Name: Starbuck's Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Chai Latte: A Fantastic, Easy Copy-Cat Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 Tazo Chai Organic (black tea) bags, (see shopping tips); 1½ cups boiling water; ⅔ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, non-fat milk, reduced-fat milk (or your desired milk, see shopping tips); 1 package Truvia (stevia) (or your favorite sweetener); Dash of ground cinnamon for topping

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For quite some time now, I’ve received numerous requests for me to recreate this yummy drink. Happily, here it is and it’s so simple and so good! If you’re not familiar with Starbucks Chai Latte, it’s black tea infused with wonderful spiced flavors like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. I think you’ll love my healthy home version. I made it sugar-free and dairy-free by using unsweetened vanilla almond milk and Truvia (stevia) to sweeten it. I based my Skinny Facts that way. It’s so versatile you can use non-fat or reduced-fat milk and add your favorite sweetener, such as honey. Each Skinny Chai Latte (sugar-free, dairy-free) has only 31 calories and 2 grams of fat.

Starbucks Chai Latte Made Sugar-free and Dairy-free

Why You'll Love My Starbuck's Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Chai Latte

Craving a cozy, comforting chai latte without the sugar or dairy? Look no further than this easy-to-make copycat Starbucks Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Chai Latte. This recipe allows you to indulge in the rich, spiced flavors of a traditional chai latte without compromising your health goals. Made with simple, accessible ingredients and customizable to your taste preferences, this homemade chai latte is a fantastic alternative to the store-bought version. Enjoy a warm, satisfying beverage that's perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients for Starbuck's Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Chai Latte

Tea

Tazo Chai Organic Black Tea: A carefully curated blend of black tea with a variety of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger. This tea serves as the cornerstone of the chai latte, providing a rich, flavorful base. The combination of black tea with these aromatic spices creates a harmonious and complex flavor profile that is characteristic of chai lattes.

Liquids

Boiling Water: Essential for steeping the tea bags and extracting the full flavor of the tea. The high temperature of boiling water ensures that the tea leaves release their natural oils and compounds, resulting in a robust and flavorful brew.
Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: A dairy-free alternative that adds a creamy texture and a subtle vanilla flavor to the latte. This milk option is perfect for those who are lactose intolerant or prefer a plant-based beverage. Other popular choices include non-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, or your preferred milk.

Sweetener

Truvia: A natural sweetener derived from stevia leaves. It provides sweetness without added calories or artificial ingredients, making it a healthier option compared to traditional sweeteners like sugar. Truvia's subtle sweetness and clean taste make it a popular choice for those looking to reduce their sugar intake. Other popular sweeteners include honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar, which offer different flavor profiles and levels of sweetness.

Topping

Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy flavor and a touch of sweetness to the finished latte. Cinnamon is also known for its potential health benefits, including regulating blood sugar levels and aiding digestion. The addition of ground cinnamon to the top of the latte creates a visually appealing presentation and enhances the overall sensory experience.

How to Make My Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Chai Latte

Ingredients:

Tea: Tazo Chai Organic Black Tea bags
Liquid: Boiling water, unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or your preferred milk)
Sweetener: Truvia (or your favorite sweetener)
Topping: Ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Steep the Tea: Begin by steeping 2 Tazo Chai Organic Black Tea bags in a 16 oz mug with boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to fully infuse into the liquid. This step is crucial for extracting the rich, complex flavors of the chai tea blend.
Warm the Milk: While the tea is steeping, warm the unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or your preferred milk) in the microwave or on the stovetop. The warm milk will provide a creamy and comforting texture to the latte.
Create the Base: Once the tea has steeped, add 2 tablespoons of the warmed milk to the mug. Stir to combine. This step helps to dilute the strong tea flavor and create a more balanced taste.
Sweeten (Optional): Add 1 package of Truvia (or your favorite sweetener) to the tea mixture, if desired. Stir to dissolve the sweetener completely. This step allows you to customize the sweetness of the latte to your preference.
Froth the Milk: For a frothy top layer, use a hand frother to whip the remaining milk until it becomes fluffy and airy. If you don't have a hand frother, you can achieve a similar effect by blending the milk in a blender on high for about 30 seconds. The frothy milk adds a luxurious texture and visual appeal to the latte.
Assemble the Latte: Pour the frothed milk on top of the tea mixture. The frothy milk will create a beautiful contrast and provide a creamy, indulgent experience.
Finish with Cinnamon: Top the latte with a dash of ground cinnamon for a warm, spicy flavor and a touch of sweetness. The cinnamon also adds a visually appealing element to the finished latte.

Additional Tips:

Experiment with Milk: Try different types of milk to find your favorite flavor and texture. Almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk are all popular dairy-free options.
Spice it Up: For a more intense chai flavor, add additional spices like cardamom, cloves, or ginger to the tea bags before steeping.
Make it Iced: To enjoy a refreshing iced chai latte, brew the tea with cold water and add ice to the finished drink.
Batch Brew: For a faster and more convenient option, brew a larger batch of chai tea and store it in the refrigerator. When ready, simply combine the chilled tea with your preferred milk and sweetener.

By following these instructions and incorporating the additional tips, you can create a delicious and customizable Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Chai Latte that is perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this healthy and satisfying beverage and indulge in the comforting flavors of a traditional chai latte without the guilt.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 1 Skinny Chai Latte (16 ounces)

Food Facts
Most people don’t know this but to say chai tea is redundant…as chai literally means “tea”

Prep Tips
If you don’t own a hand held electric milk frother, no worries. See the shopping tips below. Or add warmed milk to a blender. Blend on high for about 30 seconds. An electric milk frother is much better than a blender but the blender will make your milk a bit frothy.

Shopping Tips
My favorite brand of black tea to make this latte is Tazo Chai Organic It’s sold in most supermarkets and Target. It’s best to use 2 tea bags to make it a stronger brew. If you can’t find this brand there are others such as Stash Chai Spice Black Tea.

I used Blue Diamond unsweetened vanilla, almond coconut milk. Most supermarkets sell it in the refrigerated section where other milk is sold.

I suggest you buy an inexpensive handheld electric milk frother. I use mine all the time. Not just for this latte but for all my coffee lattes. There are many brands to buy at Amazon, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and such. I bought mine on Amazon. It cost only $8.99. Here’s the link to the Bonsenkitchen Electric Milk Frother, Automatic Milk Foam Maker. https://amzn.to/2KTfPah

WW Freestyle SmartPoints 1–Blue
WW SmartPoints 1– Green

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 Chai Latte (sugar-free, dairy-free)(16 oz)
31 calories, 2g fat, 1g sat. fat, 0mg chol, 1g protein, 1g carbs, 0g fiber, 79mg sod, 0 sugar

FACTS: for Starbucks Chai Latte w/ nonfat milk (16 oz)
240 calories, 4.5g fat, 2g sat. fat, 20mg chol, 8g prot, 45g carbs, 0g fiber, 115mg sod, 42g sugar