What’s up you guys? Today I’m sharing something a lot of people on my Instagram have been begging me to post.
Every time I mention this drink, I get messages asking how to make it, what I use, and whether it really tastes like the Christmas Morning drink from Dutch Bros.
I actually got this recipe from Beauty With Karen on YouTube, tried it myself, and then had several friends try it too.
The reactions were so good that I knew I needed to bring the full tutorial here.
I followed her recipe exactly, and after a little testing of my own, I figured out the easiest way to put it together without melting the ice or watering down the flavor.
If you love chai, this might become your go-to holiday drink. So let me walk you through how I make it, the tips I learned along the way, and even how to order a similar version at Starbucks.
Amazon Gear for Making the BEST Chai Tea Latte for Christmas I Recommend
Want to Make a Cozy, Café-Quality Chai Tea Latte at Home This Christmas?
A perfect Christmas chai tea latte is warm, spiced, creamy, and comforting — exactly what you want on a chilly holiday morning or cozy evening.
With a few simple tools and ingredients, you can make a rich, flavorful chai latte that tastes even better than the coffee shop version.
Below are my top Amazon picks to make the best homemade Christmas chai tea latte effortlessly.
Top Amazon Essentials for Chai Tea Latte Making
| Product | Why You’ll Love It | Shop Now |
|---|---|---|
| Chai Tea Concentrate (Spiced or Unsweetened) | Delivers bold, authentic chai flavor without complicated spice blending. | Check Price on Amazon |
| Milk Frother (Handheld or Electric) | Creates creamy foam for that café-style chai latte finish. | View on Amazon |
| Stovetop or Electric Milk Steamer | Perfect for heating milk evenly for a smooth, cozy drink. | Shop Now |
| Saucepan or Small Milk Pot | Ideal for gently warming chai and milk without scorching. | Buy on Amazon |
| Festive Christmas Mugs | Makes your chai latte feel extra special and holiday-ready. | See Details |
| Cinnamon Sticks & Star Anise Set | Adds festive aroma and beautiful garnish for Christmas presentation. | Check Price |
| Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Syrup | Enhances sweetness and depth for the ultimate chai latte flavor. | View on Amazon |
| Ground Nutmeg & Cinnamon Shaker | Perfect for finishing touches and cozy holiday spice vibes. | Shop Now |
The Story Behind How I Found This Recipe
Everyone on my IG—girls like Ay Blanca, Pero Noche Verde, and Lulu—kept raving about this Christmas Morning drink when they visited Colorado.
Since I’m a huge chai lover and we don’t have Dutch Bros in Florida, I became obsessed with figuring out how to make it at home.
One night I googled it, found Beauty With Karen’s tutorial, and followed it step by step.
When we went to South Lake Tahoe, I made it for all the girls, and everyone said it tasted almost identical—some said exactly the same.
And honestly, I believed them because I’d already been making it every single day for two weeks. It became part of the morning vibe around here.
What You’ll Need
Here are the exact ingredients I use to get the closest flavor match:
- Oregon Chai Tea packets (the ones from Walmart; they also come in loose powder)
- White chocolate sauce
- Half and half
- Whipped cream (optional but highly recommended)
- Nutmeg
- Warm water and cold water
- Ice
- Optional: espresso if you want the “dirty” version
The white chocolate sauce can be hard to find, so if you see it, buy more than one. I usually find it at Walmart.
How to Make the Drink
1. Start With Warm Water
Add about half a cup of warm water to your cup. I learned this trick after a few messy, melted-ice attempts.
The warm water dissolves the chai packet quickly without making the entire drink too hot.
Empty the whole chai packet into the warm water and stir well.
2. Add White Chocolate Sauce
Stir in about two tablespoons of white chocolate sauce. Adding it while the mixture is still warm helps it blend completely.
3. Cool It Down
Pour in another half cup of cold water. This is the key to keeping the ice from melting instantly. You want the mixture to be cool before adding the ice.
4. Add Half and Half
Depending on how creamy you want it, add about one-fourth to one-third cup of half and half.
I’ve also made this with vegan half and half and vegan whipped cream, and it tastes just as good.
5. Add Ice
Fill the cup with ice and stir. Normally this takes less than two minutes, but I always take longer when I’m showing the steps.
6. Finish With Toppings
Add a generous amount of whipped cream and sprinkle some nutmeg on top. If you love nutmeg, you can even mix a little into the drink itself—it tastes amazing.
The Dirty Version (With Espresso)
One night, instead of using warm water, I mixed the chai packet directly into a shot of espresso.
It turned into a dirty chai Christmas Morning, and it was unbelievably good. If you want a stronger drink with more depth, try this version.
The First-Time Reaction
When I first had my boyfriend try it, he had absolutely no idea what it was supposed to taste like.
He took a sip and said it was amazing. Later, when we went to Starbucks, he helped me figure out how to recreate something similar with their ingredients too.
Now we make this at home all the time, and every single person who’s tried it has said the same thing: it’s bomb.
A Amazon Version You Can Order
If you don’t feel like buying ingredients or you’re on the go, here’s exactly how to order a close dupe at Starbucks. This is the version that went viral on my Instagram stories:
Grande:
- Iced Chai Tea Latte
- Add 2 pumps white chocolate syrup
- Add half and half
- Top with whipped cream and nutmeg
Venti:
- Same as above but with 3 pumps of white chocolate syrup
If you want it sweeter, adjust the pumps to your liking. After testing different combinations, these were the ratios that matched most closely.
Dutch Bros First-Time Tip
Here’s a funny little bonus story.
When we went to Dutch Bros in South Lake Tahoe (technically Nevada), we told the barista it was our first time and asked what they recommended.
There were about ten of us in the van, all ordering drinks. After taking our whole order, the barista said everything was free.
We were shocked. None of us expected that. Maybe it was a first-time perk, or maybe she was just being extremely nice, but either way it made the moment unforgettable.
And yes—the Christmas Morning from Dutch Bros was delicious. But I’ll be honest: my homemade version has a stronger chai flavor, while theirs is a little milkier.
Same thing with Starbucks: depending on the barista, it can be perfect or a little too creamy.
Final Thoughts
This drink is a hit every single time I make it. It’s quick, cozy, festive, and perfect for the holiday season.
Everyone who has tried it has loved it, and I think you will too. If you decide to make it at home, let me know how it turned out and whether you think it tastes like the original.
I hope you enjoy this little tutorial. Thank you for hanging out with me today, and I’ll see you in the next one. Merry Christmas!