This slow cooker chai tea latte is a cozy after dinner drink for the holidays that is caffeine-free, vegan, keto-friendly, and alcohol-free. Full of warming spices, it is so easy to make!
Just like our chai and honey roasted almonds, this slow cooker chai tea latte is packed with yummy fragrant spices and will fill your house with a cozy aroma as it cooks (a happy bonus)!
This homemade slow cooker chai tea latte is ridiculously easy to throw together, and (in our opinion) tastes better than Starbucks! Packed with fresh spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and peppercorns, this recipe has the perfect blend of spice with a touch of warm pepper flavor at the end.
Made dairy-free by using almond milk, it is also paleo and low-sugar. As written, it is caffeine-free, but you can add a few black tea bags if you prefer the caffeine or are serving this earlier in the day. There's nothing better than a warm, cozy and perfectly spiced cup of chai - so let's get cooking!
Reasons you'll love this Recipe
- it's SO flavorful, because the spices slow cook and infuse into the tea for 4 hours
- your house will smell absolutely amazing and so cozy as it cooks
- it is perfect for guests avoiding alcohol and who want a less sweet drink option
- it's dairy-free, vegan and paleo
Ingredient Notes
- Almond milk - while testing, we found that almond milk was essential in this recipe as it doesn't split or break in the slow cooker like dairy milk does.
- we recommend using unsweetened almond milk - you can use either original or unsweetened vanilla for extra flavor. You could also swap for another favorite dairy-free milk such as oat milk or soy milk
- Fresh ginger - you'll want whole fresh ginger root for this recipe (not dried ground ginger). You can find it in the produce section at the grocery store, usually near the garlic.
- Other spices - we are also using cinnamon sticks, cloves, while peppercorns and whole cardamom. You can find these in the spice aisle at your grocery store, or check your local bulk food store for spices that are harder to find such as cardamom.
Step by step directions
Prepare spice satchet
Place the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods (crushed slightly with the side of a knife), peppercorns, cloves, and fresh ginger slices on a square of cheesecloth. Tie it up with kitchen twine, and add to the slow cooker.
TIP- constraining the spices in the cheesecloth makes it easy to remove them later on
Add Liquid
Place in a large slow cooker and add 2 cartons of unsweetened almond milk. Add in maple syrup if adding and stir.
Slow Cook
Cook on low for 4 hours. Remove the bag of spices and serve with coconut whipped cream and cinnamon.
Note - we made a half batch for these photos in a 2.5 quart slow cooker, but for a full batch version, a 6 quart slow cooker would be best!
Variations
- Dirty chai - add a shot of espresso for a "dirty" chai latte - of course it will no longer be caffeine-free!
- Black tea - add plain black tea bags or chai tea bags to the slow cooker as the chai is steeping. Again, it will no longer be caffeine free but you may prefer the added depth of flavor
- Vanilla - for a vanilla chai, you could add vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract
- Golden chai - add some fresh turmeric root to the spice mix along with the ginger and other spices for a golden chai latte that has some extra heat!
FAQ
We highly recommend it because, without it, the spices ended up making a really unappetizing sediment.
We have only tried as written and can't say for sure. You may end up with a lot of sediment in your drink and that the ground spices would be quite strong.
It looks like a lot, but I promise it's not an overpowering pepper flavor, just a light aftertaste! It's one of my favorite things about a chai!
Yes! Swap the maple syrup for 1-2 teaspoons monk fruit sweetener or leave it out altogether. Without the syrup, this chai tea latte has just 2 g net carbs per cup!
The chai shown in this post has no black tea bags added for a caffeine-free version. If you'd like, add in 4 bags of black tea at the same time as the spices.
We did try it with part coconut milk and part water (since I find straight coconut milk too rich), and couldn't get the ratio quite right. We would recommend slow cooking with the coconut milk, and adding water in slowly till you get the right consistency. OR you could try using drinking coconut milk.
Storage
Note: This recipe is best served right after cooking, but it can also be stored in the fridge and reheated later if you have leftovers.
- Fridge - Let cool completely. Store in an air tight glass mason jar for up to a week.
- Reheat - in the microwave until steaming hot, or in a small pot on the stove top.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Slow Cooker Chai Tea Latte
Ingredients
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 10 green cardamom pods broken open with the side of a knife
- 40 peppercorns roughly 1 teaspoon
- 20 whole cloves
- 4 inches fresh ginger sliced into rounds
- 64 oz unsweetened almond milk 2 quarts, 2 946 mL cartons; see note 1
- 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup optional; note 2
Instructions
- Spice Sachet - Place the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, peppercorns, cloves and ginger slices on a square of cheesecloth. Use kitchen twine to tie it shut.
- Add liquid - Place in a large slow cooker and add 2 cartons of unsweetened almond milk. Add in maple syrup if desired and stir.
- Slow cook - Cook on low for 4 hours.
- Serve - Remove the bag of spices and serve with coconut whipped cream and cinnamon
Tips:
- while testing, we found that almond milk was essential in this recipe as it doesn't split or break in the slow cooker like dairy milk does.
- we recommend using unsweetened almond milk - you can use either original or unsweetened vanilla for extra flavor. You could also swap for another favorite dairy-free milk such as oat milk or soy milk
- to make this keto-friendly, omit the maple syrup or replace with 1-2 teaspoons monk fruit sweetener
- Nutritional information includes maple syrup; without it, net carbs are 2 g per serving (4 g total carbs, 2 g fiber)
- Fridge - Let cool completely. Store in an air tight glass mason jar for up to a week.
- Reheat - in the microwave until steaming hot, or in a small pot on the stove top.
Nutrition Information
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Florieke says
I have made this a couple of times now and I'm so much in love with this recipe! I make it with artificial sweetener to reduce kcal. I don't use the cloth and find the residu not that much! I use use unsweetened almondmilk. Thank you for this recipe!
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Florieke, I have to agree with you - this is slow cooker chai is a favorite of mine as well! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review! We're so glad that you enjoyed, and that you found a new favorite to make again and again!
Manjyot says
Hey Denise! Can I use regular full fat milk for this recipe?
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Manjyot, Great question! We haven't tested it with regular full fat (dairy) milk, but I don't see why it wouldn't work out. In other similar Slow Cooker Chai Tea recipes I've seen, others have used milk in combination with water. If you test it, please be sure to come back and let us know how it turned out. Enjoy!
Tamara Bergen says
I made this today as we got our real Christmas tree from the bush. It was a delightful smell to come home to. I made it with the almond milk, but used real whipping cream to garnish and it was a big hit. The children didn't even know they were drinking almond milk. I will definitely be making this again!
Denise says
I'm so happy to hear this, and honoured that it was part of your Christmas tradition. Thanks for reporting back, Tamara!
Anita says
Almond milk makes my stomach cramp.what do I substitute?
Amanda says
I use coconut milk in mine! I always make it first, then add water afterwards if I find it too creamy or rich. Macadamia milk also works well, but is harder to find and definitely brings a sweetness. Regular milk can also work.
Denise says
Thank you so much for chiming in, Amanda! That's a great tip to add water after, as I winged it with coconut milk and put too much water 🙁
Dawn says
If you wanted to reduce the caffeine, you could use decaffeinated tea bags or even green tea bags.
Denise says
Hi Dawn! You could use decaf bags, I have not tried with green tea bags.