Two Easy Ways to Make a Chai Latte with Almond Milk at Home

Chai latte with almond milk is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. This simple recipe shows you how to make a chai latte at home using either a stovetop or an espresso machine.

One weekend morning, I decided to surprise my wife with a homemade chai latte with almond milk. I wanted to keep it simple—just the milk and our spice mix, no need for fancy syrups or sweeteners.

The question was deciding how to make it. Should I go the traditional route and simmer it on the stovetop, or should I try something new with our espresso machine?

So, I did what any good husband would do—I tried both.

The stovetop version brought out the spices beautifully, creating a rich and warming drink. The espresso machine, on the other hand, gave it a frothy finish that felt a little more like what you’d get at a café.

We ended up loving both versions and now, they have become a regular part of our weekend routine.

Regardless of the method, our chai latte with almond milk needs only three ingredients, plus a few options

• Almond milk
• Homemade chai spice mix
• Black tea bag
• Sugar or maple syrup (optional)

Why almond milk

Almond milk is our favorite dairy-free alternative. It’s also perfect for lactose intolerant or vegans. Made from ground almonds and water, it has a naturally nutty flavor that complements many recipes, including chai lattes.

Almond milk comes in several varieties, each with its own characteristics.

• Unsweetened: free of added sugars
• Original: typically has a slight sweetness from sugar or sugar alternatives and is often fortified with vitamins and minerals
• Organic: is made from organically grown almonds and is free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, may be unsweetened, original or even flavored.
• Flavored: We have seen vanilla, chocolate, and even strawberry. These add an extra layer of taste to drinks and recipes, and nearly always contain sugar.

How to make a chai latte on the stovetop

When I’m in the mood for a cozy, warming traditional chai latte, the stovetop method is my go-to. It’s straightforward and really lets the flavors of the spice mix shine through.

First, I pour the almond milk into a small saucepan and add our spice mix. While I give it a good stir, it still looks like it is unmixed. At this point, if I’m making it for myself, I might add a touch of sugar, but when I’m making it for my wife, I skip the sugar—she prefers her chai latte as is.

Next, I set the saucepan over medium heat. The key here is to be patient. I never bring the milk to a full boil. Instead, I let it gently heat up until it’s just starting to steam.

Once it reaches that point, I turn the heat down to low and let it simmer. This simmering time allows the spices to infuse into the milk, creating a rich, flavorful chai latte.

After 10 minutes, our vegan chai latte recipe is ready to serve. I pour it into our favorite mugs and give it a final stir before handing it over.

Making a chai latte with espresso machine

I know, technically, chai means tea, but to be honest, sometimes, when I am in a hurry and just want the flavors I have come to love as “chai,” I quickly use my espresso machine to whip up a chai-flavored frothy treat.

The result is a quick and easy chai latte with a light, airy texture that my wife and I both love.

To start, I pour the almond milk into the steaming pitcher and add a ½ spoonful of our chai latte spice mix. Again, depending on who I’m making it for, I might add a touch of sugar to the milk before steaming.

I like to give it a quick stir to ensure the spices are evenly distributed before steaming.

Next, I place the pitcher under the steam wand and begin frothing the milk. The steam helps to heat the milk while also infusing the spices, creating a beautifully frothy chai latte. Unlike with the stovetop method, there’s no need to simmer here—the steam does all the work in just a few minutes.

If I want to be a bit more traditional, at this point, I will add a tea bag to the hot drink, and within two minutes, I will have that added tea flavor (but really, if I was going to do this, I would have used the stovetop method).

Once the milk is frothy and heated through, I pour it into our mugs and enjoy.

Serving suggestions

A chai latte with almond milk is versatile enough to enjoy any time of day, and it pairs wonderfully with a variety of treats. We often enjoy it for afternoon tea alongside:

1. Banana walnut muffins
   See our favorite muffin recipes here: carrot cake, zucchini-cinnamon swirl, or banana
2. Homemade gingernut cookies
   While these homemade ginger cookies are great on their own, dipping them into a chai latte with almond milk makes them soft and delicious.
3. Slice of cake
   While any cake will do, I especially like our easy chai latte recipe with a slice of decadent flourless chocolate cake.
4. Piece of dark chocolate
   A simple indulgence, when I can find gluten and dairy-free chocolate.
5. Pancakes
   For a weekend brunch treat, enjoy your chai latte with a stack of gluten-free pancakes.

Some readers have asked . . .

Our easy chai latte recipe

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Will you try this chai latte with almond milk?

You might also like these dairy-free options. . .