Apple Cinnamon Tea Latte

This tea latte is the perfect warm and cozy fall drink infused with real apple flavor, cinnamon and honey. Make it with just a few simple ingredients and feel like a barista!

There are very few things that excite me about the end of summer, but if I’m trying to stay positive about the onset of colder weather and force myself to list at least one bright side, it would be tea season.

Every night from about September through May (because unfortunately, that’s how long cold weather lasts sticks around in upstate New York), you can find me on the couch with a mug of tea in hand. 

Sometimes it’s something as simple as steeping a bag of chamomile in some hot water, other times it’s this delicious apple cider tea and here and there, when I’m feeling up to the task of making something else on the stove after cleaning up dinner, it’s a tea latte. 

I don’t remember when it dawned on me that lattes didn’t just have to involve coffee and there was no reason I couldn’t apply the same concept to tea, but I’m happy it did.

As far as I’m concerned, Starbucks can keep it’s PSLs and overpriced sugar bomb drinks. I’ll happily make my own tea latte at home, save a few bucks and flavor my drinks with real whole foods instead of artificially flavored syrups. 

Staying home also means I can pair this apple cinnamon tea latte with some air fryer apple crisp for the ultimate fall vibe.

What Is a Tea Latte?

Lattes are typically espresso with steamed milk. A tea latte has the same cozy, creamy vibe, it just uses brewed tea instead of espresso and typically adds a touch of sweetness with something like honey or maple syrup. 

Unlike regular tea, which is simply tea leaves steeped in hot water, a tea latte adds milk to create the rich and smooth texture you love in a latte. Tea lattes contain less caffeine than regular lattes so they’re a great option for a night-time ritual.

You can make a tea latte with various types of tea, such as any black tea, green tea, or herbal tea varieties. 

What to Love About Apple Cinnamon Tea Latte

You’ll love this apple cinnamon tea latte for its comforting and warm flavor that perfectly captures the essence of fall. The hint of apple and cinnamon blends perfectly with the creamy almond milk creating a flavored drink that uses wholesome ingredients without the need for syrups. The balance of sweetness from the honey and the natural apple flavor makes each sip feel like you stepped out of your favorite coffee shop. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

Brewed chamomile tea: This forms the base of the latte. I like to use a honey and vanilla flavored chamomile tea, but you can also swap this out for black tea or Earl Grey — both flavors would still work well in this latte.

Apple: A whole fresh apple gets blended into the latte and adds a natural sweetness and real flavor to the hot drink.

Cinnamon: Using warming spices like cinnamon complements the apple flavor of this tea latte. You can also add other spices like nutmeg, cardamom or cloves if you like.

Almond milk: Creates the creamy decadence in the latte. Any type of milk can be used here.

Honey: Sweetens the latte to taste and can be replaced with maple syrup if preferred.

How to Make the Best Tea Latte

Start by simmering the cinnamon, almond milk and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. This infuses the milk with a warm, spicy flavor. 

Meanwhile, blend the brewed tea with a chopped sweet apple until smooth. Pour the apple-tea mixture into your mugs and then top with the hot milk mixture. If you want to add an extra touch of cinnamon, consider stirring in a cinnamon stick for a more intense flavor. 

How to Froth Milk For a Hot Tea Latte

If you prefer to froth the milk for the latte, you’ll still want to simmer it with the cinnamon and honey first in a sauce pot. Once it’s simmered for about 5 minutes and the flavors have infused the milk, turn off the heat and immediately froth the milk using one of the methods below, don’t wait for the milk to cool.

Manual Whisking

Use a whisk to froth the milk manually. This approach takes a bit of elbow grease and a few minutes.

Milk Frother

A handheld milk frother is an easy and inexpensive tool for creating frothy milk. Simply heat the milk and then use the frother to mix until a creamy foam develops. Electric milk frothers are another option and a bit more ideal since they automatically whip the milk to a silky froth, in less time.

French Press

Pour heated milk into a French press. Pump the plunger up and down to froth the milk, then pour the foam over your latte.

Variations

You can easily customize this tea latte in a variety of ways:

• Simple syrup or maple syrup: Swap honey for simple syrup or maple syrup to adjust the sweetness level to your liking.
• Spices: Add a dash of nutmeg or a mix of spices like cloves, ginger and cardamom pods to deepen the fall flavors.
• Lavender syrup: For a floral twist, replace honey with lavender syrup.
• Brown sugar: If you prefer a richer sweetness, use brown sugar instead of honey for a deeper flavor.
• Shot of espresso: For a caffeinated boost, add a shot of espresso to make it a hybrid coffee-tea drink.
• Star anise or black peppercorns: Infuse the latte with star anise or a few crushed black peppercorns for an extra layer and depth of flavor.

Other Tea Latte Recipes

This apple cinnamon tea latte is perfect for fall and a great substitute for all the pumpkin madness, but there are plenty of other directions you can go with a tea latte. Here are some classics:

London Fog: This is a cozy blend of Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. It’s a coffee house staple and if you love the flavor of bergamot, you’ll love this drink.

Masala Chai: This spiced chai tea latte features a blend of black tea and aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, combined with milk for a rich, warming treat.

Matcha Lattes: Made with vibrant green matcha powder and steamed milk, this type of latte offers a smooth, slightly sweet flavor and a boost of antioxidants.

Dirty Chai: A fusion of spicy chai tea and a shot of espresso, creating a bold, energizing latte with a kick of coffee. If you like dirty chai, try our dirty chia pudding.

Iced Tea Latte: If you’re someone who prefers cold drinks, this refreshing version combines brewed tea with cold milk and ice and is great for the warmer months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best tea to use?

For a rich and flavorful tea latte, use chamomile tea for a calming effect, or opt for black or green teas for a stronger base. The choice depends on your flavor preference and desired caffeine level.

What’s the best milk to use for a tea latte?

Almond milk is a great choice for a dairy-free option, offering a light, nutty flavor. Whole milk provides a creamy texture and rich taste. Choose the milk based on your dietary needs and preferred taste, any type will work in a latte.