If there’s one drink that screams holiday coziness, it’s a gingerbread chai latte. The warm chai spices paired with gingerbread’s sweet, spiced richness create a match made in festive heaven. Plus, the added gingerbread sweet cream on top makes it so deliciously creamy.

This drink is so easy to make and only requires 3 ingredients at a minimum. And the best part? You don’t need a Starbucks run to enjoy it.

Here’s how to make a scrumptious gingerbread chai latte at home!

What is a Gingerbread Chai Latte?

A gingerbread chai latte is the perfect mashup of two popular holiday flavors: spicy gingerbread and warm, spiced chai. It’s a creamy, cozy drink that warms you right up, blending classic masala (or spices) like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves with the rich molasses and ginger kick of the gingerbread syrup.

This drink might sound familiar if you’re a Starbucks fan. The gingerbread chai latte was once a seasonal favorite on their menu, but it was discontinued in 2018. The good news? You can easily recreate it at home! You can enjoy this festive drink anytime- without waiting in line by making your own gingerbread syrup and using your favorite chai concentrate.

Last year, Starbucks brought back gingerbread syrup with the Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai, but some people say it doesn’t taste the same…

What’s in a Gingerbread Chai Latte?

This gingerbread chai latte combines a chai concentrate, homemade gingerbread syrup (or store-bought, if you’re short on time), steamed milk, and optional toppings like whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon. It’s creamy, cozy, and full of holiday vibes.

You can also customize it based on your preferences. Do you love a frothy top? Add some frothed milk or whipped cream (like this recipe does). Want a caffeine kick? Add a shot of espresso to make it a dirty chai. You can use any milk you like, dairy or plant-based, but I recommend using milk with some fat for extra creamy goodness. My favorite non-dairy milk for this drink is oat milk!

It’s a great option for a holiday treat at home or for impressing guests. Once all the components are ready, it’s surprisingly easy to prepare.

What Does a Gingerbread Chai Latte Taste Like?

A gingerbread chai latte is the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. Chai and gingerbread have similar spice and flavor profiles, so there’s a lot of flavor overlap. However, they’re just different enough to create a unique taste.

You get the fragrant chai spice blend upfront, followed by a smoky, earthy, and rich molasses flavor from the gingerbread syrup. The extra ginger makes the drink taste more like a blend of gingerbread chai rather than chai with a hint of molasses.

If you’re a fan of chai lattes and love gingerbread cookies, this drink is going to be your new favorite holiday treat.

What is Chai?

Chai, which means “tea” in Hindi, is a spiced tea blend from India. Traditionally called masala chai, this drink combines black tea with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, all simmered with milk and sugar. It’s been enjoyed for centuries in Indian households, and every family has its secret and loved chai recipe.

Because many love chai for its flavor and comfort, it’s popular worldwide. Today, cafes and coffee shops offer all variations of chai, from chai lattes to chai desserts. Sometimes, you’ll see it labeled as chai tea (which means tea tea), but the heart of it remains in its traditional preparation.

What Chai to Use

You can’t go wrong with a strong, flavorful chai concentrate for a gingerbread chai latte. The concentrate allows you to skip the steeping process and jump straight to making your delicious gingerbread chai latte. Some popular and easy-to-find options are Tazo Chai, Oregon Chai, or Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai. My personal favorite is Kimbala chai.

If you prefer to make your chai from scratch, you’ll need black tea and a good mix of chai spices. You can use your favorite chai recipe and use less water to make a chai concentrate.

Please note the amount of sugar in the chai concentrate you use, as you will add more sugar from the gingerbread syrup.

Where to Get Chai Concentrate

Chai concentrate is widely available in grocery stores and online. Most stores carry Tazo or Oregon Chai in the tea aisle, usually near the coffee creamers or boxed teas. If you shop at Trader Joe’s, their Spiced Chai concentrate is a favorite and tends to be slightly less sweet than other brands.

You can also look for chai concentrate at local coffee shops or specialty tea stores. And if you want more control over the sweetness and spice level, there are recipes online to make your own concentrate at home using black tea and spices.

How to Make Gingerbread Syrup

Gingerbread syrup is incredibly easy to make and will be your go-to for all kinds of holiday drinks. You’ll need:

• Molasses
• Brown sugar
• Water
• A mix of gingerbread spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. (You can also use pumpkin spice and add extra ground cinnamon and ginger.)

Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together. Let it cool, then store it in a jar in the fridge. This syrup is versatile—you can use it in lattes, drizzle it over pancakes, or even mix it into holiday cocktails.

How to Make a Gingerbread Chai Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make a gingerbread chai latte at home:

• 1/2 tbsp gingerbread syrup
• 1/4 cup chai concentrate
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Gingerbread Chai Latte Recipe

1. Make gingerbread syrup. Make or buy gingerbread syrup. You can make a homemade gingerbread syrup using my gingerbread syrup recipe!
2. Make sweet cream. Whip heavy cream and a 1/2 tbsp of gingerbread syrup using a handheld frother or whisk until soft and fluffy. It should still be pourable.
3. Assemble drink. Add ice, chai concentrate, and milk into a cup and mix until dissolved. Then, top with your gingerbread cream top. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
4. Mix and enjoy!

Starbucks Copycat Gingerbread Chai

This recipe is the perfect substitute for Starbucks’ gingerbread chai latte. Starbucks used to offer this drink as part of its seasonal menu, but apparently, its new drink does not have the same gingerbread flavor.

Here’s what goes into a grande cold Starbucks Gingerbread Chai (from Reddit):

• 4 pumps chai
• Oat milk
• Ice
• Oat froth with 2 pumps of gingerbread
• Pumpkin spice

The Starbucks version has much more sugar than my recipe, which aims to balance spice and sweetness. Plus, you’ll save money and skip the long lines. Trust me, it’s just as good, if not better, than the Starbucks version!

Tips

Here are some tips for making a delicious gingerbread chai latte at home!

• Use the Right Chai Concentrate: Opt for a chai concentrate with a balanced mix of spices for the best flavors. Brands like Tazo or Oregon Chai are great starting points, but feel free to experiment with homemade or small-batch chai concentrate if you prefer a stronger, more customizable flavor.
• Adjust Sweetness: Not everyone likes their latte overly sweet. Start with a small amount of gingerbread syrup and add more if needed—you can always add more, but you can’t remove it!
• Make it Caffeine-Free: Use a decaf chai concentrate or caffeine-free herbal chai tea for a cozy evening drink that won’t keep you up at night.