As the calendar turns to January, we step into a month full of fresh starts: blank pages, renewed routines, quiet ambitions. The Vanilla Bean Chai Latte is built for that shift. It blends warm chai spices with creamy milk and a touch of vanilla bean syrup to create a cup that feels grounding, fragrant, and quietly luxurious.
It is smooth, warming, and softly sweet without overpowering the classic spice of chai.
Why Vanilla Chai
Chai brings warmth and spice. Vanilla brings softness and depth. Together, they create a flavor that feels nostalgic yet elevated. The vanilla rounds out any sharp edges from the tea and turns the whole cup into something velvety and calming, like a blanket you can drink.
Drinking Temperature
Served at 55°C
Ingredients
- 2 cup water
- 3/4 cup milk of choice
- 2 black tea bags or 4 g loose-leaf black tea
- 2 to 3 teaspoons vanilla bean syrup
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1 cinnamon stick or 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2-3 cardamom pods (crushed) or ½ tsp ground cardamom
- Optional spices: a few whole cloves, star anise, or black peppercorns
Directions
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In a small saucepan, bring the water and spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, etc.) to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Turn off the heat, add the black tea bags, and let them steep for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a mug or bowl to remove the spices. Stir in your preferred sweetener.
- In a separate small saucepan, heat the milk until it steams. Froth it with a whisk, immersion blender, or milk frother.
- Pour the spiced tea into a mug and top with the frothed milk.
Why it works in Ember
Chai is layered by nature. The spices unfold gradually, changing as they mingle with milk and warmth. When it is sipped slowly, you taste more than sweetness — you notice the peppery lift of ginger, the floral notes of cardamom, the soft earthiness of cloves, and the warmth that lingers at the back of your throat. Cooling too quickly can flatten those nuances, leaving the spices muted and the texture less velvety.
The Ember Mug preserves that ideal warmth from start to finish, giving the spices room to open up at their own pace. It turns the latte into a moment rather than a quick drink, letting you linger without losing flavor, heat, or comfort.
Variations
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Dirty Chai: Add a shot of espresso for extra warmth and energy.
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Maple Chai: Swap vanilla syrup for maple syrup for a deeper, woodsy sweetness.
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Super Vanilla: Add a splash more syrup and a small drop of pure vanilla extract for a richer dessert-style version.
The Last Drop
The Vanilla Bean Chai Latte is cozy, calm, and deliciously simple. It’s the kind of drink that turns an ordinary moment into something softer and more thoughtful, perfect for easing into the new year.
