Here’s how to make a tea latte just like your favorite coffee shop…in 5 minutes! It’s got the best creamy flavor and frothy foam topping.
Love tea lattes? Did you know you can make them at home? Yes, you can make a cup of creamy tea with a beautiful foamy, frothy topping: and it’s just as good as your local coffee shop (or better). Want a chai latte instead? We’ve got a recipe for that too. Tea lattes are the perfect cozy warm drink for fall and winter: but they work for anytime, too! Here are all the tricks to making a tea latte at home.
How to make a tea latte (basic steps!)
Making a tea latte is easy! The part that requires the most technique is frothing the milk. Here are few tips for how to make a tea latte at home and make the best froth:
- Make the tea. Simply boil the water and seep the tea bag.
- Use fresh milk! To get the best froth, use fresh milk. If the milk you use has been in the fridge for a while, it’s possible it might not froth.
- Heat the milk to 150 degrees (scalding). It’s important to heat the milk to just scalding, but not boiling. It’s easiest to measure temperature with a food thermometer, but you can also measure with your finger: it’s ready when it’s hot to the touch and tiny bubbles are starting to form at the edges.
- Use a French press, hand frother, or whisk. We used our French press to froth the milk and it worked great. You can also use a hand frother (it works great!), or simply vigorously whisk the milk. For the French press, pump for 20 seconds until small, even bubbles form. Go to How to Froth Milk for tips.
- Pour the tea and milk into the cup. When you pour in the milk, the beautiful, creamy and frothy foam follows!
This tea latte is straightforward and delicious, topped with fluffy, frothed milk just like at your favorite coffeeshop (or let’s be honest…Starbucks!). It’s a perfect fall drink or winter drink that’s warming and cozy. Once you’ve made this one, here are a few more recipes to try:
The best milk for a tea latte
The best type of milk to a tea latte? Whole milk. Why? The milk fat is what helps to make the frothiest foam. The rich, creamy flavor is what you’d expect from the flavor of a coffeehouse tea latte. Don’t want to use whole milk? It’s our first choice here, but there are a few alternative milks.
- Whole milk (top choice). This makes the best frothy foam and has the richest flavor.
- 2% milk. 2% also works! Go to the frothing instructions in Chai Latte (but use black tea for the base).
- Oat milk. Want a vegan variation? Go to the frothing instructions in Vegan Chai Latte.
How to Make a Perfect Tea Latte
FAQ
Is tea latte just tea with milk?
What tea makes the best latte?
What is the difference between a tea latte and a latte?
Can you make a tea latte with milk?
Black tea is usually used to make a tea latte since it goes well with milk and it’s a strong tea that can cut through the milk but any kind of tea can be used. Try it with oolong tea, green tea, white tea, or herbal tea. Chai and matcha green tea make really tasty tea lattes since they go well with milk. Use tea bags or tea sachets.
How to make mint tea?
Grind the mint leaves to release the aromas and place in a container. Then add hot filtered water (not boiling) and cover the leaves. Let the tea sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain the tea and it’s ready to drink!
Can you make a tea latte hot or iced?
Tea lattes can be made hot or iced. Hot tea lattes are usually made with steamed or frothed milk. Any type of tea can be used. Black tea is usually used to make a tea latte since it goes well with milk and it’s a strong tea that can cut through the milk but any kind of tea can be used. Try it with oolong tea, green tea, white tea, or herbal tea.
How do you make a tea latte at home?
Tea lattes are easy to make at home because of their pantry-friendly ingredients! All you need to make a tea latte is: Your favorite tea: A tea bag or a loose leaf tea works. Hot water: Filtered hot water is best. Milk: For a dairy tea latte whole milk will make your tea latte the creamiest. Vegan alternatives include soy or vanilla almond milk.