Holiday Tea Lattes: Vanilla-Cookie Matcha and Gingerbread Chai

About these recipes: researched, not yet tested

These two lattes are built from standard brewing ratios and common latte methods, not from our own kitchen tests. We haven't made these exact versions yet, so treat the amounts as a sensible starting point and adjust strength and sweetness to your taste. For the basics behind both drinks, see our guide to tea lattes you can make without a machine.

Vanilla-cookie matcha latte

Starting recipe: sift 2 g matcha and whisk with 60 ml water at 175°F (80°C) until smooth. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon sugar or maple syrup, then top with 180 ml steamed or frothed milk.

Matcha is a powder that suspends in water, so there is nothing to strain. Culinary-grade matcha is a sensible choice here since milk and sweetener soften its rougher edges. New to matcha? Our matcha starter set guide covers the whisk and bowl.

• Sift the matcha so it doesn't clump, then whisk with the warm water.
• Add vanilla and sweetener to the base, not the milk.
• Taste before adding more sweetener; milk softens perceived sweetness.

Caramel-gingerbread chai latte

Starting recipe: brew 5 g loose-leaf chai (spiced black tea) in 100 ml water at 203°F (95°C) for 4 minutes, then strain completely. Stir in 2 teaspoons caramel sauce or brown sugar and a small pinch of ground ginger and cinnamon, then add 200 ml hot milk.

Chai is loose-leaf tea, so it needs a strainer or basket infuser and a longer steep than matcha. Brewing the leaves in water first, rather than straight in milk, gives a stronger base.

• Brew and fully strain the chai base.
• Dissolve caramel or sugar in the hot base before adding milk.
• Adjust spice and sweetness in small steps, tasting between each.

Simple equipment

You don't need an espresso machine. A kettle, a mug, a strainer or infuser for the chai, and a whisk or small handheld frother for the matcha are enough. Heat milk gently on the stove or in the microwave and froth it in a jar if you like a foamier top.