If you’ve ever sipped a chai latte and begin to think, “this could use a little extra something,” and then adding vanilla might be your new favorite trick. A vanilla chai latte is just chai tea spiced and blended with milk and finished with the sweetness of vanilla. It’s comforting, and for sure feels like a hug in a mug.
What is Vanilla Chai Latte Made of?
A vanilla chai latte is made of three ingredients: milk, vanilla, and chai tea. But the real magic is about how you make these layers come together in a cup. The spices give warmth, the milk makes it creamy, and the vanilla brings everything into one sweet drink.
When we brew this at home, we usually start with a strong black tea base. Loose-leaf chai is great, but tea bags do the job too. The milk can be dairy or plant-based, almond and oat milk both foam beautifully. For vanilla, you can use extract, syrup, or even real vanilla bean if you want to go fancy.
Our barista recommends: if you’re using vanilla extract, add it right at the end so the flavor doesn’t get lost in the heat.
Is Chai Latte with Vanilla Good?
Yes, it’s actually not just good but perfect, balancing spice with smoothness. The vanilla in vanilla chai latte softens the chai spices, so rather than feeling too peppery, you get a balanced and dessert-like finish without a heavy feeling.
We’ve made countless chai lattes over the years, and the addition of vanilla is always the one that gets people asking, “what’s in this?” It makes the taste of the drink fuller and more indulgent when normal chai feels a little too heavy or strong. Vanilla is the perfect way to balance it out.
What Is the Difference Between Chai Latte and Vanilla Chai Latte?
The difference between vanilla chai latte and chai latte is simply vanilla. Chai latte has a very rich and bold flavor with the spices so the vanilla adds a creamy aroma that regular chai doesn’t have.
Think of it this way, a standard chai latte is like a jazz tune, bold and complex. Add vanilla, and the melody feels softer, like a dessert in a cup. It’s a mini change, but it entirely changes the personality of the drink.
Is Vanilla Chai Latte Good for Your Stomach?
Yes, vanilla chai latte can be good for your stomach. Because the spices in chai give a soothing effect, as ginger works great for digestion, cardamom is really gentle for the gut. Vanilla doesn’t hurt either; it offers comfort without heaviness.
That said, how your stomach reacts is based on the milk you select because whole milk makes the drink extra creamy, but it could feel heavy. In that case, oat and almond milk are light and yet they still taste great with vanilla.
Our barista recommends: if you want a version that’s extra soothing, brew your chai a little lighter and use oat milk; it feels smooth and easier to digest.
Vanilla chai latte calories
Our homemade vanilla chai latte comes in at around 160–180 calories per 12-ounce cup, based on the milk and sweetener you use.
Here’s a quick breakdown for one serving:
- 1 cup whole milk → ~150 calories
- 1 tsp sugar (or honey) → ~15 calories
- ½ tsp vanilla extract → negligible
- Chai tea + spices → 0–5 calories
If you swap in oat milk, the count lands closer to 130–140 calories. Almond milk can go even lighter. That’s still much less than what you’d pick up from a café, where versions often climb over 250–300 calories thanks to syrups and pre-mixed bases.
Does Vanilla Chai Latte Have Caffeine?
Yes, vanilla chai latte have caffeine. Its base is black tea, an 8-ounce serving has around 40–50 mg of caffeine, less than coffee but still enough for a perfect boost.
This makes vanilla chai latte a perfect option if you want something energizing but not as strong as a regular latte or espresso. You get the comfort of warm milk and spices without the jitters that sometimes come with coffee.
Our barista recommends: if you’d like a caffeine-free version, just swap black tea for rooibos. You’ll still get the spiced chai flavor, minus the caffeine.
Vanilla Chai Latte Recipe
Here’s the recipe of our favorite vanilla chai latte at home, it’s simple and endlessly customizable:
Ingredients (1 serving):
- 1 chai tea bag
- 1 cup milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp sugar or honey
Steps:
- Brew the chai tea in ½ cup boiling water for 4–5 minutes. Make it strong—you’ll dilute it with milk
- Heat your milk until steaming. If you have a frother, use it for that creamy café texture
- Then stir vanilla extract and sweetener into the hot milk
- After that, pour the milk into the brewed chai, holding back foam to spoon on top
- Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon powder or nutmeg
That’s it, no complicated syrups, no fuss, just a homemade cup that puts you completely control the strength and sweetness.
Our barista recommends: if you want it iced, let the tea cool, then pour it over ice before adding the vanilla milk.
Is Vanilla Chai Latte Better than Coffee?
Whether a vanilla chai latte is better than coffee depends on what you’re looking for, if you prefer bold, strong flavor and a great caffeine kick, coffee wins. But if you ask for something creamy, spiced, and more soothing, vanilla chai latte takes the crown.
We mostly turn to coffee in the morning for energy, then switch to vanilla chai latte in the afternoon when we still want warmth but not too much caffeine, it’s really about balance. The nice thing is, you don’t have to pick one over the other. They each have their moment.
Wrapping It Up
A vanilla chai latte is proof that small changes can change your drink experience. Adding vanilla not only just sweetens chai, it makes it softer and more comforting with fewer calories than café versions it’s one of those recipes that’s worth keeping in your back pocket. So next time you’re craving something cozy but don’t want plain coffee, give this one a try. And remember: our barista recommends you always sprinkle a little cinnamon on top as it makes the whole cup feel extra special.
Recommended for you:
Healthy Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Recipe and Nutrition
Cherry Chai Latte: The Recipe That’s Truly the Cherry on Top