Introduction

Christmas Morning Chai is a cozy and festive drink perfect for warming up chilly holiday mornings. This creamy chai latte, enriched with white chocolate sauce and topped with whipped cream and nutmeg, brings a delightful twist to your everyday chai. Whether you prefer it hot or iced, it’s a comforting treat to start your holiday day.

A clear glass mug filled with three visible layers: the bottom layer is a light brown coffee base, the middle layer is thick white milk foam, and the top layer is a creamy swirl of whipped cream with a sprinkle of light brown powder. A shiny gold spoon is placed inside the mug, leaning against the side. The mug sits on a white marbled textured surface, surrounded by blurry festive decorations including brown pinecones, silver ornaments, and soft glowing string lights in the background. Steam rises gently from the drink, adding a warm and cozy feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3/4 cup Chai Tea Concentrate (such as Oregon Chai, instant chai packets, or your favorite brand)
1/3 to 1/2 cup half and half
1–2 tablespoons white chocolate sauce
Whipped cream, for topping
Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the chai concentrate on the stovetop in a small saucepan until simmering and hot, or warm it in a microwave-safe mug. If using instant chai, boil 6 ounces of water, then mix with the instant chai until fully dissolved.
Step 2: Heat the half and half in a frother or on the stovetop until hot but not boiling. If you don’t have a frother, gently warm the cream and whisk vigorously to create a light foam.
Step 3: Drizzle some white chocolate sauce inside the mug, swirling it around the sides. Pour the hot chai concentrate into the mug and stir in a little more white chocolate sauce if desired.
Step 4: Add the heated half and half to the chai and top with the foam.
Step 5: Garnish with a generous dollop of whipped cream, freshly grated nutmeg, and a drizzle of white chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.
Step 6 (For Iced Version): Use a cold foam frother to froth the half and half, or chill the cream and whisk vigorously to create cold foam.
Step 7 (For Iced Version): Drizzle white chocolate sauce along the inside of an ice-filled glass, then pour the chai concentrate over the ice.
Step 8 (For Iced Version): Slowly pour the frothed half and half over the chai, then top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and an additional drizzle of white chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

If you don’t have white chocolate sauce, melted white chocolate or white chocolate syrup can be used as a substitute.
Use whole milk instead of half and half for a lighter version with less richness.
For a vegan option, substitute half and half with oat or almond milk and use dairy-free whipped cream.
Freshly grated nutmeg adds a warm aroma—avoid pre-ground nutmeg for best flavor.
To froth without a frother, vigorously shake warm half and half in a tightly sealed jar or whisk rapidly.

Storage

It’s best to enjoy this chai drink fresh for optimal flavor and texture. If you have leftover chai concentrate, store it in the refrigerator for up to one week. Prepared chai drinks with milk or cream should be consumed immediately for the best taste and texture, as milk can separate upon reheating. If needed, reheat gently on the stove or in short microwave bursts.

How to Serve

A clear glass cup filled with a light brown coffee base making up the bottom half, topped with a thick, creamy white foam layer filling most of the rest of the cup, with a large dollop of whipped cream on top that has a slightly yellow tint and a dusting of light brown powder. A shiny gold spoon is placed inside the cup, leaning against the rim. The cup sits on a wooden table with a blurred background featuring green and blue hues and twinkling warm white fairy lights, along with some out-of-focus brown pinecones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular brewed chai tea instead of chai concentrate?

Yes, you can brew strong chai tea and use it in place of chai concentrate, but you may need to adjust the quantities to maintain the rich flavor and creaminess.

How can I froth milk without a frother?

You can warm the milk or half and half and then whisk it vigorously by hand, or pour it into a tightly sealed jar and shake vigorously until foamy. Cold foam can be made by chilling the milk before frothing in the same way.

Christmas Morning Chai Dutch Bros Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 125 reviews

Warm up your holiday mornings with this cozy Christmas Morning Chai inspired by Dutch Bros. This delightful chai drink combines spiced chai tea concentrate with creamy half and half, luscious white chocolate sauce, and a festive sprinkle of fresh nutmeg. Perfect served hot or iced, topped with whipped cream and extra white chocolate drizzle for an indulgent holiday treat.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chai Base

3/4 cup Chai Tea Concentrate (Oregon Chai or your preferred brand)
6 ounces water (if using instant chai packets)

Dairy

⅓ – ½ cup half and half
Whipped cream (for topping)

Syrups and Spices

1–2 tablespoons white chocolate sauce (some for swirling inside the cup, some to stir in)
Nutmeg, freshly grated (for garnish)

Instructions

Heat the Chai Concentrate: On the stovetop, pour the desired amount of chai concentrate into a small saucepan and heat until it simmers gently and becomes hot. Alternatively, warm the chai in a mug using a microwave. If using instant chai packets, boil 6 ounces of water, then stir in the instant chai mix until fully dissolved.
Froth the Half and Half: While the chai heats, warm the half and half either on the stovetop or in a frother until hot but not boiling. For hot chai, use warm frothing; for an iced version, froth the half and half cold if you have a cold foam frother, or follow alternative frothing methods if not.
Add White Chocolate Sauce: Squirt white chocolate sauce inside the mug or glass, swirling it around the sides to create a decadent coating. Then pour the hot chai concentrate into the mug and stir in some white chocolate sauce to sweeten and enrich the flavor.
Assemble the Drink: Pour the heated frothed half and half over the chai in the mug, adding the foam on top. For iced preparation, fill the glass with ice cubes before pouring the chai concentration and frothed half and half. Add extra white chocolate drizzle if desired.
Garnish and Serve: Finish by topping the drink with a generous swirl of whipped cream, a fresh grating of nutmeg, and an additional drizzle of white chocolate sauce. Serve immediately for the best flavor and warmth.

Notes

To froth half and half without a frother, vigorously whisk heated half and half or shake it in a tightly sealed jar until foamy.
Freshly grated nutmeg enhances the aroma and festive appeal more than pre-ground nutmeg.
Adjust the amount of white chocolate sauce according to your preferred sweetness level.
The drink can be enjoyed hot or iced, making it versatile for any holiday weather.

Keywords: Christmas chai, Dutch Bros chai recipe, holiday chai latte, white chocolate chai, festive chai drink, hot chai, iced chai