Some days call for an aromatic, spice-laden tea, while others ask for a caffeinated kick-start with a creamy cup of latte. But how about combining the two for a special treat?   They call it a dirty chai tea latte, and it is one heavenly tasting blend of tea and latte. It is a symphony of aromatic spiced tea and rich espresso.

What is a Dirty Chai

Also known as dirty chai latte or dirty chai tea latte, it is a blend of spice-based black tea concentrate and an espresso-based latte with single or double shot espresso along with steamed milk. It is different from a typical chai as it also has espresso from a regular latte.

What makes a dirty chai dirty?

It was in the 1990s when an English barista unintentionally ‘dirtied’ a regular chai latte with a shot of espresso, and the dirty chai was born, combining two of the most popular beverages to get what we call today a dirty chai latte. Hence, it is a latte-cum-tea with aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper.

What does a Dirty Chai Taste Like

Since it has a blend of both black tea and espresso, it has a strong and subtly bitter taste, cherished by those who would like to get an energy boost in the morning. Besides, the aroma of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper makes it a heavenly beverage that not only tastes good but also smells good.

Chai vs Dirty Chai

A regular chai or chai latte is made using black tea concentrate and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper and adding steamed milk. Dirty chai latte is made simply by adding a shot or two of espresso to the regular chai latte.

Dirty Chai Calories Count

Its calorie count is usually low to medium, depending on how you’d like it. A typical 16-oz Starbucks dirty chai calories count is 240. The calorie count can be reduced by avoiding added sweeteners and the milk ratio.

Dirty Chai Caffeine

As compared to a regular chai latte, which has just 40 to 70 mg of caffeine content, it has around 150 to 160 mg of caffeine because, unlike chai, it has an added shot of espresso. Hence, it is certainly stronger than a regular chai latte.

While its traditional version is an enjoyable beverage among coffee and tea lovers, it has quite a few very popular variations. Some of the most popular types are as follows. We recommend the 2nd one for a flavorful yet strong experience. Try the first one as our baristas’ recommended variation to beat the dirty heat in hot summers.

1. Iced Dirty Chai Latte

This is by far the most preferred dirty chai variation. It contains black tea concentrate, milk, spices, and strongly brewed iced coffee, along with ice. You can further add a sweetener or a flavorful syrup of your choice to make it ‘your cup of tea’.

2. Dirty vanilla chai latte

Dirty vanilla chai cold brew is one of the most aromatic, smooth, strong, and yet enjoyably flavorful variations. If you aren’t a fan of a predominantly bitter-tasting cup, a bit of added vanilla to a cup laden with cinnamon and cloves will give a creamy and subtle sweet taste. Hence, you can have a palatable taste without compromising the strength. And who doesn’t like the aroma of vanilla complementing the rich, aromatic spices!

3. Dirty Pumpkin Chai Latte

What’s fall without a pumpkin? Up your taste game by making your cup using a pumpkin chai concentrate. Or else you can even use canned pumpkin, and you will certainly ‘fall’ in love with the resulting flavorful blend.

4. Dirty Chai Honey Latte

Adding a bit of honey in place of other artificial sweeteners will not only mask the bitter taste of your chai but also make it a healthier variation.

How to Make a Dirty Chai at Home

With a handful of spices of your choice and a few other ingredients every chai lover has at home, you can perfectly imitate a Starbucks dirty chai recipe at home or make it even better by giving it your personal touch. Skip the long queues, stay in your comfort zone, just get a bit dirty in the kitchen, and you can have a perfect chai-cum coffee packed with just the perfect dose of caffeine to start your day on a spicy, fragrant note.

Ingredients

  • Single shot of espresso
  • Milk
  • Black tea concentrate or tea bags
  • Sweetener
  • Spices of your choice, e.g., cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and cloves.
  • A milk frother

Dirty Chai Latte Recipe

  • Make your masala tea by simmering the spices in water. Don’t add milk yet, as we need to foam it to give your drink a latte look.
  • Add a shot of espresso and a sweetener of your choice.
  • Froth milk using a frother or whisk it until you get a nice foam.
  • Add this milk to your chai and espresso milk.
  • Garnish with a star anise and enjoy an aromatic boost for the day.

Dirty Chai Earthquake Cookies

These cookies are made using ground espresso, powdered milk, spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and vanilla extract, along with brown sugar. They make a perfect snack to complement your cup of dirty chai latte.

Get a bit dirtier and enjoy your cup with earthquake cookies. You won’t regret the filthy result. And here is a tip: if you want to make it taste even better, dunk your earthquake cookies in your chai; it might dirty your chai a bit more, but it is worth it.

Dirty chai + dirty chai earthquake cookies = An absolutely filthy treat

Feeling adventurous with your coffee ventures? Try something new everyday, checkout what’s brewing today!

FAQs

  1. what is dirty chai?

It is a chai latte with added espresso shot i.e. it contains black tea, milk, and spices like a regular chai latte, plus single or double shot espresso.

  • What’s in a dirty chai latte?

It is typically made with black tea concentrate, milk, spices, and a shot or two of espresso. Spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and black pepper can be added.

  • Is Dirty chai healthy?

It is not very high in calories. A 16-oz serving has 240 calories and around 150 to 160 mg of caffeine. Besides, it has numerous beneficial antioxidants known for enhancing immunity.

  • Does a dirty chai have caffeine?

Yes, it typically contains 150 mg to 160 mg caffeine with a single shot espresso, which is higher than a regular chai caffeine count of 40 to 70 mg.