Starbucks Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

One sip of this made-from-scratch version of Starbucks’ iconic holiday Iced Gingerbread Chai, will make you feel like singing Christmas carols even if you are wearing shorts. This spiced drink is so rich and flavorful that no matter what time of year you drink it, you’ll feel like celebrating.

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What makes the Starbucks Iced Gingerbread Chai so good? 

It may be decades since you ate an actual gingerbread man, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the nostalgic taste of childhood once again. Gingerbread iced chai has become a favorite Starbucks holiday drink for lots of folks.

The spiced chai tea goes perfectly with the gingerbread-flavored cold foam on top for a seasonal favorite you can enjoy any time of year! 

Why you are going to love making this at home 

Prices are getting out of hand, and that means everyone is trying to find ways to cut back this holiday season. Spending five bucks or more for a drink at Starbucks is just not going to work for most people’s budget.

But that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the chain’s popular iced chai with gingerbread foam. By making this vegan-friendly Iced Gingerbread Chai recipe at home, you won’t only save money, but you’ll be able to enjoy it any time you want!

Iced chai with gingerbread foam ingredients

For the gingerbread syrup, you’ll need:

• Water
• White granulated sugar
• Dark brown sugar
• Molasses
• Ginger, powdered
• Allspice, powdered
• Nutmeg, powdered
• Cloves, powdered

For the gingerbread-flavored foam, you’ll need:

• Gingerbread syrup
• Oatmilk

You will also need a frother. Check the “Equipment you’ll need” section for suggestions if you don’t already have one. 

For the iced chai, you’ll need:

• Ice 
• Chai concentrate
• Oatmilk
• Gingerbread-flavored foam
• Cinnamon, powdered

Don’t use chai latte in this recipe. You need to go with a chai concentrate. Oregon Chai Original Chai Concentrate is a good option. 

How to make Iced Gingerbread Chai

To make the gingerbread syrup:

1. Add all the ingredients for the syrup to a small saucepan. 
2. Stir well to combine and slowly warm over medium-high heat. 
3. Once the liquid comes to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the syrup thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
4. Cool before using. 

To make the gingerbread foam:

1. Combine two ounces of oatmilk with a tablespoon of gingerbread syrup. Stir well. 
2. Foam the oatmilk using a frother. 

To finish a Starbucks Iced Gingerbread Chai:

1. Fill two-thirds of the serving glass with ice.
2. Pour in the chai concentrate.
3. Add three ounces of oatmilk and stir to combine.
4. Scrape just the foam from the frothed milk and add it to the serving glass. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Equipment you will need

Foaming the oatmilk to use as a topping for this Starbucks holiday drink is a necessary step in this recipe, but you don’t need a fancy espresso machine or even an inexpensive cold milk frother jar to do it. You can pick up a cheap stick frother for less than 10 bucks and a decent one for less than 20, but a French press coffee maker is all you need to try this recipe at home. 

To make the foam with a French press:

1. Add the oatmilk and gingerbread syrup to the French press.
2. Put on the lid and pump the plunger for about 30 seconds. You can do this slowly, but keep it steady. 
3. Add the frothed milk to the iced chai. Be quick because the foam won’t last long. 

What to serve with a Starbucks Iced Gingerbread Chai

Since this drink is already packed with sweet spices, try sticking to simple snacks. Here are three treats that pair well with this Starbucks holiday drink:

Baked Apples. This lower-carb, healthier alternative to apple pie is simple to make and delicious. The spices in this Baked Apple recipe pair well with a gingerbread iced chai, and it’s fancy enough to serve to guests. 

Golden Pound Cake. Pound cake is known for its rich flavor and ability to go with just about anything. This recipe for Golden Pound Cake uses cake mix, so it is super simple to make. Still, with a few additions, it is utterly delicious. 

Almond Cake. This cake lays somewhere between a pound cake and an angel food cake when it comes to texture. With its subtle almond flavor, Scandinavian Almond Cake is definitely a refined dessert that is easy to prepare. 

How to make this ahead 

If you are planning on serving several iced chais with gingerbread foam, you can do most of the prep in advance.

1. Prepare the chai tea as above and transfer it to an airtight container. Put it in the fridge. 
2. Stir together the oatmilk and gingerbread syrup and keep in the fridge. 
3. Foam the gingerbread-flavored oatmilk right before serving. 

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