What Is A Dirty Chai

Last time you visited Starbucks or your local coffee shop, did you hear a customer ask for a dirty chai—-and you have no idea what that is….well we’re here to answer the question, “What Is A Dirty Chai?” 

Chai tea in itself boasts a wide range of health benefits ranging from reducing inflammation, improving digestion, and increasing energy. When adding in a healthy and oh-so-necessary dosage of freshly brewed coffee or shot—or two—of espresso, you get yourself an understandably creative and decadent drink, a dirty chai.

In this article, we will be providing further information on what dirty chai tea is, how to make your own homemade dirty chai, and beneficial bonuses like vegan chai tea brands and vegan chai tea concentrate to use when you make your own batch of dirty chai! 

Jump to Recipe

What Is A Dirty Chai?

Dirty chai is a chai tea latte, or masala chai, that contains a fun addition of a shot, or two, of espresso. It usually comes with steamed milk, or cold foam if requested, when served hot. Many times, if bought at a coffee shop or cafe, dirty chai uses a chai concentrate to obtain a sweeten flavor of chai tea, though not all of them do that. Some make the chai tea then add creamer or sweetener, before adding steamed milk or cold foam. 

 How many calories does a dirty chai have?

Chai Tea Brands

Thrive Market, Fair Trade Organic Chai Tea

Chai, translating to “tea” in Hindi, started out its popularity in Ayurveda, India, and since then has proceeded to become a popular drink all over the world. This Fair Trade Organic Chai Tea by Thrive Market combines organic ingredients like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves in black tea to create this unforgettably delicious Fair Trade Organic Chai Tea. 

Find It Here:

Numi Tea, Turmeric Chai Golden Latte

This Turmeric Chai Golden Latte by Numi Tea uses Fair Trade Certified and organic ingredients like nutmeg, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, licorice root, turmeric, and cinnamon. All of these ingredients combine into one delicious and healthy package. 

Find It Here:

Tazo, Organic Chai Tea

Tazo’s Organic Chai Tea has carefully designed its chai tea to be the boldest and most exquisite of chai teas. The undeniably rich notes of ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom combine together to create a bountiful and rich chai tea that will have you brewing more before you know it. 

Find It Here:

Allegro Tea, Organic Indian Chai

Harvested using only the highest quality ingredients like organic tea native to the country of India, this Organic Indian Chai is boasting the chai tea’s wonderfully popular spicy flavor. Rich and perfect in its balance of flavor, this tea is one you need to buy to make your homemade batch of dirty chai. 

Find It Here:

Vegan Chai Tea Concentrates

Rishi Tea, Masala Chai Tea Concentrate

Using only organic ingredients, Rishi Tea’s Masala Chai Tea Concentrate provides only the highest quality ingredients. Ingredients like black pepper, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom create an exquisite spicy and aromatic blend of chai tea concentrate. There’s no need for you to brew any chai tea or sweeten your dirty chai drink, simply add this Masala Chai Tea Concentrate to a cup along with your freshly brewed coffee or espresso, and you’ve got yourself your own homemade dirty chai! 

Find It Here:

Rishi Tea, Organic Chaga Chai Tea Concentrate

This Organic Chaga Chai Tea Concentrate by Rishi Tea uses a blend of roasted dandelion root, Chaga mushrooms, chicory, and astragalus root (an adaptogenic). A great blend of natural spices with nutritional benefits and a hint of cocoa nibs for one batch of greatness. 

Find It Here:

What You Will Need To Make A Vegan Dirty Chai

The soothing taste of a chai tea mixed with the zippy comfort of espresso and coffee, combined together into one delightful drink—a vegan Dirty Chai! Keep reading to see how to make your own homemade batch of Dirty Chai—-or three!

Ingredients:

  • ½ Cup Non-Dairy Milk 
  • 2 Espresso Shots or 1 Cup Freshly Brewed Coffee
  • 2 Chai Tea Bags
  • 1 Cup Boiling Water
  • 2 Tbsp Sweetener Of Choice

Equipment:

  • Measuring Cup
  • Espresso Machine or Coffee Maker
  • Measuring Utensils
  • Drinking Cup 

Step By Step Instructions To Make A Vegan Dirty Chai

Step 1: Make The Chai Tea

To start off making the dirty chai drink we need to make the chai tea. In a coffee cup, combine one cup of boiling water and 2 chai tea bags. Allow the chai tea bags to steep for up to 4-5 minutes.

Step 2: Make The Espresso Or Coffee

While the chai tea is steeping in the boiling water, make your freshly brewed coffee or espresso. 

Step 3: Combine 

If wanting to make iced dirty chai add 1 cup of ice to a glass and add in the chai tea liquid and freshly brewed coffee or espresso shot(s). If wanting to make a hot dirty chai, add the freshly brewed coffee or espresso shot(s) to the hot chai tea liquid in the coffee cup. 

Step 4: Add Sweetener And Non-Dairy Milk

In the mixture, add the non-dairy milk and sweetener of choice to the mixture of chai tea and coffee or espresso. Enjoy! 

 Is a dirty chai latte good?

Tips and Tricks

If you’re a big fan of a spankin’ good dirty chai, then a great tip is to make a double batch, or four, of the chai tea and keep it refrigerated for your next batch! 

Servings And Preparation Time

Preparation Time Cook TimeServings
5 Minutes5-10 Minutes2 Servings

Conclusion

Did you enjoy this recipe? Make sure to leave a comment below to tell us what you think or if you have any questions. Don’t forget to share this article, “What’s A Dirty Chai?”, for our favorite Vegan Dirty Chai recipe.

Tag us on social media with your finished product!

FAQs

Is chai tea healthier than coffee?

Chai tea is actually much healthier than coffee mainly because of all of the extra health benefits it provides with its consumption.

How many calories does a dirty chai have?

A dirty chai can have about 240 calories depending on who makes the dirty chai.

Is Starbucks Dirty Chai healthy?

The Starbuck's dirty chai is only about 80 calories and contains less sweeteners depending on how its made at your Starbucks.

Is a dirty chai latte good?

Yes, a dirty chai latte is delicious, though that completely depends on you and your tastebuds.

Vegan Dirty Chai

Recipeska
The soothing taste of a chai tea mixed with the zippy comfort of espresso and coffee, combined together into one delightful drink---a vegan Dirty Chai! Keep reading to see how to make your own homemade batch of Dirty Chai----or three!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 2

Equipment

  • Measuring Cup
  • Espresso Machine or Coffee Maker
  • Measuring Utensils
  • Drinking Cup

Ingredients
  

  • ½ Cup Non-Dairy Milk
  • 2 Espresso Shots or 1 Cup Freshly Brewed Coffee
  • 2 Chai Tea Bags
  • 1 Cup Boiling Water
  • 2 Tbsp Sweetener Of Choice

Instructions
 

  • To start off making the dirty chai drink we need to make the chai tea. In a coffee cup, combine one cup of boiling water and 2 chai tea bags. Allow the chai tea bags to steep for up to 4-5 minutes.
  • While the chai tea is steeping in the boiling water, make your freshly brewed coffee or espresso.
  • If wanting to make iced dirty chai add 1 cup of ice to a glass and add in the chai tea liquid and freshly brewed coffee or espresso shot(s). If wanting to make a hot dirty chai, add the freshly brewed coffee or espresso shot(s) to the hot chai tea liquid in the coffee cup.
  • In the mixture, add the non-dairy milk and sweetener of choice to the mixture of chai tea and coffee or espresso. Enjoy!

Notes

If you’re a big fan of a spankin’ good dirty chai, then a great tip is to make a double batch, or four, of the chai tea and keep it refrigerated for your next batch! 
Keyword How many calories does a dirty chai have?, Is a dirty chai latte good?, Is chai tea healthier than coffee?, Is Starbucks Dirty Chai healthy?, What is A Dirty Chai?