Matcha Chai Latte (Hot or Iced)

Name: Matcha Chai Latte
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup hot water; 1 tsp matcha powder; 1¼ cup plant-based milk (I used oat milk); sweetener to taste (I use about 1 tablespoon of maple syrup); ¼ tsp ground cinnamon; ⅛ tsp ground ginger; ⅛ tsp cardamom; ⅛ tsp nutmeg

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Add a nice spin next time you make a matcha latte with these delicious warming fall spice flavors! It is easy, healthy and SO delicious. And also happens to be vegan and dairy-free. I'm sure this matcha chai latte will be your new favorite autumn treat!

Front angle view on a bowl of matcha chai latte.

If you are a matcha enthusiast, then here is a delicious way to turn your cozy matcha latte drink into a nice treat for the fall.

And what a better combo than matcha + chai spices, they go so well together! The mild bitterness from the matcha powder is balanced out by the other spices, which makes the whole drink super smooth. Plus, this drink is not more difficult to prepare then simply making a regular matcha latte. It pretty much only requires to add extra spices to your drink, that's it!

It is comforting, packed with antioxidant-rich spices and SO full of flavors. I even made a larger batch, enjoyed a cup right away while still warm, and then drank the remaining as an iced matcha chai latte the next day and it was amazing. The spices had some time to infuse the milk nicely, so the flavors were even more pronounced!

The chai spices mix include cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and ground ginger, but there are room for variation depending on what you have. Plus, did you know that spices don't simply add flavor, they are so good-for-you too!

The energizing effect of matcha green tea powder combined with the metabolism boosting effect from cinnamon surely will help you go through that afternoon slump in energy!

Combine with some vegan scones or peanut butter cookies for such a nice afternoon snack!

Let me know how you like it! 🧡

View on a bowl of hot matcha chai latte dusted with spices.

Why you'll love this recipe

Very easy and quick, plus you don't need fancy equipment to make it!
Full of flavor and a great drink for the fall
Can be made ahead
Healthy
Enjoy it hot or cold!
Versatile
Vegan & dairy-free

Health benefits of this matcha chai latte

You probably already heard about all of the amazing health benefits matcha has for your body and your mind: it is ULTRA rich in antioxidants (by the way, much more than an infused cup of green tea using whole leaves!), is full of anti-inflammatory effects, boosts the immune system, carries tons of vitamins and minerals and also, has proven brain function support. Matcha even provides some plant-based protein! The list goes on and on!

All these health benefits aside, I also love how matcha helps me stay sharp and focused when I have to work on my computer, without that rushing intense effect from coffee that's always followed by a big down.

And this matcha latte is boosted by even more healthiness! I feel like we often underestimate spices, using them only to flavor our recipes, but they are much more powerful for our health than we realized. As an example, just a little sprinkle of cinnamon or ginger and you will boost your metabolism, load your body with more valuable antioxidants, help lower your blood pressure, and so much more. Here is some more reading I suggest that might inspire you to include more spices daily in your meals and drinks: Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices and 13 Major Cinnamon Benefits Explain Why It’s the World’s No. 1 Spice.

Ingredients

Matcha green tea powder: try using a ceremonial grade if you can, although I sometimes use a culinary grade even when making lattes and it works just fine. I used this matcha powder from matcha organics. In any case, aim for a good quality matcha powder for best result!
Plant-based milk: use your favorite, although I recommend using oat milk for lattes. It froths well and is a little thicker and super creamy, which works great in this recipe. If you happen to have some vegan horchata on hands, then use it instead or regular milk!
Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and ground ginger are the spices I use for this chai mix. You can also add a dash of allspice and clove if you want.
Sweetener: use your favorite sweetener. I always use maple syrup to sweetene lattes, but agave nectar, granulated sugar or stevia work too.

Showing are the ingredient needed to make this recipe.

How to make a matcha chai latte

Make the matcha and spice mix

To the bottom of your serving mug, add the matcha powder (sift in the cup if you want), cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and ground ginger. Then, pour the hot water over and whisk well until all dissolved. This usually takes me almost a whole minute and also, I like to use a bamboo matcha whisk as it breaks up the clumps very well. Use a regular small whisk if that's all you have!

Make the frothy milk

Warm up the plant-based milk either using the microwave or on the stove in a small sauce pan. Make sure not to bring it to a boil, just warm it up until very hot. Then, add the sweetener and froth the milk to your liking.

To froth the milk:

Use an electric frother to froth the sweetened warm milk right into a mug (see this blue matcha latte video at 0:28 to see how I use my handheld electric frother) OR
Combine the warm milk and sweetener in a mason jar, seal very well and shake until frothy. It works!

Combine

Pour the frothy milk over the mug with the matcha and spices and stir. Taste and adjust spices to your liking.

In process picture: there is some matcha powder sifting in a mug.

In process picture: view on matcha powder and some spices at the bottom of a cup.

How to make an iced matcha chai latte

This recipe works great for both warm and cold drinks! My video shows how I make a warm latte, but here is how you can easily make a cold latte:

Combine the matcha and spices with the hot water and whisk as described
Skip warming up the milk
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes
Pour the cold milk over the ice cubes
Then, pour the matcha-chai spices mix over
Add sweetener to taste, stir and enjoy!

Watch how to make it

Tips

Adjust the amount of matcha powder depending on your taste. Matcha is a little bitter, but definitely a flavor that your taste buds get used to over time. I recommend to start with 1 teaspoon, but you might want to use a little more if you are already used to drinking matcha lattes.
If the spices you used are coarse or contains small pieces, then you might want to consider straining the matcha-spice-hot water mixture before combining with the milk.
I like to sift the matcha powder while adding it to my mug. This helps break up the tiny clumps that fine matcha powder typically has and avoids ending up with a lumpy matcha latte. As seen in the quick video, I use this matcha latte set that includes the bamboo whisk and sifter. Also be sure to whisk VERY well and long enough to dissolve the powder nicely.

Front view on a tall glass of matcha chai latte with a matcha whisk and some maple syrup in the background.

Modifications to the recipe

Oat milk is my plant-based milk of choice for lattes, but for an even richer and creamier result, then you could use coconut milk (NOT the can, use the milk in the carton in the fridge).

Also, feel free to use this recipe as an inspiration and add more flavoring ingredients such as vanilla extract, turmeric powder, pumpkin spice mix, etc.

And check out this Iced dirty chai latte made with coffee for another fall treat!

Storage tips

You can make more and store any leftovers in the fridge for a few days. Then, simply reheat using the microwave or the stove before serving. Or, we loved our leftovers cold pour over ice cubes!

View on a tall glass of an iced matcha chai latte with a long spoon and some spices over showing the foamy top.

FAQ's

Does this drink have caffeine?

Yes, matcha powder does have some caffeine, although less than a regular cup of coffee. In this recipe, you will use 1 teaspoon of matcha green powder, which provides about 70 mg of caffeine (depending on the brand and how the matcha powder was prepared). Keep this in mind if enjoying this drink later in the day or if you want to share with your kids!

Can I use store-bought chai spice mix?

Yes of course! Simple use about ½-3/4 teaspoon of your mix when making this drink. Other pre-mix of spices would work well such as pumpkin spice mix. I made a larger batch of chai mix when making a banana chai smoothie that I also use when making matcha lattes.

Can I use chai tea bags?

Yes, absolutely! Simply steep the 1 or 2 tea bags in the hot water for about 5 minutes (you might want to use a little more than ¼ cup to help the steeping process). Remove the bag(s) and add the matcha powder and whisk well. Then, keep going with the recipe as described. You may need to add a pinch extra of cinnamon if the spice flavor isn't strong enough. Also, just keep in mind that chai tea often is made with black tea, which would add more caffeine to your drink.

Front angle view on a matcha iced latte made with some chai spices.

More matcha recipes you might like

Try these other warm drinks next time

I hope you like this matcha chai latte as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

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