Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Colossal Cafe›Colossal Chai Latte Recipe

Colossal Chai Latte Recipe

Inspired by Colossal Cafe
Time40m
Serves6

Make Colossal Chai Latte Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Chai Concentrate

Milk & Finish

Method

Chai Concentrate

  1. 1

    Combine spices and water

    In a medium saucepan, add 4 cups water, sliced ginger, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, crushed peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, and star anise if using. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

  2. 2

    Simmer to extract flavor

    Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to extract the spice flavors. Stir occasionally.

  3. 3

    Add tea and steep

    Add the black tea leaves or tea bags to the simmering spiced water and remove from heat. Cover and steep for 5 minutes for a robust flavor (longer for stronger brew, up to 8 minutes).

  4. 4

    Strain and sweeten

    Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof bowl or pitcher to remove solids. Stir in the brown sugar or honey and the vanilla extract while the concentrate is still warm so the sweetener dissolves completely. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired. This yields about 4 cups of strong chai concentrate.

Milk & Finish

  1. 5

    Heat the milk

    Pour 6 cups of whole milk into a large saucepan and warm over medium heat until steaming and small bubbles form at the edges (do not boil), about 5–7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.

  2. 6

    Assemble the colossal lattes

    For each serving (makes about 6 large lattes), measure roughly 2/3 cup chai concentrate per 1 cup milk to create a strong, balanced chai latte. In a large measuring pitcher or directly into mugs: add 2/3 cup chai concentrate, then add 1 cup hot milk and stir to combine. Repeat for remaining servings. (Adjust ratio to taste: 1:1 for milder, 1:2 for very mild.)

  3. 7

    Froth the top (optional)

    If you want frothed milk on top, reserve 1 cup milk and froth using a handheld frother, milk steamer, or by vigorously shaking heated milk in a sealed jar for 20–30 seconds. Spoon the foam onto each prepared latte.

  4. 8

    Garnish and serve

    Sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon and a light dusting of nutmeg on top of each latte. Serve immediately while hot. The recipe yields approximately 6 large (12–14 oz) Colossal Chai Lattes.

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