Dirty Chai Latte: How to Make Fall's Favorite Espresso Drink at Home

The dirty chai latte is having its moment. Chai spice is everywhere as fall approaches, and the "dirty" format (a non-coffee drink spiked with a shot of espresso) is one of the biggest coffee trends of 2026. Put them together and you get something that's warm, spiced, caffeinated, and deeply satisfying to make at home.

This guide covers exactly how to make a dirty chai latte, the best chai-to-espresso ratio, how to make it iced, and a few variations worth trying. You don't need a cafe to pull this off.

What Is a Dirty Chai Latte?

Quick answer: A dirty chai latte is a chai tea latte with one or two shots of espresso (or strong coffee) added. The espresso is what makes it "dirty." The result is the spiced sweetness of masala chai with the bold, roasted depth of coffee layered on top. Caffeine content is higher than either drink alone.

Chai tea lattes on their own are made with brewed masala chai (black tea with warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper), steamed milk, and usually a sweetener. The dirty version adds a shot of espresso to that base. Some people love it because the coffee cuts through the sweetness. Others love it because the chai spices make coffee more interesting than a standard latte.

The "dirty" naming convention became mainstream through social media. You'll also see dirty matcha, dirty horchata, and dirty soda following the same formula: take a beloved non-coffee drink, add espresso, serve over ice. See how we applied the same format to our cold brew dirty soda.

Dirty Chai Latte Recipe (Hot Version)

Quick answer: Brew strong chai, pull a double espresso shot, steam your milk, combine in a tall glass. The base ratio is roughly 60ml chai, 60ml espresso, 120ml steamed milk, with sweetener to taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 chai tea bag or 1 tablespoon of loose masala chai blend (or 60ml of chai concentrate)
• 60ml of hot water (for brewing the chai)
• 60ml of espresso or strong moka pot coffee (double shot)
• 120ml of whole milk or oat milk
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of simple syrup or honey (optional)
• A pinch of ground cinnamon or cardamom for finishing (optional)

Method:

1. Brew a strong chai concentrate. Steep a chai tea bag in 60ml of hot water for 4-5 minutes. If using chai concentrate, use it straight.
2. Pull a double espresso shot (60ml) using your espresso machine, moka pot, or AeroPress.
3. Steam 120ml of milk to 60-65C (140-149F). For a dirty chai, medium foam works well. You want some texture but not a thick cap.
4. In your glass, add the chai concentrate first, then the espresso shot, then the steamed milk. Stir gently to combine. Sweetener goes in before the milk.
5. Finish with a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom on top.

Total volume is around 240-250ml, which makes this a perfect fit for the Ovalware Latte Master Glass (250ml capacity). The tall, wide-mouth design makes it easy to pour and stir, and the double-wall construction keeps the drink warm without the glass getting hot to the touch.

Iced Dirty Chai Latte Recipe

Quick answer: Brew chai concentrate, pull your espresso shot, combine both over ice, pour cold milk over the top. No steaming needed. Ratio: 60ml chai, 60ml espresso, 120ml milk, lots of ice.

The iced version is arguably more popular than the hot version right now, especially in late summer and early fall when the weather hasn't fully turned yet. Here's how to make it:

1. Brew chai concentrate and let it cool to room temperature, or use store-bought chai concentrate.
2. Pull a double espresso shot and let it cool for a few minutes (or pour directly over ice if you don't mind a bit of dilution).
3. Fill a tall glass with ice.
4. Add the chai concentrate and espresso shot to the glass. If you want to see the layers, add the milk last and pour it slowly over the back of a spoon.
5. Top with 120ml of cold whole milk or oat milk.
6. Add simple syrup to taste. Stir before drinking.

For the iced version, oat milk is an excellent choice. It has a natural sweetness that pairs well with the spices and adds creaminess without the dairy. Use a barista-grade oat milk for the best result.

What Type of Chai to Use

Quick answer: Masala chai bags, loose-leaf masala chai, or store-bought chai concentrate all work. The spice blend is what matters. Look for cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper as the base. Avoid chai mixes that are more than 50% sweetener.

Chai Tea Bags

Most accessible option. Steep 1-2 bags (depending on brand strength) in 60ml of hot water for 4-5 minutes. Strong brands include Tazo Chai, Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice, and Harney and Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice. Double bag it if you want more spice intensity.

Loose Masala Chai Blend

The most flavorful option and the most customizable. Use 1 tablespoon of loose chai per 60ml of water. Brew in a small infuser or strain through a fine mesh strainer. You control the spice ratios. Some blends are ginger-forward, some are cardamom-forward. Experiment to find what you like.

Chai Concentrate

The most convenient option. Oregon Chai, Trader Joe's, and Tazo all make good concentrates. Use at full strength (don't dilute it before combining with espresso and milk). Read the sugar content before buying. Some concentrates are very sweet, which affects how much sweetener you add afterward.

Espresso Alternatives for a Dirty Chai at Home

Quick answer: Moka pot is the best option. AeroPress works well. Strong drip coffee can substitute in a pinch but the intensity will be lower.

The espresso shot provides contrast to the chai's sweetness and spice. You want something bold enough to stand up to the tea and milk. A moka pot on a medium roast gives you that intensity without an espresso machine. A single-serve drip brewer on its strongest setting will produce a weaker result but still tastes good.

How to Customize Your Dirty Chai

Quick answer: Brown sugar simple syrup adds a molasses depth that pairs well with the spices. Vanilla syrup rounds out the flavors. An extra shot of espresso makes it a double dirty chai. Adding a sprinkle of nutmeg or black pepper on top changes the aromatic profile significantly.

Brown Sugar Dirty Chai

Swap regular simple syrup for brown sugar syrup (2 parts brown sugar, 1 part hot water, stir to dissolve). The molasses undertones in brown sugar complement cinnamon and cardamom beautifully. This is the most popular sweetener variation right now.

Double Dirty Chai

Two shots of espresso instead of one. The ratio shifts toward coffee-forward, and the total caffeine is significant (roughly 250-300mg depending on your shot). Not for the faint of heart.

London Fog Dirty Chai

Replace the masala chai with an Earl Grey tea concentrate, then add the espresso shot and steamed milk as usual. Earl Grey has a bergamot citrus note that creates a completely different drink while using the same dirty latte structure.

The Ovalware Latte Master Glass

Feature	Details
Capacity	250ml / 8.5oz per glass
Material	Hand-blown borosilicate glass, double-wall
Best for	Lattes, chai drinks, matcha, cortados
Colors	Clear Glass, Frost White, Stealth Gray
Dishwasher safe	Yes
Price	$36.99 (set of 2)

The Latte Master Glass is designed for milk-based espresso drinks. The double-wall construction keeps hot drinks warm without the glass burning your hand. The wide mouth makes it easy to pour and layer drinks. Free shipping on US orders $65 and over.

Shop the Latte Master Glass

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dirty chai latte?

A dirty chai latte is a chai tea latte with one or two shots of espresso added. The espresso is what makes it "dirty." The result combines the warming spiced sweetness of masala chai with the bold, roasted depth of coffee. It has more caffeine than a standard latte or a standard chai latte, since it contains both tea caffeine and espresso caffeine.

How much caffeine is in a dirty chai latte?

A dirty chai latte typically contains about 135-175mg of caffeine, depending on the strength of your chai and espresso. The chai tea contributes roughly 50-70mg of caffeine per strong brew. A double espresso shot adds about 80-100mg. Combined, you're looking at a moderately to highly caffeinated drink.

Can I make a dirty chai latte without an espresso machine?

Yes. A moka pot is the best alternative, producing strong concentrated coffee similar in intensity to espresso. An AeroPress on the espresso brew setting also works well. Strong drip coffee can substitute but will make the espresso flavor less distinct against the chai spices.

What is the difference between a dirty chai and a chai latte?

A chai latte is brewed chai tea combined with steamed milk and a sweetener. A dirty chai adds a shot of espresso to that base. The espresso adds a roasted, bitter counterpoint to the sweetness of the chai and increases the caffeine content significantly.

Is a dirty chai latte hot or iced?

Both. The traditional version is hot, made with steamed milk. The iced version pours cold milk and espresso over ice with chilled chai concentrate. Both use the same base ratio of chai to espresso to milk. The iced version is especially popular in late summer and early fall.