How to Make Tea Lattes

Learn how to craft a perfect Tea Latte with these simple instructions! Whether you’re craving the spicy warmth of a chai tea latte or the subtly sweet and floral notes of a London Fog drink, this post gives you plenty of inspiration for making cozy tea lattes at home!

This post is sponsored by the American Dairy Association Mideast. As always, all opinions are my own.

Your life begins when you learn to make tea lattes at home.

No more schlepping to the coffee shop to get your fix. No more waiting in the neverending line at Starbucks. No more having to put on pants just for a latte.

When my body decided to betray me and reject coffee after I had children (yes, I’m still bitter about it), I became something of a tea latte connoisseur.

I started ordering tea lattes because I missed cradling a warm cup in my hand, and, let’s be honest, I needed the comfort and energy boost with a newborn around.

Just a few sips of Starbucks’ London Fog Latte was all I needed to forget about coffee. Milky, foamy, and sweet, with hints of vanilla and lavender–what else could you want from a drink?

Soon I was whipping up frothy tea lattes at home with everything from chai to matcha to chamomile.

Today, I’m here to share what I’ve learned and help you craft the best tea lattes all winter long. Whether you’re already a tea lover, or just want to try something new, these are a must try!

Basic Tea Latte Recipe

A basic tea latte is made with just 4 ingredients:

• ¾ cup water
• 1-2 tea bags or 1-2 teaspoons loose leaf tea
• ⅓ cup milk
• 1-2 teaspoons sweetener or simple syrup (optional)

This formula can be used to make dozens of different kinds of tea lattes and tweaked based on your individual preferences.

How to Make Tea Lattes

1. Bring the water to a boil. Pour the water over the tea and brew for the recommended brewing time.
2. Meanwhile, steam the milk on the stove top or in the microwave. The milk is ready when tiny bubbles appear around the outer edge of the pan or when it is fragrant and steaming, but not boiling.
3. Froth the milk using a milk frother, until tripled in size.
4. Discard the tea bags and sweeten the tea to taste. Add the milk, holding back the froth. Spoon however much froth you desire over the tea and serve.

Tips + Tools for the Best Tea Latte

• Use filtered water for the best flavored tea.
• Adjust the amount of tea based on how strong you like your latte. For teas like chai, I use two tea bags, because I really want the spices to be able to hold up to the milk.
• Use whole or 2% milk for the creamiest, richest flavor. Dairy’s unique texture and nutrient package is hard to replace. It froths beautifully, has a lovely creamy texture that blends effortlessly into drinks, AND contains a nutrient trio of calcium, potassium, and vitamin A.
• Using a milk frother is the quickest + most effective way to make billowy piles of frothed milk. We use the attached frother on our Ninja Coffee Maker, but a cheap standalone frother works just as well.
• To froth milk without a frother, place cold milk in a large, microwave safe jar and shake vigorously until it has doubled in size. This will take at least a minute, so be patient. Remove the lid from the jar and place it in the microwave. Microwave for about 1 minute, or until steamed, keeping an eye on the foam to make sure it doesn’t overflow.
• Experiment with sweeteners! You can’t go wrong with granulated sugar, but honey, maple syrup, or simple syrups like cinnamon or mint are also great options. I find certain teas pair better with certain sweeteners. I’ve included my favorite pairings below.
• Top it off– A sprinkling of raw sugar, grated cinnamon, or grated nutmeg really dress up a tea latte.

Favorite Tea Latte Recipes

The possibilities for homemade tea lattes are truly endless, and it’s easy to swap decaf tea if you’re looking for a night-time soother. A decaf London Fog Tea Latte or an herbal Chamomile Latte is one of my favorite ways to wind down after a long day.

• London Fog Tea Latte– 3/4 cup brewed Earl Grey Tea + 2 teaspoons Lavender Syrup + 1/3 cup steamed and frothed milk
• Chai Tea Latte– 2 Chai Tea Bags brewed in 3/4 cup water + 2 teaspoons honey + 1/3 cup steamed and frothed milk + sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also substitute the tea bags and sweetener with 3/4 cup Chai Tea Concentrate.
• Vanilla Caramel Tea Latte– 3/4 cup brewed Vanilla Caramel Tea + 2 teaspoons Vanilla Simple Syrup + 1/3 cup steamed and frothed milk + sprinkle of demerara sugar on top
• Chamomile Tea Latte– 1 chamomile tea bag steeped in 1 cup steamed oat milk + 2 teaspoons honey + sprinkle of cinnamon
• Matcha Tea Latte

What’s the difference? Milk vs. Milk Alternatives

• Although milk and plant-based beverages sit side-by-side in the dairy case, non-dairy alternatives often do not provide the same nutrient profile as cow’s milk. Additionally, white cow’s milk always has the same three ingredients (milk, vitamin A and vitamin D) no matter what brand you choose or where you purchase it.
• You’ve probably noticed several different kinds of dairy milk popping up at your local grocery store, including labels like A2, ultra-filtered, ultra-pasteurized, organic, or lactose-free. Learn more about the differences here, find what’s right for you, and be assured all dairy milks are nutritious and responsibly produced.

For more information about dairy nutrition, to find delicious new recipes and to meet Ohio and West Virginia dairy farmers, visit www.Drink-MIlk.com, and follow the American Dairy Association Mideast on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.