink that sits right between tea and coffee:
- The spices from the chai remain front and center
- The espresso adds depth and richness
- Milk ties everything together into a smooth, balanced drink
Why Do Coffee and Chai Work Together?
Chai tea already contains black tea, which has natural bitterness and body. Espresso layers onto that structure rather than competing with it.
When you pair the chai and espresso together, you get a more complex latte that isn’t overly sweet.
This makes a dirty chai tea latte a good option for people who like spice-forward drinks but don’t want something syrup-heavy.
Chai Tea Options for a Dirty Chai
As I said earlier, the chai tea you use in your dirty chai tea latte really makes all the difference. There are a few different ways to make chai:
- Chai tea bags: Brew strong for the best flavor.
- Loose-leaf chai: Offers deeper spice notes if you enjoy a more pronounced chai flavor.
- Chai concentrate: Convenient and consistent, especially for iced versions.
Any of these options works; the key really is to have a chai that is strong enough to stand up to the espresso. I personally use chai tea bags because they’re easy and convenient. I do use chai concentrate (like this one) for iced versions, and it works great too!
Tea vs. Coffee: A Simple Caffeine Comparison
Since a dirty chai tea latte combines both tea and coffee, it naturally contains more caffeine than a standard chai latte.
Here’s a general comparison to help set expectations:
- Black chai tea contains caffeine, but typically less than coffee.
- Espresso is more concentrated, delivering caffeine in a smaller volume.
- Dirty chai tea lattes combine both sources, landing somewhere between a chai latte and a traditional latte, depending on how many espresso shots are added.
The exact caffeine content in your latte will vary based on brewing strength, tea type, and espresso quantity, but remember, you can always use decaf chai tea and decaf espresso to make an almost caffeine-free version. (I say almost only because decaf tea and decaf coffee typically contain a very small amount of caffeine still, so just be mindful of that!).
Latte vs. Chai Tea Latte vs. Dirty Chai
These are three distinct drinks, but all share similar ingredients, so the flavor experience is quite different:
- Latte: A classic coffee drink that is simply espresso with milk. Coffee-forward, smooth, and typically less spiced or sweet unless flavored with something.
- Chai Tea Latte: Chai tea with milk. Spice-forward, lightly caffeinated, and tea-based.
- Dirty Chai Tea Latte: Chai tea with espresso and milk. Balanced between spice and coffee, offering more depth than chai alone and still giving you that coffee taste that you crave (or maybe that’s just me!).
If you enjoy chai tea but occasionally want something stronger, a dirty chai tea latte bridges the gap and gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to tea and coffee.
Dirty Chai Tea Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- Strong-brewed chai tea
- 1–2 shots of espresso (you can use a strongly brewed coffee, but espresso works better)
- Milk or milk alternative
- Sweetener of choice (optional)
Directions
- Brew chai tea according to package directions, be sure to use slightly less water for a stronger base.
- Brew espresso or strong coffee.
- Combine chai tea and espresso in a mug.
- Add steamed or warmed milk.
- Sweeten if desired with sugar or honey.
A dirty chai tea latte offers a simple way to combine tea and coffee into one drink without complicating your routine.
And now I want to know…do you usually lean toward tea or coffee? Have you ever tried a dirty chai tea latte before?
As I said, it’s one of my favorite coffee shop drinks, so let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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