Few drinks feel as comforting as a chai latte. It’s the type of drink that works whether you’re kick-starting your workday or curling up on the couch with a blanket. And whether it’s hot, iced, or somewhere in between, it’s just as welcome on a brisk fall morning as it is on a sunny summer afternoon.
At its core, a chai latte is a creamy drink made with black tea, warm spices, and milk—steamed or chilled—and often lightly sweetened. But that simplicity leaves plenty of room for interpretation, which is why chai lattes taste a little different everywhere you go.
Whether you like it cozy, bold, lightly sweet, or iced and refreshing, we’re breaking down what a chai latte actually is, where it comes from, and how to order one that fits your mood.
The Basics of a Chai Latte
A chai latte starts with black tea as its base, often made with varieties such as Assam, known for its bold, malty flavor that mixes perfectly with milk. From there, a blend of chai spices, which typically includes cinnamon sticks, cardamom, cloves, and fresh ginger, sometimes accompanied by star anise, fennel, or white or black peppercorns, gives the drink its signature warmth.
Milk is the other essential component. In cafés, the latte part refers to the milk used during preparation. This can be anything from steamed milk to frothed milk to a soft layer of milk foam on top.
Most chai lattes are also gently sweetened. That sweetener can vary but common options include brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, and a house-made syrup.
Because it’s tea-based, a chai latte usually contains less caffeine than a coffee latte, making it a popular afternoon pick-me-up without the crash afterward.
Should you get it hot or iced?
- A hot chai latte is a classic. It’s comforting and aromatic, with warmed milk and spice notes tailor-made for relaxation.
- An iced chai latte, poured over ice with cold milk, keeps all that flavor while feeling lighter and more refreshing.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you.
The Origins of Chai
Chai simply means “tea” in Hindi, which is why you might hear some people giggle if you say chai tea latte. What many people in Western culture think of as chai is more accurately called masala chai, which is the recipe we described above.
Historically, tea cultivation expanded during the colonial era, making tea more widely available. Locals adapted it to their own tastes by cooking it with milk and spices, creating a drink that was warming and communal. In India, you’ll find masala chai served in homes and from street vendors, often in small cups meant to be sipped slowly.
The modern chai tea latte is a café reinterpretation of that tradition. Outside India, coffee shops began serving chai using brewed tea or chai concentrate, combined with milk and foam, often with a slightly sweeter, creamier profile. Every café now puts its own spin on spice balance and sweetness, which is part of the fun of ordering chai in different neighborhoods.
Chai Latte vs. Masala Chai vs. Coffee Lattes
It’s easy to get tangled in terminology, so here’s a quick untangle:
- Chai simply means tea.
- Masala chai is spiced tea traditionally simmered with milk and sugar.
- Chai latte is a café-style drink made with brewed spiced tea or chai concentrate and milk, often finished with a layer of foam.
If you love chai flavor but want something closer to its roots, look for masala chai. If you want a familiar café drink, a chai latte is a great choice. And if you need more caffeine, there’s always a dirty chai latte, which adds a shot of espresso to the mix.
What to Look for in a Chai Latte on a Café Menu
Chai lattes can look simple on a menu, but a few small details will tell you a lot about what you’re about to get.
Café preparation styles
When you’re ordering, it helps to know how a café approaches chai:
- Some brew chai in-house using loose-leaf tea or tea bags, sometimes simmering it with spices for extra depth. This usually leans more traditional and spice-forward.
- Others rely on concentrates or syrups for speed and consistency, especially during busy mornings, making these common in coffee shop–style settings.
If you see black tea bags or chai tea bags behind the counter, you’re likely getting a straightforward, classic café chai.
Spices and sweetness
Every shop has its own flavor philosophy, so it’s worth asking, especially if you have a preference on sweetness.
Some lean into bold ginger and black peppercorns, while others highlight softer notes such as cinnamon and vanilla. Some chais lean into the sweetness, while others are more restrained so that the warm spices take center stage. If you have a preference, just ask for it! If you’re unsure, starting less sweet is a bit more traditional.
Milk options
Classic chai lattes are often made with whole milk, but most cafés offer alternatives that change the experience in subtle ways:
- Oat milk adds extra creaminess
- Almond milk brings a lighter, nuttier profile
- Coconut milk can make iced versions feel almost like dessert and are perfect for summer days
Most spots can make chai dairy-free, and many plant-based milks will still foam well with a milk frother, especially for hot drinks.
Fun variations to know about
Once you’ve found your baseline, there’s room to play:
- A dirty chai latte, which is chai plus espresso for the best of both worlds
- Seasonal spins like pumpkin chai (yes, sometimes with pumpkin spice), vanilla honey chai, or lavender chai
Where to Get a Chai Latte In Oak Park
Oak Park’s café scene makes it easy to find chai alongside excellent coffee and snacks ranging from Brazilian-inspired bites to Indian-influenced treats. Here are a few favorite spots to grab a chai latte locals actually rave about.
Broken Tart
Known for its from-scratch cakes and seasonal pastries, Broken Tart has quietly developed a fan base for its chai. Order a chai latte and take it outside to the sidewalk tables, where you can enjoy it alongside a kale scone or one of their intensely buttery cookies.
Kribi Coffee
Kribi Coffee features its famously air-roasted coffee beans and showcases a lineup of craft drinks, including a gently spiced chai latte that’s just as welcome for a laptop work session as it is for a quick catch-up with friends. Order one alongside a pastry or light bite, and even grab a bag of coffee beans to go!
Mulata Kitchen + Coffee
A Brazilian café where people gush about the empanadas and specialty drinks, Mulata also gets shout-outs for its chai tea latte alongside its iced coffee. Pair your hot or iced chai with a guava-and-cheese or mushroom empanada.
Whirlwind
Whirlwind Coffee roasts its own beans and leans into thoughtfully sourced tea and coffee drinks, making it a natural fit for a well-spiced chai latte. It’s the kind of place where you can camp out with your laptop, grab a drink, and stay awhile.
Wise Cup
Wise Cup’s owners bring Indian influence to the menu, which means warming spices show up in drinks such as their Kashmiri cardamom latte and chai. Regulars call this one of Oak Park’s most inviting spots for a nice, warm coffee or chai, especially now that the café has expanded its seating.
Looking to explore more? Be sure to check out our full guide to the best coffee shops near Oak Park for even more local spots worth visiting.
A Cozy Ritual Worth Repeating
Whether you’re drawn to chai for its spices or its comforting vibe, it’s a drink that invites you to slow down and savor the moment. Exploring chai lattes around Oak Park is a reminder that even a familiar order can feel new when you try it somewhere different.
And if your chai habit turns into a full-on café crawl, we’ve got plenty more local guides waiting for you.