
For Day 2 of my 12 Days of Christmas, I’m giving you a pattern of a different kind. Because what is a recipe, really, but a pattern for how to create something delicious?
It’s probably obvious that I love chai. (And since I have an international audience, let me clarify — I love masala chai! Here in the States, we just call it chai.)
Whether it’s hot, over ice, or frozen, this blend of spices always seems to hit the spot for me.
One of my absolute favorite treats, though, has long been the vanilla chai latte. Perfect for a cold winter evening of crocheting in front of the fireplace, a chai latte combines classic chai spices with the comforting texture of steamed milk.
It can cost a pretty penny to run to the coffee shop all the time for my favorite treat, so I’ve started making my own chai powder mix at home, and I’m sharing my recipe with you!

It’s so simple, and totally customizable to your preferred tastes. (For instance, a lot of other recipes call for ginger, but unless it’s in gingerbread form, I’m really not a fan… so I leave that flavor out.)
After some trial and error, here’s the blend I’ve settled on:

After adding everything to a mixing bowl, it’s just a matter of stirring it up really well. That’s it!

Isn’t it pretty!?
You can also add the blend to a food processor, in order to get all those spices really fine and well blended. The finer they are, the better they’ll dissolve and the fewer you’ll find at the bottom of your mug.
Add a couple of tablespoons to a mug of hot water (or use your Keurig!) and enjoy. For an even milkier taste, use hot milk in place of the water. (The dry blend includes powdered milk, so you’ll get some milkiness even if you use water.)
Scroll down for the recipe!
Chai Latte Mix
INGREDIENTS
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup instant tea
- 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 1/2 cup powdered vanilla creamer
- 1/4 cup malt powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
INSTRUCTIONS
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir until blended. (Optional: add to a food processor to grind mix into a finer powder.)
To use: Add 2 tablespoons to a mug of hot water or milk.
Enjoy!

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Any idea what I can use in place of the powdered creamer? I can’t find powdered creamer that doesn’t have artificial flavors in it and we don’t use artificial flavors due to food sensitivities.
I THINK I can find plain malt power, I can’t use Ovaltine because it has artificial flavors (and I think it’s a Nestles product – another thing we avoid)
Maybe a small splash of your favorite milk or half and half instead.
Oh my goodness. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I do not know how you came up with this delicious mixture but I as so thankful I stumbled upon it. But guess what I did. I used a Ninja blender, added it half full of ice, some of this wonderful powder and covered it all with whole milk and blended it up. Can you say frozen Chai Latte? Now I will be enjoying this in summer and winter. Again, THANK YOU.
Thank you for the recipe. I am going to make it tonight and crochet. That jar!! Live it. Where did you find it??
Made 2 batches yesterday for gifts. Delish!!! Very good w/ just water.
I gave the ingredients a whirl in my food processor. Will be making more.
I put a pinch of ginger in mine. yum!
Rebecca,
Your Chai Tea recipe is the best. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I have been enjoying a cup every evening, since you shortly after you posted it, while I am knitting or crocheting. I added 1/2t of ginger for a little kick.
After a lot of searching, I was able to find Lipton powdered instant tea (no lemon) at a local Harris Teeters for about $5/jar in the section with other powdered drink mixes. I used Malted Milk Powder by Nestles/Carnation which was available at Giant Food Stores near the hot chocolate mixes. Hope this is helpful.
Happy Holidays!
First of all,I loved Ovaltine as a girl. I’d have it when I came in from playing in the snow; secondly is malt powder. Could I find it at a beer making type store? I have one locally.
And thirdly, how’d all y’all like your chai?
Where is powdered tea sourced, on line it was very pricy
I found Lipton unsweetened tea powder without Lemon at my local Walmart.
I used the decaffeinated variety in my recipe.
Isn’t that just crazy? On its own, unsweetened iced tea powder is rank compared to brewed iced tea, yuck!
I have the same question as others. Is it malted milk powder or malt powder. Amazon has both but they appear to be different products.
Thanks!
I too could not find unflavoured Malt powder anywhere. I was reading in many “alternative ingredients” reviews that Ovaltine is the comparable ingredient for Malt powder. But I was unable to find anything but chocolate flavored ovaltine, and I didn’t want chocolate chai, so I substituted MCT Oil powder for the malt powder.