It’s me, Hi I’m the problem it’s me, is what my wallet wishes it could sing to me as I place yet another Starbucks pick-up order. The order is always the same for me this time of year, a grande Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai.
As a self-proclaimed chai enthusiast, I am thoroughly obsessed with Starbucks’s fall menu, specifically their Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai. The pumpkin cold foam is heavenly and worth every penny in my opinion. The sad thing is, I have no pennies left to give. My favorite drink is a lofty $6.27 after taxes at my local Starbucks. That is a wild price to pay for a drink that I basically chug in a singular minute (I am not a sipper). After examining my bank account, I decided there had to be a way to make this delicious drink at home for cheaper. After hours of research on the internet and several tiktoks watched I have finally perfected my at home recipe for Starbucks’s Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai.
What You Came for – The recipe
What you need: Chai concentrate, your chosen milk/alternative, heavy whipping cream, pumpkin sauce or puree, frother or handheld mixer, pumpkin pie spice
- Find your favorite Chai concentrate
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I have been using the TAZO skinny chai concentrate, but I recently tried Oregon Chai brand concentrate. I have heard that Trader Joe’s has a good chai concentrate as well. Any concentrate will do, just make sure it’s cold!
- Select your milk
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I personally use almond milk, but I know that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. You can use any type of milk you want.
- Prep your cold foam
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Cold Foam is really simple to make as long as you have a frother or handheld mixer.
How to make cold foam (by measuring with your heart): Add heavy whipping cream to a small cup with a dash of vanilla syrup (I like Torani) and froth until your desired thickness.
How to make pumpkin cold foam (by measuring with your heart): Add heavy whipping cream to a small cup with a dash of pumpkin pie syrup or pumpkin puree and froth until your desired thickness. Top with or mix in pumpkin pie spice.
Tip: Make the cold foam before you mix the drink and store it in the fridge!
- Create your drink!
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The drink is a 1 to 1 ratio, so equal parts chai and equal parts milk. If you like your chai stronger add less milk to your drink. If you find your chai tasting too bitter a helpful hint is to add a dash of vanilla coffee creamer to your drink. Once you have taste-tested your drink and mixed it together, top with your cold foam and pumpkin pie spice!
From one chai enthusiast to another, enjoy your drink!
