Easy Homemade Apple Chai Latte Recipe for the Holidays

This Apple Chai Latte is the ultimate blend of cozy chai spices and the fresh, crisp flavor of apples, making it an ideal drink for autumn, winter, and the holiday season.

With each sip, you’re greeted with the warmth of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and a hint of ginger, mingling beautifully with the natural sweetness of apple.

This latte takes all the familiar flavors of spiced apple cider and adds the comforting creaminess of a traditional chai latte, creating a drink that’s both indulgent and refreshing!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Festive Aroma: The blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves fills your space with a holiday scent, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
• Comforting and Creamy: The creamy texture adds a comforting richness, making it a soothing drink for cold days.
• Boosts Immune Health: The spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves have immune-supporting properties, making this drink a great choice during cold and flu season.
• Alcohol-Free Holiday Drink: Perfect as a festive holiday drink for all ages, offering the warmth of seasonal spices without the need for alcohol.
• Pairs Well with Desserts: The apple and spice flavors make it an ideal companion for seasonal treats like gingerbread, shortbread, and fruit tarts.

Ingredients

Apple cider is the base of this recipe, providing a natural sweetness and depth of flavor that complements the chai spices.

Choosing a good-quality apple cider, preferably without added sugars, ensures a pure apple taste that blends well with the other ingredients. Fresh, unfiltered cider works especially well, as it has a richer, more complex flavor.

Chai tea is essential for bringing the warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamom to the latte.

You can use a chai tea bag for convenience, but if you have loose-leaf chai, it often provides a bolder and more nuanced flavor. Chai’s spices pair perfectly with the apple cider, creating a drink that feels both festive and cozy.

Milk adds creaminess to the latte, balancing the tartness of the apple cider and the intensity of the spices.

Dairy milk provides a rich, smooth texture, but plant-based alternatives like almond, oat, or coconut milk work well too, giving a lighter or subtly nutty flavor depending on your choice. The milk also enhances the latte’s comforting quality, making it feel indulgent and satisfying.

Honey or maple syrup is an optional sweetener, bringing a touch of extra warmth and richness to the drink.

Since apple cider already has natural sweetness, only a small amount of honey or maple syrup is needed. Honey offers a light floral note, while maple syrup adds a slightly caramel-like depth, both of which complement the chai and apple flavors beautifully.

Ground cinnamon, a cinnamon stick, or an apple slice for garnish adds an appealing finishing touch. The ground cinnamon brings extra warmth and spice to each sip, while the cinnamon stick and apple slice make for an attractive, festive presentation that’s perfect for the season.

These garnishes elevate the drink visually and add a bit of extra spice or aroma, enhancing the overall experience of this cozy Apple Chai Latte.

Ingredients for 2 servings (or 1 large serving):

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 chai tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose chai tea)
• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for garnish)
• Cinnamon stick or apple slice (optional, for garnish)

How To Make Apple Chai Latte

Instructions:

1. Heat the Apple Cider and Water: In a small pot, combine the apple cider and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
2. Steep the Chai Tea: Once the cider mixture is simmering, add the chai tea bag (or loose tea) and let it steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bag or strain out the loose tea.
3. Add Milk and Sweetener: Pour in the milk and stir in honey or maple syrup if you’d like it sweetened. Heat gently until the mixture is warmed through, but avoid bringing it to a boil.
4. Serve and Garnish: Pour the Apple Chai Latte into mugs. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, a cinnamon stick, or an apple slice if desired.
5. Enjoy: Sip and enjoy your warm, spiced Apple Chai Latte!

More Tips & Variations

• Add a Ginger Kick: Grate a small amount of fresh ginger into the apple cider as it simmers for an extra layer of warmth and spice, perfect for those who love a bit more zing in their chai.
• Caramel Drizzle: For an indulgent twist, drizzle a little caramel sauce on top of the latte before serving. The caramel blends beautifully with the apple and chai flavors, adding a rich, dessert-like touch.
• Spiced Whipped Cream: Top your latte with a dollop of whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon or nutmeg for an extra creamy, festive variation. This adds a decadent element that’s especially great for holiday gatherings.
• Add Clove or Star Anise: Drop in a clove or star anise while simmering the chai for a more robust spiced flavor. These additional spices deepen the complexity of the drink and add a festive touch.
• Vanilla Bean: Add a small piece of vanilla bean or a few drops of vanilla extract to the cider for a smooth, sweet undertone that enhances the apple and chai flavors.
• Apple Butter Addition: Stir in a teaspoon of apple butter to the cider mixture while it simmers, adding extra richness and an intensified apple flavor.