This delicious Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte is the ultimate cozy fall drink. Made with warming pumpkin pie spice, bold chai tea, milk, brown sugar and a splash of vanilla, this homemade version tastes just as comforting as the coffee-shop favorite — without the line or the high price.
This recipe is inspired by the popular Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte and combines familiar fall flavors into a smooth, aromatic drink you can make at home in minutes. It’s flexible: make it hot or iced, use dairy or non-dairy milk, and adjust the sweetness and spice level to suit your taste. The method is quick and forgiving, so it’s perfect for busy mornings or a relaxed afternoon treat.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
- Recipe Serving Suggestions
- Expert Tips
- Additions & Variations
- Recipe FAQs
- More Drink Recipes
- Easy Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No pumpkin puree required: Pumpkin pie spice brings the pumpkin flavor without the mess of puree.
- Use any milk: Dairy or plant-based milks work well, so it’s easy to adapt for preferences or allergies.
- Few ingredients: You only need five main items, most likely already in your pantry.
- Quick and easy: Minimal steps yield a flavorful latte in minutes.
- Highly customizable: Make it sweeter, spicier, iced or sugar-free to suit your taste.
- Budget-friendly: Homemade lattes cost far less per cup than store-bought versions.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chai: You can brew chai tea from bags or use 1/2 cup store-bought chai concentrate. If the concentrate is sweetened, omit or reduce the brown sugar.
- Brown sugar: Swap with maple syrup, honey, simple syrup, or a brown sugar syrup to taste.
- Pumpkin pie spice: Using store-bought spice is easiest, but a homemade blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves also works.
Complete ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
Quick Overview
- Brew a strong chai.
- Warm and flavor the milk.
- Froth or whisk the milk to a light foam.
- Combine and garnish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tip: Use two chai tea bags so the tea flavor is bold enough to stand up to the milk and spices.
Step 1: Place two chai tea bags in a mug and pour about 1/2 cup of boiling water over them. Let steep for 3–5 minutes — avoid over-steeping to prevent bitterness.
Step 2: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe cup, warm 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 scant teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Heat until hot but not boiling. Froth or vigorously whisk the milk until lightly foamy. Taste and adjust the sweetness.
Step 3: Remove the tea bags and pour the brewed chai into your serving cup. Add the warm, spiced milk and spoon the foam on top. Finish with whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice if desired.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Garnish with a dusting of cinnamon, a drizzle of brown sugar syrup, a cinnamon stick, or a dollop of whipped cream for a café-style presentation. This latte pairs beautifully with sweet breakfast breads, muffins, or cookies for a comforting fall spread.
Expert Tips
- Don’t over-steep the tea. Brew chai for 3–5 minutes to avoid bitterness.
- Adjust sweetness and spice. Increase brown sugar for more sweetness or add a pinch more pumpkin pie spice for extra warmth.
- For iced lattes, concentrate the tea. Use about half the water when brewing if you plan to pour the tea over ice so the final drink won’t be diluted as the ice melts.
Additions & Variations
- Iced: Brew a stronger concentrate and pour over ice. Add cold milk and a sweetener to taste.
- Sugar-free: Use a sugar-free brown sugar substitute or a sugar-free vanilla syrup and skip whipped cream.
- Dairy-free: Swap in almond, oat, or soy milk and top with non-dairy whipped cream.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Chai and pumpkin spice complement each other because they share warming spices like cinnamon and ginger, creating a rich, cozy flavor when combined.
No. A pumpkin spice latte often includes espresso and a pumpkin-pie-like flavor, while a chai latte is made with black tea and has additional spices such as cardamom and fennel that are not always present in pumpkin spice blends.
Cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, honey and maple syrup work particularly well. Other complementary flavors include brown sugar, apple, and subtle floral notes like lavender.
Caffeine content varies with the tea and number of tea bags used. A typical serving brewed with two tea bags will contain some caffeine comparable to a strong tea; adjust the strength by changing the number of bags or using a concentrate.
More Drink Recipes
Fall
Easy Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Recipe
Sauce
Brown Sugar Syrup
Fall
Rum Moscow Mule
Fall
Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or add a comment — I appreciate your feedback!
Easy Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
Author: Brianna May
Rating: 5 from 15 votes
This Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte brings together chai tea, warm pumpkin pie spice, creamy milk and a touch of vanilla for a delicious homemade fall beverage. Quick to prepare and easy to customize.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 2 minutes | Total Time: 7 minutes | Servings: 1
Equipment
- Hand frother or whisk
- Electric kettle or method to boil water
Ingredients
- 2 chai bags*
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2–1 tablespoon brown sugar, adjust to taste*
- 1 scant teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Place the tea bags in a mug and pour about 1/2 cup boiling water over them. Steep for 3–5 minutes, then remove the bags.
- Warm the milk, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla in the microwave or on the stove until hot but not boiling. Froth or whisk until foamy. Taste and adjust the sweetness.
- Pour the warm milk over the brewed chai. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice if desired.
Notes
- Chai: Use brewed chai or 1/2 cup chai concentrate (if sweetened, reduce or omit brown sugar).
- Brown Sugar: Substitutes include maple syrup, honey, simple syrup or brown sugar syrup.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Store-bought is convenient; a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves works too.
- Avoid over-steeping tea to prevent bitterness. Adjust sweetness and spice to your preference. For iced lattes, brew a stronger tea using less water so the drink doesn’t dilute as the ice melts.
Nutrition
Calories: 105 kcal | Carbohydrates: 13 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Sugar: 12 g
Nutrition information is an approximation.