Description
The Iced Cherry Chai Latte is a refreshing summer beverage that perfectly blends warm chai spices with juicy cherry flavor, served chilled for a bold, fruity, and smooth drink with a subtle kick of spice. Ideal for a relaxing afternoon or an energizing pick-me-up, this vegan-friendly latte uses simple ingredients and offers customizable sweetness and spice levels.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 2 spiced chai tea bags
- 2 cups hot water
Cherry Mixture
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp sweetener of choice (maple syrup, honey, or simple syrup), adjust to taste
Latte
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups milk or plant-based milk (almond, oat, soy, cow’s milk)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Ice cubes as needed
Instructions
- Step 1: Brew the Chai Tea – Begin by steeping your chai tea bags in 2 cups of hot water for 5 to 7 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger and spicier the tea base will be. Avoid over steeping to prevent bitterness.
- Step 2: Prepare the Cherry Mixture – While the tea brews, gently simmer 1 cup of fresh or frozen cherries with 1/4 cup water and 2 tablespoons of your chosen sweetener in a small saucepan. Cook until the cherries soften and release their juices, creating a vibrant cherry syrup, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Step 3: Combine and Cool – Strain the brewed chai tea bags out and mix the tea with the warm cherry syrup. Stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cold milk or plant-based milk and add vanilla extract if using. Refrigerate the mixture until thoroughly chilled, at least 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Serve Over Ice – Fill a glass with plenty of ice cubes and pour the chilled Iced Cherry Chai Latte over the ice. Stir gently before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh cherries or a cinnamon stick.
Notes
- Steep tea longer for more intense chai flavor but avoid bitterness.
- Use tart cherries to balance sweetness and enhance cherry flavor.
- Add sweetener gradually to suit your preferred level of sweetness.
- Make the tea and cherry syrup base ahead of time for quicker preparation.
- Shake the latte in a cocktail shaker before serving for a frothier texture.
- For a dairy-free version, swap milk with coconut or soy milk.
- Cherry syrup can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated.
- Store leftover latte in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Freeze cherry syrup separately; avoid freezing the full latte to maintain texture.
- Reheat gently if a warm chai latte is desired, avoiding boiling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Simmering and Brewing
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Iced Cherry Chai Latte, iced chai latte, cherry chai, vegan iced latte, summer drinks, dairy-free chai, refreshing beverage