You may be wondering, what is a dirty chai latte? If you’re not familiar with what exactly makes a chai latte dirty - the answer is simply, coffee! Take your favourite winter warming milky drink, add a shot of espresso and hey presto - you have a brew that will both perk you up and leave you feeling delightfully cosy, all at the same time.
If that sounds like your (tea) bag, try out our recipe to enjoy your very own dirty chai latte at home!
Dirty Chai Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground fennel seed
- 240ml water
- 1 x black tea bag
- Finely-ground Pact Fruit & Nut Espresso Coffee (18g per serving)
- 120ml milk of your choice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
- Star anise (optional)
Tools
- Small saucepan
- 1 x large or 2 x small mugs
- Espresso machine or AeroPress
Method
- Mix together all the spices to create your spice mix - you can store the leftovers in a sealed container for up to 1 year.
- In a small saucepan combine the water, 1 tsp of chai spice mix and the tea bag.
- Place over a medium heat and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and allow to rest for 1 minute.
- Brew your espresso into your mug(s) using either an AeroPress or espresso machine - check out our handy Brew Guide!
- Once your chai has rested, pour it through a fine mesh strainer into your mug(s).
- Give the saucepan a quick rinse and then add the milk and optional maple syrup.
- Place over a medium heat. For the perfect foam, you want to warm it so it’s hot with a few bubbles forming around the outside, but not quite simmering. If you have a thermometer, this will be at 150F.
- Remove from heat and use either a whisk or hand frother to foam the milk until it’s good and frothy. Allow to set for 30 seconds.
- Pour milk into your mug(s) and sprinkle over a pinch of chai spices and optional star anise to decorate.
- Enjoy your homemade Dirty Chai Latte!
Looking for more recipe ideas?
Why not bake our heavenly coffee and chocolate cake to enjoy alongside your dirty chai. Alternatively, try whipping up our Head of Coffee’s magnificent Espresso Martini Recipe.
