Iced Cherry Chai Latte: A Sweet & Spiced Summer Sensation

The Unexpected Harmony of Cherry and Chai

What Does an Iced Cherry Chai Latte Taste Like?

Imagine the bold, warming spice of chai meeting the sweet-tart zing of cherries now chill it with ice and mellow it with creamy oat milk. That’s the iced cherry chai latte in a nutshell. The rich cinnamon and cardamom notes from the chai concentrate find a playful contrast in the fruity cherry syrup. The result is a vibrant yet comforting drink that’s sweet, spicy, and slightly floral with a cool finish.

Whether you’re relaxing at home or grabbing a quick pick-me-up, an iced cherry chai latte delivers a flavor that’s both unexpected and unforgettable.

Flavor Profile Breakdown:

If you’re someone who loves trying unique twists on classic drinks, this combo delivers a refreshing surprise. It’s both soothing and energizing a tea-based treat that satisfies like a dessert.

What’s in a Cherry Chai Latte?

Core Ingredients: Simple, Satisfying, and Surprising

To make your own iced cherry chai latte at home, you’ll only need a few staple ingredients, but the payoff is big flavor. This drink comes together in under 10 minutes and offers a sweet-spicy escape from your usual cold brew routine.

Here’s what goes into a standard homemade version:

Base Latte

• ½ cup Stash Double Spice Chai Concentrate – A robust, spiced tea base with intense flavors of cinnamon, clove, and cardamom
• ½ cup oatmilk (or milk of your choice) – Oatmilk offers a creamy, plant-based richness that balances the spice
• 1–2 teaspoons cherry syrup – Homemade syrup adds fruity brightness
• Ice – Keeps it cool, crisp, and refreshing

DIY Cherry Cold Foam (Optional, but recommended!)

• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp cherry syrup
• Froth until thick and dreamy this layer adds a luxurious texture and aromatic cherry top note

Optional Cherry Crunch Topping

• A simple mix of crushed freeze-dried cherries and sugar gives this latte a visually stunning, Instagram-worthy finish and a fun crunch with every sip

Homemade Cherry Syrup: The Star Ingredient

You only need three ingredients:

• ½ cup frozen cherries
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup sugar

Just simmer them together for 8–10 minutes, mash, strain, and chill. You’ll get a gorgeous ruby-red syrup that’s versatile, flavorful, and free from additives.

Helpful Hack: Freeze extra syrup in an ice cube tray to have single-serving portions ready anytime you need a fruity flavor boost!

Do Cherry and Chai Go Together?

Flavor Chemistry: Why It Works

At first glance, cherry and chai might seem like an odd couple but in an iced cherry chai latte, they blend beautifully. The warm spice base of chai finds an energetic partner in cherry’s natural tartness, making this drink far more than a seasonal gimmick.

Baristas and home brewers alike are starting to see the magic of this combo. The iced cherry chai latte is becoming a fast favorite for anyone who enjoys adventurous flavor pairings similar to fruit and spice combinations found in modern savory dishes.

• Chai’s Spice Profile: Warm notes from cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and ginger form a spicy base that’s naturally enhanced by sweetness and tartness.
• Cherry’s Profile: Cherries bring a fruity, slightly sour brightness that cuts through the heaviness of cream or milk and lifts the deeper spice tones.

Together, they strike a sweet-spicy balance that’s bold yet refreshing. It’s like a cherry pie meeting a mug of chai unexpected, but totally irresistible.

Pairing in Practice: Barista-Tested, Crowd-Approved

Baristas often pair fruits with spice in seasonal drinks think apple cinnamon, orange cardamom, or even spiced cranberry. Cherry fits this family beautifully.

In blind taste tests across popular food blogs and TikTok beverage trends, the cherry-chai combo rated high for “addictiveness” and “surprise delight.” It’s the kind of drink you didn’t know you needed until you tried it.

Fun Tip: If you like your drinks more dessert-like, ask for (or make) a double cherry syrup version with whipped topping. It transforms this into a gourmet-style treat.

Does Starbucks Iced Cherry Chai Have Caffeine?

Short Answer: Yes, It Definitely Does

If you’re wondering whether a Starbucks iced cherry chai latte will give you that much-needed energy boost the answer is yes. Chai tea, whether from Starbucks or a homemade concentrate, is made from black tea, which naturally contains caffeine.

Here’s a quick caffeine breakdown:

Add cherry syrup and milk? That won’t change the caffeine content it simply adds flavor and texture.

A grande (16 oz) iced cherry chai latte has about 95 mg of caffeine less than a brewed coffee, but enough to give you a nice energy boost.

How It Compares to Coffee

For reference, a typical 16 oz brewed coffee from Starbucks has about 310 mg of caffeine. That means a grande iced cherry chai latte has less than one-third the caffeine of a regular coffee, making it a solid mid-day option when you want a little lift without the jitters.

Pro Tip: You can ask your barista for a “light chai” or use a decaf chai blend at home if you’re caffeine-sensitive. The cherry flavor still shines great for those seeking caffeine-conscious recipes.

Iced Cherry Chai Latte

A refreshing cherry‑spiced iced chai latte inspired by Starbucks, featuring a homemade cherry vanilla syrup and creamy cherry cold foam.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 7 minutes mins

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Servings 1 latte

Calories 190 kcal

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Milk Frother or Jar and Whisk

Ingredients

  

Cherry Vanilla Simple Syrup

• 2 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3 maraschino cherries plus juice from jar
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Cherry Cold Foam

• 1/4 cup barista‑blend oatmilk chilled
• 1.5 tbsp cherry vanilla simple syrup

Iced Chai Latte

• 1/2 cup chai tea concentrate
• 1/2 cup barista‑blend oatmilk chilled
• 1 handful ice cubes
• 1 tbsp cherry vanilla simple syrup for taste/drizzle

Instructions

 

• Make the cherry vanilla simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine cherry juice, maraschino cherries, sugar and bring to a gentle simmer. Mash cherries and simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly reduced. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, strain into a jar and cool.
• Make the cherry cold foam: In a frother or jar, combine oatmilk and 1½ tbsp cherry syrup. Froth until light and foamy.
• Assemble the latte: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in chai concentrate, then add oatmilk. Gently spoon the cold foam on top, drizzle with extra cherry syrup, and serve immediately.

Notes

Syrup keeps up to 2 weeks refrigerated; cold foam best fresh (re‑froth before using if stored). Use maraschino cherries for best color and flavor; oatmilk barista blend froths best.

Keyword Chai, Cherry, Cold Foam, Vegan

FAQs

The iced cherry chai latte isn’t just another trendy drink it’s a bold and refreshing twist on a classic. With its spiced tea base, creamy milk, and cherry syrup swirl, it brings together the cozy comfort of chai and the playful brightness of fruit. Whether you’re a seasoned tea lover or a curious coffee-shop explorer, this latte is worth sipping slowly on a sunny day.

Better yet, it’s easy to recreate at home. From homemade cherry syrup to DIY cold foam, you don’t need a barista badge to make this drink shine.

Try it once, and you’ll see why the iced cherry chai latte is quickly becoming a fan favorite.