A dirty chai latte is a chai latte with a shot of espresso added. You get the warming spice of chai with a coffee kick underneath, and it’s easy to make at home.

Here’s our recipe, starting with a homemade chai spice mix you can keep in the cupboard for weeks of drinks.

Key takeaways

• ‘Dirty’ means a shot of espresso has been added to a chai latte.
• Our chai spice mix makes enough for about 20 drinks, so you only need to make it occasionally.
• Use 18g of finely ground coffee for a double shot of espresso.
• You don’t need an espresso machine. An AeroPress or stovetop pot works well.
• Skip the espresso for a classic chai latte, or pour everything over ice for an iced dirty chai.

What is a dirty chai latte?

A dirty chai latte is a spiced chai latte with a shot of espresso poured in. The ‘dirty’ part is the coffee, which turns a cosy chai latte into something with more of a kick.

Masala chai is a spiced tea from India, usually made with black tea, milk, sugar and warming spices such as cardamom and ginger. When baristas later added espresso, the dirty chai became a coffee-shop staple.

How do you make chai spice mix?

Mix the ground spices below in a bowl, then store them in an airtight jar. You’ll use 1 tsp per drink, so this batch makes enough for about 20 dirty chais. Ground spices lose their flavour over time, so try to use it within a few months.

Chai spice mix ingredients

• 3 tbsp ground cinnamon.
• 2 tbsp ground ginger.
• 1 tbsp ground cardamom.
• ½ tsp ground black pepper.
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg.
• ½ tsp ground cloves.
• ¼ tsp ground fennel seed.

How do you make a dirty chai latte?

Pour spiced black tea over a double shot of espresso, then top it with frothed hot milk.

Serves: one large mug.

Time: ten minutes.

Equipment

• A small saucepan.
• A fine mesh sieve.
• An espresso machine, AeroPress or stovetop pot.
• A whisk or handheld milk frother.

Dirty chai ingredients

• 240ml water.
• One strong black tea bag, such as Assam or English breakfast.
• 1 tsp chai spice mix, plus a pinch to finish.
• 18g finely ground Fruit & Nut Espresso, for a double shot.
• 120ml milk of your choice.
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional).
• One star anise, to decorate (optional).

Method

1. Put the water, tea bag and 1 tsp of chai spice mix in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil over a medium heat.
2. Take the pan off the heat and leave the tea to steep for three to five minutes.
3. While it steeps, brew a double shot of espresso straight into your mug.
4. Pour the chai through a fine mesh sieve into the mug.
5. Rinse the pan, then add the milk and maple syrup. Warm over a medium heat until small bubbles form around the edge, but don’t let it simmer. That’s about 65°C if you have a thermometer.
6. Take the milk off the heat and froth it with a whisk or handheld frother. Leave it to settle for 30 seconds.
7. Pour the milk into the mug, then sprinkle over a pinch of chai spice mix and add the star anise.

How do you make a chai latte?

A chai latte is the same drink without the espresso. Follow the method above but skip step 3. For a stronger tea flavour, use two tea bags and let them steep for the full five minutes.

Can you make an iced dirty chai?

Yes. Brew a stronger chai and cool it before pouring it over ice with cold milk.

1. Bring 120ml water to the boil with one tea bag and 1 tsp of chai spice mix, then steep for five minutes.
2. Strain the chai and leave it to cool. Stir in the maple syrup while it’s still warm, if you’re using it.
3. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in the cooled chai.
4. Add a double shot of espresso, then top up with 120ml cold milk and stir.

For more cold coffee ideas, try our iced coffee recipes for every brew tool or an espresso and tonic.

Can you make a dirty chai without an espresso machine?

Yes. You need a small amount of strong, concentrated coffee, and there are two easy ways to make it at home.

• AeroPress. Use 18g of finely ground coffee with a small amount of water and a short brew to make an espresso-style shot. Our AeroPress guide has the details.
• Stovetop pot. A moka pot makes strong, rich coffee that’s the closest home match to espresso. See our stovetop brew guide.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a dirty chai and a chai latte?

The espresso. A chai latte is spiced black tea with steamed milk. A dirty chai is the same drink with a shot of espresso added.

Does a dirty chai have more caffeine than a chai latte?

Yes. Black tea and espresso both contain caffeine, so adding a shot of espresso gives a dirty chai more caffeine than a regular chai latte.

Can you make a decaf dirty chai?

Yes. Use decaf espresso and a decaf black tea bag. Our Rich Christmas Decaf works well over the festive season.

What’s the best milk for a dirty chai?

Whole milk froths easily and gives a rich, creamy drink. If you prefer plant milk, barista versions are made to froth well, and oat milk pairs nicely with the spices.

Can you use chai tea bags instead of the spice mix?

Yes. Swap the black tea bag and spice mix for one chai tea bag. The flavour will usually be milder than our homemade blend.

Find your espresso

A good dirty chai starts with fresh coffee. We use Fruit & Nut Espresso, and you can browse all our espresso coffees to find your favourite.