Chai has always been one of my go-to Starbucks orders—especially when I want something cozy but with a little spice.
I’ve tried every version on the menu (and a few creative secret ones), from the classic hot chai latte to the iced dirty chai with cold foam.
Whether you’re a longtime chai fan or just curious about branching out from your usual order, I’ve rounded up the best Starbucks chai drinks to try.
Some are sweet and creamy, others are spicy and bold—but they’re all worth sipping at least once.
I’ll walk you through what’s in each one, how it tastes, and any tweaks I recommend from personal experience.
1. Hot Chai Tea Latte
The hot chai tea latte is one of those drinks that feels like a hug in a cup.
It’s made with the same spiced chai concentrate as the iced version, but when it’s steamed with milk, the flavor deepens in a really comforting way.
I love the balance between the cinnamon, clove, and cardamom—it’s bold, but not overpowering.
There’s something about drinking it warm that makes the spices feel more pronounced and cozy.
If you’ve only had the iced chai, definitely give the hot version a try. It hits differently, especially in fall or winter.
2. Iced Chai Tea Latte
The Iced Chai Tea Latte at Starbucks is made with their signature chai concentrate, which is packed with warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, and then shaken with milk and poured over ice.
What I like most is how it balances sweetness and spice—you get that cozy, fragrant chai flavor, but it’s refreshing on a hot day.
I usually stick with 2% milk, but oat milk makes it extra creamy and smooth if you want a plant-based option.
You can also customize the sweetness by asking for fewer pumps of chai if it’s too strong.
3. Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte (Seasonal)
When fall rolls around, I immediately start looking out for the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte.
It combines two of my favorite things—Starbucks chai and that thick, dreamy pumpkin cold foam. The chai base already has a strong spice profile, so layering it with pumpkin makes sense.
The cold foam is the best part. It’s lightly sweetened with pumpkin spice syrup and has a thick, velvety texture that floats on top and gradually mixes in. It softens the bite of the chai without taking away the flavor.
I usually don’t mess with this one too much because the balance is already on point, but I have tried it with oat milk and it still holds up.
4. Iced Chai with Matcha Cold Foam
I wasn’t sure about chai and matcha at first, but now it’s a favorite when I’m in the mood for something a little unexpected.
It starts with a regular iced chai latte, and then instead of regular cold foam, I ask for matcha cold foam on top.
The matcha adds an earthy, slightly grassy flavor that blends beautifully with the spicy chai. It’s like a mashup of two iconic tea flavors.
The cold foam is sweet and fluffy, so you get this creamy green layer on top of a golden spicy base, and every sip is different depending on how much foam you get.
It’s a nice break from sugary coffee drinks when I want tea but still want something fun. This isn’t on the official menu, so you have to build it yourself, but it’s worth it.
5. Chai Frappuccino (Secret Menu)
If you’ve never had a Chai Frappuccino, you’re missing out.
It’s not on the official menu, but all you have to do is ask for a crème-based frappuccino with chai concentrate blended in.
I usually go with oat milk to cut the heaviness, but any milk works. It comes out super thick, icy, and sweet—like chai dessert in drink form.
I recommend going light on the chai if you don’t want it too intense, or even blending in some vanilla syrup for extra sweetness.
6. Dirty Chai Latte
A dirty chai is just a regular chai latte with a shot (or two) of espresso added, and that simple change makes all the difference.
The chai gives you that comforting cinnamon-clove flavor, and the espresso adds a bold kick that wakes you right up. It’s spicy and strong, but still smooth.
The espresso blends nicely into the chai that it never feels like two drinks smashed together—it just feels balanced.
You can get it hot or iced, and both versions are great. Iced is a little more refreshing, but hot is cozier.
7. Iced Dirty Chai with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
This chai drink feels like a little luxury in a cup.
It starts with an iced chai latte, but adding a shot of espresso gives it that coffee edge. Then the vanilla sweet cream cold foam comes in like frosting on top.
I love how the foam slowly melts into the drink, mellowing out the spice and adding this smooth texture that makes it feel more indulgent than a regular iced latte.
Pro tip: If you want to level it up even more, ask for a pump of brown sugar syrup. It gives it a cozy twist that reminds me of fall even when it’s hot outside.
8. Dirty Iced Chai with Brown Sugar Syrup
This is my go-to when I want something with a strong caffeine kick but still full of spice.
I start with a regular iced chai latte, add a shot of espresso, and then ask for a pump or two of brown sugar syrup.
That combination of chai spice, smooth espresso, and warm brown sugar makes every sip taste like cozy energy.
I love how the brown sugar blends with the tea. It adds depth without overpowering the chai, and it softens the edge of the espresso.
9. Chai Tea (Brewed, Not Latte)
Sometimes I just want something simple and not too sweet, and that’s when I go for Starbucks’ regular Chai Tea.
It’s just hot water and a Teavana chai tea bag, but it’s full of flavor. You still get those bold spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, but without the milk and syrup that come in the lattes.
I’ll sip this when I’m not in the mood for caffeine-heavy coffee but still want something warm and cozy.
It’s also a good option if you’re watching your sugar intake since there’s no added sweetness. You can always add honey or a splash of milk yourself, but I like it just as it is.
10. Iced Dirty Chai with Oatmilk
If you want something bold and smooth but not too heavy, try an Iced Dirty Chai with oatmilk.
The oatmilk adds a creamy texture that blends perfectly with the spice of the chai and the richness of espresso.
It’s strong, but not bitter, and the sweetness from the chai concentrate keeps everything balanced. You can go with one or two shots of espresso, depending on how much caffeine you need.
It feels energizing but still kind of comforting—like a mix of coffee shop cool and tea lover cozy.
It’s not on the menu exactly, but the baristas know what you mean. It’s great for days when you can’t pick between coffee and tea.
11. Apple Pie Frappuccino
This one honestly surprised me. I expected it to be sweet, but I didn’t expect it to taste exactly like apple pie in drink form.
It starts with a chai crème frappuccino base, which already has those warming spices, and then they add apple brown sugar syrup and a caramel drizzle.
It’s blended up like a milkshake and topped with whipped cream, and the whole drink feels like a dessert I didn’t know I needed.
The apple flavor is sweet but also just tart enough to stand out. What really ties it together is how the chai spices mix with the apple and caramel. It’s cozy, rich, and just slightly spiced.
12. Iced Chai with Vanilla and Caramel Drizzle
If you want your chai a little sweeter and more dessert-like, the Iced Chai with Vanilla and Caramel Drizzle is a fun upgrade.
It starts with the classic iced chai base—those cozy cinnamon and clove notes—but then gets a shot of vanilla syrup that smooths out the spice with just the right sweetness.
The caramel drizzle on top pulls everything together and gives it a bit of a toffee-like finish.
It’s not overly sugary, but it definitely feels like a treat. The flavors layer really nicely. You get spice, then vanilla, then caramel at the end.
13. Iced Chai with Blonde Espresso and Sweet Cream
If you love both chai and coffee, the Iced Chai with Blonde Espresso and Sweet Cream is the best of both worlds.
It starts with the classic iced chai—spicy, a little sweet, super refreshing—and then gets a shot of blonde espresso for that extra caffeine kick without overpowering the chai.
Blonde espresso is lighter and smoother than regular espresso, so it blends in really well with the spices. The sweet cream on top mellows everything out and adds this rich, velvety finish that makes the drink feel fancy.
I like giving it a quick stir so the espresso and cream swirl through the chai, but even if you don’t, it tastes amazing as you sip down.
14. Lavender Chai
Lavender and chai might sound unexpected, but they actually make a really calming and cozy combo.
The floral notes from the lavender add a relaxing vibe to the warm spices in the chai, like cinnamon, cardamom, and clove.
I like ordering an Iced Chai Tea Latte with a pump or two of lavender syrup (you can usually ask if they have it at Starbucks or bring your own if you’re making it at home).
The result is sweet, spicy, and just a little floral—nothing overpowering, just smooth and balanced.
15. Iced Chai with Almond Milk and Cinnamon Powder
If you’re looking for a lighter chai option that still has flavor, the Iced Chai with Almond Milk and Cinnamon Powder is one of my go-to combos.
Almond milk keeps it refreshing and vegan, and it gives the drink a slightly nutty taste that works well with the chai spices.
Adding cinnamon powder on top boosts that warm flavor without adding extra sweetness, which I appreciate when I want something spiced but not sugary.
It’s a great option if you’re dairy-free or just want something a bit lighter.
This post showed you the 15 best Starbucks chai drinks.
Check out more Starbucks drink inspo:
- 19 Best Starbucks Healthy Drinks, Ranked
- 15 Best Starbucks Iced Coffee Drinks to Order Year-Round
- 10 Best Cold Brew Coffee at Starbucks, Ranked
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