Kat's Kitchen

Starbucks dropped a brand new drink this year called the Iced Cherry Chai. It combines their classically beloved ice chai latte with a new Cherry Cream Cold Foam that is velvety, sweet, and outright lovely. Like all the drinks on the Starbucks menu, this drink is severely overpriced, so if you’re wanting to enjoy this beverage more regularly without the hit to your wallet, this recipe is for you! Let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Please note, full measurements are listed on the recipe card at the bottom of the recipe. Scroll to the end, or click the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the page.

• Chai Concentrate: I’ve tried a lot of chai concentrates in my day, and the one I’ve found that is the closest to Starbucks, is the Oregon Chai Extra Spicy Super Concentrate. It’s the most concentrated mixture I’ve tried and perfectly mimics the spiced chai flavor in the Starbucks chai concentrate. Note if you’re using other chai concentrates, be sure to follow the recommended concentrate to milk ratio on the container as they all differ (usually a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio). Other chai concentrate runner-ups include:
  • Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai Black Tea Concentrate (very close second place)
  • Tazo Classic Chai Latte Concentrate
  • Tazo Tea Organic Chai Concentrate
  • Oregon Chai Original Chai Concentrate

• 2% Milk – The standard milk for this recipe is 2%, but feel free to use whatever milk you like best. Personally, my favorite is oat milk, specifically, the Oatly Barista Edition Oat Milk! You’ll use cold milk for an iced chai, and steamed milk for a hot chai. Note, for the cold foam, you will need 2% milk as well.
• Ice – You will need ice for an Iced Cherry Chai, but of course, omit the ice if you want to make a hot version.
• Cherry Syrup: To make the Cherry Cream Cold Foam, you’ll need a cherry syrup. I have a Homemade Cherry Syrup that is perfect for this recipe, or you could use a store-bought option like the Torani Cherry Syrup or the Torani Sugar Free Cherry Syrup!

• Heavy Cream: For the Cherry Cream Cold Foam, you will need heavy cream. If you are dairy free, simply swap the heavy cream for vanilla soy milk.
• OPTIONAL Pink Food Coloring: If you feel your cold foam isn’t quite as pink as you’d like, consider using a pink food coloring to further enhance the pink color!
• Cherry Crunch Sweet Topping: You can make the topping Starbucks uses for this drink by combining two crushed animal cracker cookies and a tiny pinch of cherry powder. Mix together in a small bowl and add to the top of your Iced Cherry Chai. Personally, I love the combination of cherry and chocolate, so instead of the animal cookies and cherry powder, I like to add a Chocolate Topping and sprinkles. Feel free to use whichever option you prefer!
• Handheld Milk Frother – The secret to great at home cold foam is a good milk frother! I have tried many frothers, and THIS ONE is the best I have ever used! It makes the thickest, creamiest cold foam, just like Starbucks! It’s about $8.00 on Amazon, and I promise, you will love it!

How To Steam Milk For a Hot Chai Latte

If you want to make a Hot Cherry Chai, you need steamed milk. To steam milk at home, you have a few options:

1. Steam Wand: If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand attached to it, watch this Milk Steaming Video Tutorial for how to steam milk! You simply add milk to a milk frothing pitcher, insert the tip of the steam wand into the milk, and create air bubbles, heat and texture to create perfect, velvety steamed milk at home!
2. Electric Milk Frother: Add your milk to an electric milk frother, and select the hot setting. The milk frother will heat the milk as well as create a thick and foamy texture. The texture will be a little different than a typical steam wand, but it’s very similar and pleasant, and a great option if you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand.
3. Handheld Milk Frother: Add cold milk to a large coffee mug and place the mug in the microwave for 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can heat up milk in a pot on the stove until warm, just make sure to constantly stir it so it doesn’t burn. Once your milk is warm, insert a handheld milk frother into the warm milk. Froth the mixture until the milk doubles in size and becomes bubbly and frothy, and you have steamed milk for your hot latte!

Note, for an Iced Cherry Chai, you do not need to warm or steam the milk. Simply skip this step, and use cold milk straight from the fridge.

How To Make an Iced Cherry Chai Latte At Home

1. In a cup, combine chai concentrate, milk, and ice, then set aside.
2. In a separate smaller cup, combine the Cherry Cream Cold Foam ingredients and froth the mixture with a handheld milk frother for about 30-60 seconds or until thick and creamy.
3. Pour the Cherry Cream Cold Foam over the iced chai latte, top with your Cherry Crunch Sweet Topping, and enjoy!

How To Make a Hot Cherry Chai Latte At Home

1. Add your chai concentrate and cherry syrup to a cup or mug.
2. OPTIONAL: Microwave the chai concentrate for 30 seconds to warm it up.
3. Pour milk into a milk frothing pitcher and steam using a steam wand. You could also froth the milk inside an aerroccino, or microwave the milk for 60 seconds in the microwave and froth with a handheld milk frother until thick and frothy.
4. Pour the steamed milk over the chai concentrate, top with your Cherry Crunch Sweet Topping, and enjoy!

How To Make Starbucks Cherry Cream Cold Foam At Home

In a small cup, combine cherry syrup, 2% milk, and heavy cream, and froth with a handheld milk frother until thick and creamy (about 30-60 seconds).

How To Make Starbucks Dairy Free Cherry Cream Cold Foam At Home?

In a small cup, combine cherry syrup, barista style oat milk, and vanilla soy milk, then froth with a handheld milk frother until thick and creamy (about 30-60 seconds).

How Can I Make This A Dirty Chai?

To make a dirty chai, simply add 1-2 shots of espresso into your cup before adding in the milk! See my 5 Ways To Make Espresso At Home blog post for step by step instructions of five different espresso making methods!

How Can I Make This Lower Sugar?

For a lower sugar Starbucks Cherry Chai at home:

• Use a low sugar or zero sugar chai concentrate option.
• Steep chai tea bags in hot water and then add your choice of low calorie/low sugar sweetener, rather than using a premade concentrate.
• Use unsweetened almond milk instead of 2% milk.
• Use a lower sugar chai latte mix like this one by Kola Goodies.
• Make a low sugar or zero sugar Cherry Cream Cold Foam by using the Torani Sugar Free Cherry Syrup or a sugar free homemade cherry syrup!

What Ratios Does Starbucks Use?

Follow the ratios below for a Starbucks short, tall, grande, or venti chai latte. Note, the cold foam measurements stay the same no matter the size:

Iced Cherry Chai Latte

	TALL	GRANDE	VENTI
CHAI CONCENTRATE	3 PUMPS	4 PUMPS	6 PUMPS
MILK	6 OZ	8 OZ	10 OZ

Hot Cherry Chai Latte

	SHORT	TALL	GRANDE	VENTI
CHAI CONC.	2 PUMPS	3 PUMPS	4 PUMPS	6 PUMPS
MILK	4 OZ	6 OZ	8 OZ	10 OZ

Note, each PUMP is equal to 1/2 ounce. This may also vary based on which pump you use.

Also note, if you are using a regular chai concentrate rather than the super chai concentrate the ratios, will be a bit different since you’ll be using a 1:1 ratio of chai concentrate to milk. I recommend the following ratios:

	TALL	GRANDE	VENTI
CHAI CONCENTRATE	4 OUNCES	6 OUNCES	8 OUNCES
MILK	4 OUNCES	6 OUNCES	8 OUNCES

More Starbucks Copy Kat Chai Recipes To Try:

• Starbucks Chai Latte
• Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Chai
• Starbucks Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai
• Starbucks Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai Latte

Now you know how to make a Starbucks Iced (or hot) Cherry Chai at home for a fraction of the price! Enjoy this drink as often as your heart desires, and your bank account with thank you!