Best Golden Chai Latte Recipe
Creamy & healthy golden chai latte! This dairy-free recipe uses coconut milk for a truly delicious, warming beverage.
I can’t remember when I enjoyed my first golden latte. But once I tried it, I was hooked. However, the sugar content in the store bought chai lattes became too much.
On occasion, I can still get a good restaurant bought chai latte that’s not too sweet, but it’s become harder and harder to find.
Unfortunately, most coffee and tea shops use sweetened almond milk in addition to a sugar-laden chai blend.
For this reason, my favorite way to enjoy chai lattes is at home perhaps even with a slice of Caribbean banana bread. More recently, I found out about golden milk and the allure of the sunshine yellow turmeric, it’s anti-inflammatory benefits and medicinal properties are equally hard to resist.
But, why choose between golden milk and chai latte when you can enjoy the health benefits of both in this delicious warm drink?
History of Chai Tea
Chai tea started in India and goes back thousands of years. Traditionally, chai spice mix is used as part of a traditional Ayurvedic drink. Those diverse array of spices are paired together not just for their flavor but for their powerful health benefits. In chai tea latte these black tea bags are used along with hot milk as a smooth vehicle for aromatic spices.
History of Golden Milk
No surprises here…golden milk is another powerful beverage that got it’s start in India. Made with one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory spices on the planet (I’m looking at you turmeric), it’s no wonder why golden milk is noted for boosting the immune system. I even like sprinkling turmeric in my bone broth. Uses include relief everything from coughs, aches and pains.
Healing Properties of Turmeric
Whether you’re using fresh turmeric root or ground turmeric powder, the healing benefits of turmeric can’t be denied. The active ingredient in this golden yellow spice, known as curcumin is what makes turmeric so healthy. First of all turmeric has significant anti-inflammatory effects. It is also a potent anti-oxidant. As a result, turmeric has shown positive results in such ailments like heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and cancer.
Modifications for Golden Chai Latte
While chai latte and golden milk may have been made with cow’s milk initially, you can use your favorite dairy free milk if you choose.
When it comes to the spices in this recipe, the more whole the spice, the more robust and powerful your golden chai latte will be. Depending on where you live, whole ginger, black peppercorns (milled in recipe), cloves and cinnamon sticks should be easy to find. Finding whole cardamom and turmeric may be a little more challenging.
Don’t drive yourself crazy though. You can also grate fresh ginger ahead of time and store it in the freezer for easy access. I’ve frozen leftover ginger after making ginger beer before and it makes things really simple.
As far as sweeteners go, you can even swap the maple syrup for honey. If you’ll be using honey, make sure you use raw honey to keep this recipe as health promoting as possible.
Tip: To finish this recipe off, you can use a handheld foamer for a special touch.
Ingredients in Golden Chai Latte
- black tea (antioxidant properties, may reduce risk of cancer)
- water (to make the tea)
- coconut milk (a source of healthy fats)
- ground turmeric (powerful anti-inflammatory agent)
- ground cinnamon (reduces heart disease risk, reduces blood sugar, too many other benefits to list)
- whole clove (pain relief, rich in antioxidants, supports a healthy liver)
- fresh ground ginger (wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits)
- ground cardamom (may prevent chronic diseases, antibacterial effects)
- maple syrup (packed with nutrients like zinc, magnesium, calcium and riboflavin)
- real vanilla extract (soothing, calming and can help reduce sugar intake)
- ground black pepper (aids in the absorption of turmeric, potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits)
Directions to Make Turmeric Chai Latte Recipe
- Step 1: To a small pot add 1/2 cup of water and bring to a boil. Add tea bags and maple syrup.
- Step 2: Next add warming spices like cinnamon, whole clove, grated ginger root, cardamon and black pepper.
- Step 3: Stir for about 3 minutes before adding turmeric, half of coconut milk and vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Mix gently for about 5 minutes more, allowing the golden turmeric chai latte to thicken slightly.
- Step 5: While that’s on the stove, add 1 cup coconut milk to another small pot.
- Step 6: Warm coconut milk until hot, but not boiling.
- Step 7: Once the coconut milk gets really hot, use a handheld milk frother or blender to foam the milk.
- Step 8: Strain the tea into your favorite mug making sure to remove the clove and tea bag. Spoon foamed coconut milk on top.
Tips to Make the Perfect Golden Chai Latte Recipe
To get the perfect color: This is going to sound counterintuitive, but if you want that nice golden color be sure to use powdered turmeric powder versus fresh turmeric in this beverage.
The color just doesn’t turn out out the same. It’s not that you can’t use fresh turmeric at all. If you opt for fresh turmeric, also add some powdered turmeric for that golden color. Just don’t get any on your clothes. Turmeric stains!
Optional: How to Make An Extra-Special Dairy Free Foam for Your Golden Milk Latte
This golden milk latte is really delicious and super easy to make. But, if you want to take things up a notch, foam to the top.
Use full fat coconut milk for the foam. It takes a little patience to get it right. You can use just coconut milk or add equal parts coconut milk and aquafaba (chickpea juice) to a small sauce pan. Add about a 1/2 cup of each. Gently warm on medium low heat.
Once warm, use a handheld milk frother or high-powered blender to get the perfect dairy free foam. Spoon onto latte and top with cinnamon as desired.
Golden Chai Latte
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cup coconut milk unsweetened – divided into two portions
- 2 black tea bags tags removed
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp turmeric (ground)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon (ground)
- 1 whole clove
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 1/4 tsp cardamom (ground)
- 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- * garnish- cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- To a medium pot add water bring to a boil. Add tea bags, maple syrup, cinnamon, whole clove, grated ginger, cardamon, black pepper and warm on medium heat.2 black tea bags, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cardamom, 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper, 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- After about 3 minutes add half of coconut, the turmeric and vanilla extract.2 cup coconut milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tbsp turmeric
- Whisk intermittently, being careful not to walk away from the pot so it doesn't boil over or burn.
- Warm for about 5-10minutes more (stirring slowly) allowing chai tea to thicken slightly.
- While that's on the stove, add 1 cup coconut milk to another small pot.
- Warm the coconut milk until hot, but not boiling.
- Strain the tea into your favorite mug, making sure to remove the clove and tea bags.
- Once the coconut milk gets really hot, use a handheld milk frother or blender to foam the milk.
- Strain the tea into your favorite mug making sure to remove the clove and tea bag. Spoon foamed coconut milk on top or stir into the golden chai latte.
- Garnish with cinnamon sticks.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Pair your golden chai latte with one of these delicious recipes:
Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Other Recipes You May Like:
March 14, 2022
Updated for Content 10/13/2023, 1/21/2025, 1/26/26
