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Iced Chai Latte with Matcha Cold Foam (Starbucks Copycat)

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5 from 3 votes

We all have that one Starbucks drink we wish we could make flawlessly at home, and mine is the seasonal Iced Chai Latte with Matcha Cold Foam! This drink has all the best parts of chai and matcha combined. Easy and quick to make an identical version at home, now you can enjoy this beverage any time of year!

Ombre latte fading from green at the top to a light brown at the bottom.
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🌟Why you'll love this recipe

  • 5-minute prep time: This recipe literally takes five minutes. You couldn't even open the Starbucks app and place your order that fast! You'll also love this Starbucks copycat matcha lemonade!
  • Super easy with pre-made chai tea: Using a pre-made chai tea concentrate saves time and guarantees consistent results. You may also love this item from their 2024 Spring menu, Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha Latte.
  • Works with dairy or non-dairy milk: This recipe tastes great with any dairy or non-dairy milk, it's up to you what you like.
  • You control the sweetness: With this recipe, you can sweeten it to your exact preference.
  • Incredible matcha cold foam: Cold foam is just Starbucks' fancy way of saying lightly whipped cream, and you can make a decadent matcha version so easily with an inexpensive milk frother. If you love the cold foam, try my Dalgona Matcha Latte. And be sure to check out all the best matcha drinks.
  • Hand frother or French press: I help you make this recipe with both options, whatever you have on hand in the kitchen.

🧾Ingredients in this recipe

Tea concentrate, matcha, cream, milk, and vanilla simple syrup on a countertop.
  • Matcha powder - Always use culinary-grade matcha powder for latte and milk-based drinks. If you need a matcha recommendation this culinary grade matcha is one of my favorites.
  • TAZO Chai Tea Concentrate - This is an intense brewed black chai tea with great flavor. Note that this concentrate is already sweetened. You can use other brands if you like, but the chai concentrate is the brand that Starbucks uses if you're looking for the closest copycat.
  • Milk - You can use any dairy milk, or nondairy milk such as coconut milk, oat milk, nut milk etc.
  • Heavy whipping cream - This is essential for the matcha cold foam. When whipping cream is whipped, air is incorporated into the cream making air pockets and increasing the volume so it forms a foam.
  • Vanilla simple syrup - This is an optional addition that adds another layer of delicious vanilla flavor to the drink and gives it a little bit of extra sweetness and is an addition you'll find at Starbucks.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

⭐ Homemade Vanilla Simple Syrup ⭐

To make your own vanilla syrup, add 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, and 1.5 tablespoons of vanilla extract to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn the heat off, and let it cool. You can store it in a refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

👩‍🍳 How to Make This Recipe

Sifting matcha powder into a metal measuring cup.
  • Start by pouring your whipping cream, milk, and optional vanilla simple syrup into a tall glass or container. Then, sift in your matcha powder. I like to sift my powder as it produces a smoother result.
A handheld frother frothing liquid in a metal measuring cup.
  • Froth the matcha mixture until the volume just about doubles. Don't let the cream fully whip, or it will become too thick. Set aside until you're ready to pour it over the iced chai latte.

⭐ Pro Tip for French Press ⭐

If you are using a French press instead of a handheld frother, add the whipping cream to the French press, and then sift in the matcha powder. Next, move the plunger up and down 30-40 times until the volume increases.

Pouring milk from a glass into a larger plastic container with tea concentrate.
  • Pour the chai latte concentrate and the milk of your choice into a liquid measuring cup to mix.
Pouring a chai latte into a glass filled with ice.
  • Next, fill your serving glasses with as much ice as you like. Pour the mixed chai latte over the ice.
Pouring matcha foam over an iced chai latte.
  • Finally, pour the matcha cold foam over the iced chai latte mixture. Make sure to do it slowly so that you get that beautiful color gradient. Pop in a straw and enjoy your amazing new drink!

Want to impress your friends with your new expert beverage skills? Try making a London Fog Latte, or hosting an epic tea-tasting date!

📋Recipe FAQs

What is usually in a chai latte?

A chai latte mixes spiced black chai tea with warm, frothy milk. The chai tea part has black tea and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. It can have different kinds of milk, both dairy and non-dairy. Different recipes might also add sugar or honey.

What's the difference between an iced chai and an iced chai latte?

An iced chai will usually be just black chai tea cooled by ice. An iced chai latte includes milk.

Does a chai latte have a lot of caffeine?

Chai tea is black tea, which does have more caffeine than other tea types. However, the caffeine amount can be less than is typically in coffee. It all depends on the exact type of tea you use.

Are chai lattes healthy?

It really depends. Some chai lattes are simple drinks with minimal sweeteners which would be more healthy than chai lattes loaded with sugar and syrups.

What is cold foam at Starbucks?

Starbucks cold foam is cold milk, whipping cream, and flavoring/sweetener that is aerated with a special blender to create a fluffy foam.

Ombre iced latte fading from green at the top to a light brown at the bottom with a black background.

Want to make more fabulous drinks at home? My beverage recipes have got you covered!

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Ombre iced latte fading from green at the top to a light brown at the bottom with a black background.
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5 from 3 votes

Iced Chai Latte with Matcha Cold Foam (Starbucks Copycat)

This 5-minute drink has the best parts of iced chai lattes & matcha! Easy & quick to make, enjoy this copycat Starbucks beverage any time!
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Japanese, Middle-Eastern
Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegetarian
Servings: 2
Calories: 369kcal
Author: Candice Walker

Ingredients

Matcha Cold Foam

  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup milk Starbucks uses 2% dairy milk, but I usually use non-dairy (oat or coconut)
  • 2 teaspoon matcha powder culinary grade
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla simple syrup optional, up to 2 tablespoons depeneding on your sweetness preference

Iced Chai Latte

  • ¾ cup Tazo Chai Latte Concentrate classic or skinny
  • ¾ cup milk Starbucks uses 2% dairy milk, but I usually use non-dairy (oat or coconut)
  • 2 cups ice

Instructions

Matcha Cold Foam

  • If using a handheld frother: Add all the ingredients into a tall glass, sifting in the matcha powder.
    If using a french press: Add all ingredients into a French press, sifting in the matcha powder.
  • If using a handheld frother: Froth until it just about doubles in volume. Don't let the cream fully whip.
    If using a french press: move the plunger up and down 30-40 times until the volume increases.
  • Set aside until ready to pour over the iced chai latte.

Iced Chai Latte

  • Pour the chai latte concentrate and milk in a liquid measuring cup to mix.
  • Fill your serving glasses with ice.
  • Pour the mixed latte over the ice.

Iced Chai Latte with Matcha Cold Foam

  • Pour the matcha cold foam over the iced chai latte.

Video

Notes

To make your own vanilla syrup, simply add 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, and 1.5 tablespoons of vanilla extract to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off, and let cool. Store in a refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
You can add additional simple syrup to the chai latte, but please note that the concentrate is already sweetened. You can use other brands, but the chai concentrate is the brand that Starbucks uses.
Nutrition calculated using Tazo Classic Chai Latte Concentrate. If using skinny or another brand, it will be different.

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 246mg | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1272IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 198mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you try this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and/or comment! And tag @ProportionalPlate on TikTok or Instagram... I'd love to see what you're making.
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  1. Ella

    5 stars
    I'm such a fan of this drink at Starbucks so when I saw this recipe I had to try it. I love the use of the Tazo chai mix, I always have this stuff on hand so making this drink was surprisingly easy. Will definitely be adding this into our weekend drink rotation.

    Reply

    • Candice

      Awww yay! So glad you enjoyed it and found it as easy as I hoped... Thank you for taking the time to share!

      Reply