What you'll need
Double Trouble: Café-Style Dirty Chai
Tea or coffee? Some decisions are entirely unnecessary.
This café-style dirty chai latte combines warm, spiced tea with rich coffee and creamy milk - all without leaving the house or paying coffee-shop prices.
It’s bold, comforting and extremely effective when your get-up-and-go has got up and left.
How to make it
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Add the chai to 100ml of freshly boiled water and brew for the time recommended on the pack.
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While the tea is brewing, make one shot of espresso.
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Gently heat the milk in a small saucepan or microwave until steaming but not boiling. Froth it if you fancy the full coffee-shop effect.
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Remove the teabags or strain the leaves. Stir in maple syrup or brown sugar if you’d like a sweeter drink.
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Pour in the espresso, then top with the warm milk.
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Spoon over any remaining foam, add a pinch of cinnamon and prepare to feel significantly more capable.
No espresso machine? No problem
Make around 30ml of very strong coffee using whatever you have, or dissolve strong instant coffee in a small amount of hot water. Keep it short and punchy so it doesn’t overwhelm the chai.
The important thing is to keep it short and strong. A full mug of regular coffee will overwhelm the chai and leave you with something closer to a beverage identity crisis.
One shot is plenty
Start with a single espresso. It brings a rich coffee flavour while still allowing the tea and spices to come through.
A double shot creates a much stronger, more coffee-led drink - and brings considerably more caffeine to the party. If you want the flavour without quite as much buzz, use a decaffeinated espresso instead.
Choose your milk
Whole dairy milk creates the richest result, while semi-skimmed keeps things a little lighter. Oat milk is naturally creamy and works beautifully with both chai spice and coffee.
Soya milk also creates a full-bodied latte, while almond milk adds a noticeable nuttiness. Whichever you choose, heat it gently and avoid boiling it.
Two chais that play brilliantly with coffee
Mighty Masala
The warming spices in Mighty Masala stand up beautifully to espresso, creating a bold, fragrant dirty chai with a proper coffee kick. Add maple syrup for a little caramel sweetness.
Chai Hard
Chocolate, chilli, chai and coffee were never going to be shy together. Espresso turns Chai Hard into something close to a spicy mocha—rich, warming and delightfully over the top.
