20 Tea Latte Recipes You Can Make at Home

Look, I’m gonna level with you right off the bat. Spending five bucks on a tea latte every morning is basically lighting money on fire, except at least with actual fire you’d feel warm. But here’s the thing—you don’t need a fancy espresso machine or barista training to make these drinks at home. All you need is tea, milk (or whatever plant-based situation you’re into), and maybe a frother if you’re feeling fancy.

I’ve been making my own tea lattes for years now, mostly because I got tired of explaining to coffee shop baristas that yes, I actually want a matcha latte with oat milk and no, I don’t want it Instagram-pretty with seventeen pumps of vanilla syrup. Tea lattes are ridiculously easy to make, infinitely customizable, and honestly taste better when you control what goes in them.

Whether you’re looking to ditch your coffee habit, want something cozy for winter mornings, or just need a new afternoon pick-me-up, these 20 recipes will sort you out. And before you ask—no, you don’t need to be some tea sommelier to pull these off.

Why Tea Lattes Beat Regular Tea (Fight Me)

Before we dive into recipes, let’s talk about why tea lattes are worth your time. Regular tea is great and all, but adding steamed or frothed milk transforms the entire experience. You get this creamy, velvety texture that makes even the simplest black tea feel like a treat you’d pay too much for at a cafe.

The milk also mellows out any bitterness from the tea, which is clutch if you accidentally oversteeped your Earl Grey while doom-scrolling through your phone. Plus, tea contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols that support cellular health and may reduce inflammation, making these lattes more than just tasty drinks.

And let’s be real—there’s something about holding a warm, frothy latte that just hits different than a regular mug of tea. It’s the little things, you know?

The Basic Formula (Master This First)

Every tea latte follows the same basic formula, which is honestly liberating once you realize it. You steep your tea stronger than normal, add your milk of choice, sweeten if you want, and froth everything together. That’s it. That’s the whole thing.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Tea base: 1-2 tea bags or 1-2 teaspoons loose leaf tea
• Hot water: 4-6 ounces (less water = stronger tea)
• Milk: 6-8 ounces of whatever milk you prefer
• Sweetener: Optional, to taste

The key is making your tea concentrated since you’re adding milk that’ll dilute it. I usually use half the water I’d normally use for regular tea. Trust me on this—weak tea lattes are sadder than a coffee shop closing early on a Saturday.

If you’re serious about making these regularly, grab yourself a handheld milk frother—they’re like fifteen bucks and make everything feel more legit. Though honestly, you can just heat your milk and whisk it vigorously like some kind of kitchen warrior. Both work.

Choosing Your Milk: Does It Actually Matter?

Short answer: yeah, it does. Different milks create different textures and flavors, and some froth better than others. Whole milk is the classic choice because fat equals flavor and creates that silky microfoam everyone’s obsessed with. But if you’re avoiding dairy, oat milk is your best friend.

Oat milk froths almost as well as dairy milk and has a naturally sweet, creamy taste that works with pretty much every tea. Dietitians note that oat milk provides more fiber than other alternatives and its texture closely mimics traditional dairy. Almond milk is lighter with fewer calories but can taste a bit thin in lattes unless you get the barista blend versions.

Soy milk froths beautifully but has a distinct beany flavor some people hate. Coconut milk adds tropical vibes but can overpower delicate teas. Just avoid rice milk for lattes—it’s too watery and you’ll end up disappointed.

For what it’s worth, I keep both oat milk and whole milk in my fridge. Oat milk for matcha and chai, regular milk for black tea lattes. You’ll figure out your preferences as you go.

1. Classic Matcha Latte

Let’s start with the poster child of tea lattes. Matcha lattes are everywhere now, but making them at home means you’re not paying six dollars for what’s essentially green tea powder and milk.

Whisk 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder with a splash of hot water until it’s smooth and no clumps remain. Heat and froth your milk, then pour it over the matcha. Add honey or maple syrup if you want it sweet. Get Full Recipe.

The trick is using good quality matcha—not the cheap stuff that tastes like grass clippings. You want ceremonial or at least culinary grade matcha. I use this bamboo whisk because metal whisks can apparently affect the flavor, and yes, I’m that person now.

2. Chai Latte (The Real Deal)

Forget those syrupy chai concentrates. Real chai is black tea brewed with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. It takes an extra five minutes but tastes infinitely better.

Simmer your spices and black tea in water for 5 minutes, add milk, bring it back to a simmer, strain, and sweeten to taste. If you’re feeling lazy, steep a couple bags of chai tea and just add frothed milk. Still way better than the premade stuff.

Honestly, chai is the ultimate cozy drink. It’s what I make when I need to convince myself that everything’s going to be okay. Also great for impressing houseguests who’ll think you’re way more domestic than you actually are.

3. London Fog (Earl Grey Latte)

This is fancy-sounding but absurdly simple. Steep Earl Grey tea with a bit of vanilla extract or vanilla syrup, add steamed milk, done. The bergamot from the Earl Grey gives it this sophisticated, slightly floral flavor that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together even if you’re drinking it in sweatpants.

I add a tiny pinch of lavender sometimes because I’m extra like that, but regular London Fog is perfect as-is. It’s become my default afternoon drink when coffee feels like too much but plain tea isn’t cutting it.

4. Golden Turmeric Latte

Before you roll your eyes at the wellness crowd’s favorite drink, hear me out. Turmeric lattes are actually delicious if you do them right. Mix turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper (yes, pepper—it helps absorb the turmeric) with warm milk and sweetener.

You can add a black tea base if you want caffeine, or keep it just golden milk for an evening drink. The color alone is worth making it. Plus, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, so you can pretend you’re being healthy while basically drinking dessert.

Fair warning: turmeric stains everything. I learned this the hard way with my favorite ceramic mugs. Now I use darker mugs for this drink and save myself the frustration.

5. Hojicha Latte

If you’ve never had hojicha, you’re missing out on one of the most underrated teas. It’s roasted green tea with this toasty, slightly caramel flavor that’s less grassy than regular green tea. Makes an incredible latte that tastes like a hug in a mug.

Steep the hojicha leaves in hot water for a few minutes, strain, add frothed milk and a touch of honey. It’s naturally lower in caffeine than other green teas, so it’s perfect for late afternoon when you want something warm but don’t want to be up until 2 AM.

You might need to hunt around for hojicha at specialty tea shops or online, but it’s worth the effort. It’s become my secret weapon for converting people who think they don’t like green tea.

For more tea-based drinks, you might want to check out these healthy recipes with nut milks and natural sweeteners or explore vegan creamer recipes that work beautifully in tea lattes too.

6. Thai Tea Latte

Thai tea is that incredibly orange drink you see at Thai restaurants that tastes like pure joy. It’s black tea with spices, condensed milk, and sometimes food coloring (which is why it’s so aggressively orange).

For a homemade version, brew strong black tea with star anise and cardamom, sweeten it with condensed milk, and serve over ice with regular milk or cream. It’s sweet, creamy, and unapologetically indulgent. No regrets.

Pro tip: you can buy Thai tea mix online that already has the spices mixed in. Saves you the trouble of tracking down star anise at three different grocery stores like I did the first time I attempted this.

7. Vanilla Rooibos Latte

Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, slightly sweet, and has this earthy, honeyed flavor that pairs perfectly with vanilla. It’s what I drink when I want something comforting but it’s too late for actual caffeine.

Steep rooibos tea, add vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste if you’re feeling fancy, froth some milk, combine everything, and maybe add a drizzle of honey. Easy, cozy, and kid-friendly if you’re looking for something the whole family can drink.

8. Dirty Chai Latte

This is chai with a shot of espresso, AKA what happens when you can’t decide between coffee and tea so you just have both. It’s chaos in the best possible way.

Make your chai latte however you normally would, then add a shot of espresso or some strong coffee. The spices from the chai actually complement the coffee really well. It’s become my go-to when I need to be a functional human but also want something that tastes good.

If you don’t have an espresso machine, just brew some really strong coffee. Nobody’s judging. We’re all just trying to make it through the day here.

9. Rose Cardamom Latte

This one sounds fancy AF, and it is, but it’s also stupid easy to make. Black tea with cardamom and a bit of rose water, topped with frothed milk. It’s floral without being soapy and has these warming spice notes from the cardamom.

The key is not going overboard on the rose water—use like, two drops maximum or it’ll taste like you’re drinking perfume. Speaking from experience here. Once you get the ratio right though, it’s elegant and delicious.

10. Ube Tea Latte

Ube is purple yam, and it makes for this gorgeous lavender-colored latte that tastes subtly sweet and nutty. You’ll need ube powder or extract for this one, which you can find at Asian grocery stores or online.

Mix ube powder with your tea base (black or green tea works), add frothed milk, sweeten as needed. It’s Instagram-worthy and actually tastes good, which is rarer than you’d think with trendy colored drinks.

11. Moroccan Mint Tea Latte

Traditional Moroccan mint tea is green tea with fresh mint and lots of sugar. The latte version keeps all that minty goodness but adds creamy milk for extra comfort.

Steep green tea with fresh mint leaves (dried works too but fresh is better), add frothed milk and honey, and you’ve got this refreshing yet creamy drink that works hot or iced. It’s like a liquid candy cane but actually sophisticated.

I make this one all the time in summer because it’s refreshing without being as boring as plain iced tea. The mint also helps when your stomach’s being weird, which is a nice bonus.

12. Genmaicha Latte

Genmaicha is green tea mixed with toasted rice, giving it this nutty, popcorn-like flavor that’s weirdly addictive. The latte version is smooth and comforting with that distinctive toasted grain taste.

Brew genmaicha strong, add your frothed milk, maybe a touch of honey. It’s savory-sweet in this balanced way that makes it perfect for people who find regular green tea too vegetal. Plus you can sometimes find the toasted rice bits floating in your latte, which is fun in a quirky way.

13. Lavender Earl Grey Latte

This is like a London Fog’s more interesting sibling. Earl Grey with lavender is this perfect floral-citrus combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.

Steep Earl Grey with a pinch of dried lavender (seriously, a PINCH—lavender is powerful), add vanilla and frothed milk. It’s sophisticated and calming, perfect for when you need to pretend you’re a functional adult.

I keep dried culinary lavender in my pantry specifically for this drink. Regular Earl Grey is great, but adding lavender takes it to another level entirely.

14. Cinnamon Dolce Black Tea Latte

If you’re missing those overpriced coffee shop cinnamon drinks, this is your answer. Strong black tea with cinnamon, brown sugar, and steamed milk creates this warming, slightly sweet latte that tastes like fall in a cup.

I like using Ceylon or Assam tea for this since they’re robust enough to stand up to all the cinnamon. Add a cinnamon stick while the tea steeps, then sweeten with brown sugar or maple syrup and top with frothed milk. Dust some extra cinnamon on top because why not.

Speaking of warm breakfast drinks, these winter morning drinks pair perfectly with tea lattes for your morning routine.

15. Coconut Jasmine Green Tea Latte

Jasmine tea has this delicate floral aroma that pairs beautifully with coconut milk. It’s like a tropical vacation in a mug, minus the overpriced airfare and questionable resort food.

Brew jasmine green tea, use coconut milk instead of regular milk (the canned kind works better than the carton stuff), add a touch of honey or agave. It’s naturally dairy-free and has this light, refreshing quality that’s perfect for spring and summer.

16. Masala Chai Latte

This is basically chai latte’s more intense cousin. Masala chai has even more spices—think black pepper, fennel seeds, and bay leaves in addition to the usual suspects. It’s bold, warming, and packed with flavor.

You really need to simmer the spices in water first to extract all those flavors. Then add your black tea, then milk, bring it back to a gentle boil, strain, and sweeten. It’s more work than regular chai but worth it when you want something that really packs a punch.

My Indian friend taught me this recipe and insisted you can’t use pre-ground spices. Fresh whole spices that you toast and crush make all the difference. She wasn’t wrong.

17. Honey Chamomile Latte

For when you need something soothing and calming, chamomile lattes are where it’s at. They’re naturally caffeine-free, gentle, and perfect before bed or when you’re feeling stressed.

Steep chamomile tea strong (use at least two bags), add warmed milk and honey to taste. The honey really brings out chamomile’s natural apple-like sweetness. It’s simple but incredibly comforting.

I make this whenever I can’t sleep or when I’m coming down with something. There’s something about warm chamomile milk that just makes everything feel better, even if it’s probably mostly placebo.

18. Black Sesame Latte

This one’s a bit different—it’s made with black sesame paste mixed with tea and milk. The result is this nutty, earthy latte with a gorgeous grey color that actually tastes amazing.

Mix black sesame paste or powder with hot water and a bit of green or black tea, add sweetener and frothed milk. It’s rich, creamy, and has this unique nutty flavor that’s hard to describe but easy to crave.

You’ll probably need to order black sesame paste online unless you live near an Asian grocery store. Worth tracking down though—it’s different from anything else on this list.

19. Spiced Apple Chai Latte

This is regular chai but make it autumn. Add apple cider or apple juice to your chai tea along with extra cinnamon and maybe a bit of nutmeg. Top with frothed milk for this apple pie-inspired latte situation.

I use about half chai tea and half apple cider for the liquid base, then add milk on top. It’s sweet, spiced, and tastes exactly like what you’d want to drink while watching leaves fall and wearing an unnecessarily large scarf.

20. Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Latte

Yes, I’m that basic. No, I don’t care. Pumpkin spice is delicious and you can fight me on this. Since rooibos is naturally caffeine-free and slightly sweet, it’s perfect for a pumpkin spice latte that won’t keep you up at night.

Brew strong rooibos tea, add pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, maple syrup, and frothed milk. Blend everything together for maximum creaminess. It tastes like fall and hygge and all those other cozy concepts that make winter bearable.

Real talk: you can also just buy pumpkin spice syrup and add it to any tea latte base. I won’t tell anyone. We all have our shortcuts.

For more creative drink ideas, check out these quick drinks with 3 ingredients or less or these creative syrups that work great in tea lattes too.

Equipment You Actually Need

Good news: you don’t need much to make great tea lattes at home. A kettle or pot to heat water, something to steep tea in, and something to heat and froth milk. That’s literally it.

The essentials:

• Kettle or pot: For heating water. An electric kettle with temperature control is nice but not necessary.
• Tea infuser or strainer: If you’re using loose leaf tea. Tea bags work fine too.
• Milk frother: Handheld electric frothers are cheap and effective. This battery-powered one lives on my counter and gets daily use.
• Small saucepan: For heating milk on the stove if you don’t have a frother.

Optional but nice: a temperature gun for checking milk temp if you’re particular about that, and a matcha whisk and bowl set if you’re making lots of matcha lattes. But honestly, most of this stuff you probably already have.

The biggest mistake people make is overthinking the equipment. You can make excellent lattes with a pot, a whisk, and some elbow grease. The fancy stuff just makes it slightly easier and faster.

Frothing Milk Without Fancy Equipment

Don’t have a milk frother? No problem. Here’s what actually works:

The jar method: Heat your milk, pour it into a mason jar (fill it only halfway), screw the lid on tight, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. The milk will double in volume and get all frothy. Pour immediately before the foam collapses.

The whisk method: Heat milk in a pot, then whisk it aggressively in a circular motion. Your arm will get tired but you’ll get decent microfoam if you’re persistent enough. This is basically how I did it for years before buying an actual frother.

The blender method: Heat the milk, pour it into a blender, and blend on high for 30 seconds. Creates super frothy milk but also creates extra dishes to wash, so pick your battles.

All these methods work. Some are just more annoying than others. But the point is you don’t need to spend money on equipment before you even know if you’ll like making lattes at home.

Making Your Lattes Sweeter (Or Not)

Sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave—they all work in tea lattes. The question is whether you actually need sweetener at all.

Some teas like chai and rooibos are naturally sweet-ish, especially with milk added. Others like matcha can be quite bitter without something to balance it out. Start with less sweetener than you think you need and add more if necessary. You can always add, but you can’t un-add.

I usually do a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup in most of my lattes, which is way less sugar than commercial versions. If you’re trying to cut back on sweeteners entirely, oat milk and whole milk both add natural sweetness that helps.

Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit work too, but they can have a weird aftertaste in tea that some people hate. Just experiment and see what you like. There’s no tea latte police coming to check your sweetener choices.

Final Thoughts on Making Tea Lattes at Home

Here’s the thing about tea lattes—they’re forgiving, customizable, and way cheaper than buying them at coffee shops. Once you figure out the basic formula, you can experiment with different teas, milks, and sweeteners until you find your perfect combination.

I’ve been making these at home for years now, and I honestly don’t miss overpriced cafe drinks at all. Sure, I don’t get fancy latte art, but I also don’t have to put on real pants or wait in line behind someone ordering a drink with seventeen modifications.

Start with one or two recipes from this list that sound appealing. Master those, then branch out. Before you know it, you’ll be that person who has six different types of tea in their pantry and strong opinions about milk frothers. Welcome to the club.

And look, if your first attempts aren’t perfect, who cares? You’re still drinking warm, cozy, homemade tea lattes while saving money and learning a new skill. Even mediocre homemade lattes are better than no lattes at all. Just keep at it, adjust as you go, and enjoy the process. That’s honestly half the point anyway.