Iced Latte or Iced Chai Latte at Home

Iced Latte at Home

Iced Latte. The perfect compromise between a cold, refreshing drink and an afternoon pick-me-up. On countless occasions I have shelled out a fist full of cash at a fancy coffee house (or M-place drive through) for what is essentially a strong cup of coffee poured over some ice. It is really, really easy to make this at home, saving money and time. I have one right now, in fact, and did not have to load the kids into the car to go fetch it.

Chai Latte at Home

Chai Latte at Home

In college, I had no idea what a "tea latte" was, despite the fact that I made and enjoyed so many of them when savouring rare moments at home. There was a positively delicious carob tea on the market at that time. I would brew my cup extra strong and top it with frothed milk. When that tea was discontinued, it inspired a cross-border road trip to buy up as many boxes as I could. My friend wanted a bottle of her favorite fragrance so I picked her up after her late-night shift at a bar and off we went... Border Patrol did not believe us when we declared our purchases on the way home; it was the first time I had ever had my car thoroughly searched. All for pretty perfume and wonderful tea, both of which were rationed for a long, long time.

Lately, Stealthy Dad and I have been enjoying spiced chai. It is a black tea with notes of cardamom and cinnamon that invite a little sweetness. Some cool, frothed milk adds fun and the result is as satisfying as a dessert.

To make your own, coffee-shop style Chai Latte, brew a cup of chai tea in a large mug. Leave room for about a third milk. Let the tea steep a few minutes and remove the tea bag. Stir in sugar or honey to taste. Prepare the froth by adding milk to a lidded bottle and shaking it. Pour it over your tea. Take a moment to watch the milk swirl down into the tea. Enjoy.

(And if this chai tea goes off the market, I promise to just make do with what is on the store shelves instead of getting into trouble having an adventure.)

For easy instructions on making a Cafe Latte at home without an espresso machine or Keurig landfill-hogger click here.


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I shared this post at Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways.