If you love the comforting warmth of chai tea and the sweet, spiced flavor of gingerbread, this hot gingerbread chai latte might just become your new favorite winter drink. It’s packed with classic holiday spices and tastes just like gingerbread in a cup.
This recipe is quick and easy to make at home. All you need is gingerbread syrup, chai tea concentrate, and steamed milk. It comes together in about three minutes, and once you know the steps, you’ll have a warm mug of gingerbread chai in your hands in no time.
Both the gingerbread and the chai bring warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. The result is creamy, aromatic, and just a little magical.
I look forward to this drink every year as soon as the weather starts to chill. I love anything spiced—Biscoff cookies, gingersnaps, you name it (I can’t keep them in the house, honestly).
Top your latte with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg, and you’ve got the perfect hot winter drink. Bonus points if you serve it with a gingerbread cookie.
Try the Iced Version!
Love the Starbucks iced version? Try my Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai Latte. It’s the non-dairy, iced cousin of this hot recipe and a Starbucks seasonal favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Chai
Hot and cozy: The perfect drink to warm up chilly winter mornings.
Easy to make: Just syrup, chai concentrate, and steamed (frothed) milk.
Tastes like the holidays: All the warm, spicy flavors of gingerbread meet the creamy sweetness of a chai latte.
Customizable: Use store-bought syrup and concentrate or make your own versions at home ahead of time.
Festive topping: Whipped cream and nutmeg make it picture-perfect.
More Cozy Holiday Drinks
If you like this latte, you’ll also love my Dutch Bros Christmas Morning Chai Latte. It’s made with white chocolate and half & half for an ultra-creamy treat. Or check out my Homemade Gingerbread Hot Chocolate for another rich, spiced winter drink.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Gingerbread syrup
- Chai tea concentrate
- Milk
- Whipped cream (optional topping)
- Nutmeg (for garnish)
Ingredient Notes
Gingerbread Syrup: You can use store-bought syrup or make your own at home.
My Homemade Gingerbread Syrup comes together in about 10 minutes and has that deep molasses flavor you’d expect from classic gingerbread.
It’s made with brown sugar, molasses, and warm spices for the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. I’ve also included a quick version in the recipe card below that uses ground spices if you’d rather skip the whole ones.
Chai Tea Concentrate: Use your favorite brand like Tazo or Oregon Chai, or make your own Homemade Chai Concentrate with black tea, ginger, and spices.
Steamed Milk: I like using 2% or whole milk because they steam up beautifully with a silky microfoam but you can also use barista-style dairy-free milks.
I usually use the steam wand on an espresso machine, but if you don’t have one, you can warm the milk on the stove and froth it with a handheld or electric frother. My favorite is the Breville Milk Cafe Frother. It has a generous capacity and makes perfect foam every time.
Toppings: Whipped cream and nutmeg are a must.
For an extra layer of flavor, try my Gingerbread Whipped Cream. I always go for freshly grated nutmeg because it has a richer, more aromatic taste, but bottled ground nutmeg works fine too.
How to Make a Hot Gingerbread Chai Latte
Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.
- Add the syrup. Pour the gingerbread syrup into your favorite mug. I used a glass one in the photos so you can see the layers, but when I’m not taking pictures, I reach for a big, heavy mug that keeps the drink warm.
- Add the chai. Pour in the chai tea concentrate and stir to combine. If your concentrate is cold, warm it briefly on the stove or in the microwave. If you’re opening a new carton of chai, you can skip that step.
- Steam or froth the milk. Heat milk and froth using your preferred method: a handheld frother, a steam wand, or an electric milk frother.
- Assemble the latte. Pour the steamed milk and foam into the mug over the chai mixture.
- Top it off. Finish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Add a gingerbread cookie for an extra treat.
Recipe Tips
- Make the syrup ahead: Homemade syrup thickens as it cools and keeps well in the fridge, so you can whip up lattes in minutes.
- Steaming tip: Don’t let the milk scald or boil. Aim for 130–150°F for that silky texture and microfoam.
- Batch it up: Warm the chai and gingerbread syrup together on the stove, then pour into mugs and add steamed milk. For a bigger crowd, you can heat all three ingredients in a slow cooker and let guests add whipped cream and toppings themselves.
- Serve with sweets: Gingerbread cookies, biscotti, or gingersnaps make the perfect pairing.
Making Your Own Gingerbread Syrup
Making your own gingerbread syrup couldn’t be easier, and it’s so worth it. All you have to do is combine brown sugar, molasses, water, and spices in a saucepan and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until it smells amazing and thickens slightly.
It’ll continue to thicken as it cools. Store it in a jar and keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.
It’s delicious in lattes, hot chocolate, cocktails or even drizzled over pancakes.
Get the full Gingerbread Syrup Recipe
FAQs
Does this latte have caffeine?
Yes, chai tea concentrate is made with black tea, so it contains caffeine.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use oat milk or almond milk and top with dairy-free whipped cream.
How can I make a batch for guests?
Warm up larger amounts of chai concentrate and gingerbread syrup ahead of time on the stove, then steam milk in small batches as you serve so every latte is hot and fresh. For an easier, self-serve option, you can add all three liquids (chai, syrup, and milk) to a slow cooker and gently heat. Set out whipped cream and toppings so guests can add their own.
More Gingerbread Recipes
- Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai Latte
- Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
- Homemade Gingerbread Syrup
- Homemade Gingerbread Coffee Creamer
- Gingerbread Whipped Cream
More Holiday Drinks
- Rich and Creamy Hot Chocolate (with real chocolate bar)
- Dutch Bros Christmas Morning Chai Latte
- Iced Eggnog Chai Latte
- Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate
- Starbucks Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Gingerbread Chai Latte (Hot)
This cozy hot Gingerbread Chai Latte blends warm chai tea with steamed milk and gingerbread spices for the perfect holiday drink. It’s creamy, fragrant, and easy to make right at home.
Ingredients
For the Latte
- 1/4 cup gingerbread syrup
- 1/2 cup chai tea concentrate
- 1/2 cup milk, steamed
- Whipped cream, for topping
Gingerbread Syrup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
Instructions
- Combine syrup (homemade or store-bought) and chai concentrate in a mug and stir
- Steam milk and pour into the mug.
- Top with whipped cream and nutmeg.
To make the syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine all syrup ingredients. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool before storing.
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