Description
This cozy Apple Chai Latte combines warming chai spices with sweet apple juice and creamy milk for a comforting and flavorful beverage. Perfect for chilly days, this homemade latte is lightly sweetened and can be topped with whipped cream and garnished with apple slices or cinnamon sticks to enhance the autumn vibe.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Base
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Tea and Spices
- 2 chai tea bags
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Sweeteners and Flavorings
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnishes (Optional)
- Whipped cream (optional, for serving)
- Apple slices or cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat Liquids: In a small saucepan, combine the apple juice and milk. Heat over medium heat until the mixture is steaming but not boiling, preparing a warm base for your latte.
- Steep Tea: Add the chai tea bags to the saucepan, cover, and let steep for about 5 minutes to infuse the apple milk with rich chai flavors.
- Remove Tea Bags: Carefully remove and discard the tea bags to avoid over-steeping and bitterness.
- Add Sweeteners and Spices: Stir in the honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, blending these spices thoroughly for a balanced flavor profile.
- Heat Further: Continue heating the mixture for another 2-3 minutes, keeping it steaming to meld the flavors, but avoid boiling to preserve the milk’s texture.
- Froth the Latte: Use a frother or whisk to gently froth the latte to your desired consistency, adding a creamy texture.
- Serve and Garnish: Pour the Apple Chai Latte into mugs. If desired, top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices or a cinnamon stick for a decorative and flavorful finish.
Notes
- For a vegan or dairy-free version, use almond, oat, or soy milk.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey or maple syrup to taste.
- Steep the tea bags carefully to avoid bitterness from over-extraction.
- Use fresh ground spices for the best flavor impact.
- Frothing is optional but adds a lovely creamy texture to the latte.
