Copycat Starbucks Chai Tea Latte

In my circle of friends, they either really love Starbucks or they really dislike them. The purists believe there are better coffee shops, which I believe is true, but Starbucks to me is like McDonald's. Consistency is key to their success. Whether you are in Vancouver or New York or Seattle, my Earl Grey Tea Latte, extra hot, non fat, no foam, two pumps of vanilla tastes virtually the same.

Actually, I stopped buying the Earl Grey Tea Latte since it is almost $2 more expensive than when they used to customize a Earl Grey Tea Misto for $2.50 all in. Anyhow, I am a Starbucks fan (especially when their drinks go on sale) otherwise, I stick with my tall Pike roast and get a free refill to go.

Starbucks sells Tazo Chai Latte Black Tea concentrate. You can purchase this on Starbuck's website but I found it at my Costco on sale for $6 for three 946 ml cartons. At Starbucks, a Chai Tea Latte could costs you between $3 to $6 depending on your customization and drink size.

Shortcut to making your own Starbucks Chai Tea Latte

Here's my way to make these drinks at home for a fraction of the price. Next time, I will have to try making the chai tea latte from scratch!

Makes: 2 cups chai tea latte (250 ml each, equivalent to a "short" at Starbucks)
Cost: $0.42/cup

Special Equipment: Milk Frother (optional - see tip below to froth milk in the microwave)

Ingredients
1 cup Tazo Chai Latte concentrate
1 cup milk, any variety (cow, soy, almond, rice)
Cinnamon or Nutmeg to taste

Directions
1. In a small saucepan over high heat, bring the 1 cup of chai tea latte concentrate to a boil.

Bring the concentrate to a rolling boil.

2. Pour the boiled tea latte concentrate equally into two mugs.

Roughly equal amounts in each mug.

3. In the same saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer the milk until there are bubbles and the milk has not reached a rolling boil.

Simmer the milk so you see visible bubbles but not boiling

4. If you have a milk frother, froth the milk in the saucepan. (Optional)

Be careful of splatters if you use a frother!

5. Pour the milk equally into each mug. If you frothed the milk, using a spoon, scoop the foam equally into each mug.

6. Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg to taste.

Tazo Chai Latte, extra hot, non fat sprinkled with cinnamon.

Variations

• You can also pour equal parts of chai latte concentrate and milk over ice for a cold beverage
• Blend ice, milk and chai latte concentrate for a chai latte frappucino 

TIP

• If you do not have a milk frother, and you want frothed milk follow the steps below. Detailed link can be found at The Kitchn.
1. Pour milk (skim, 1% or 2% works best) into a clean microwavable lidded jar (ie. mason canning jars).
• Do not pour more than halfway full otherwise the milk will not foam
2. Shake the jar until the milk doubles in volume. Remove lid.
3. Microwave the jar (without the lid) for 30 seconds. Pour out desired amount of milk and scoop out foam.

Cost Breakdown for 23 cups (ratio is 1:1)
Chai Tea Latte concentrate (makes about 23 cups for 3 x 946 ml cartons) $6.00
Milk (2.84 litres of milk) $3.20
Cinnamon or nutmeg $0.50

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