Almond Cashew Chai Latte: A Creamy, Dairy-Free Recipe You'll Crave All Season

• Nut butter replaces dairy — Spread The Love Almond Cashew POWER Butter melts into warm almond milk for natural creaminess, protein, and healthy fats
• Ready in 10 minutes — simmer, steep, pour
• Clean-label ingredients only — No seed oils, no artificial anything.

At Spread The Love Foods, we're a woman-founded, minority-owned food company based in Los Angeles. We've been making clean-label, USDA Organic nut butters since 2013 — and this recipe is one of our favorite ways to show that nut butter belongs in more than just sandwiches.

Most homemade chai lattes rely on heavy cream or flavored syrups for that coffee-shop body. This recipe takes a different approach:

Spread The Love Almond Cashew POWER Butter dissolves directly into warm almond milk, adding:

• Natural creaminess without dairy
• Plant-based protein and healthy fats from almonds and cashews
• Omega-3s and fiber from flax and chia seeds
• No artificial thickeners, no added sugars

Combined with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, the result is a latte that's genuinely creamy, warming, and packed with whole-food nutrition.

Total Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 2 lattes

• 2 cups almond milk (unsweetened works best)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ⅛ tsp nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp allspice
• ⅛ tsp ground cloves
• 2 tbsp Spread The Love Almond Cashew POWER Butter 
• 2 tsp pure maple syrup (plus more to taste)
• 2 black tea bags
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Pro Tip: Almond Cashew POWER Butter blends almonds and cashews with flax and chia for added omega-3s and fiber. It's what makes this latte feel like a proper snack, not just a drink.

✔ Step 1 - Warm and Simmer

Add the almond milk, cinnamon sticks, all ground spices, and the POWER Butter to a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. The nut butter will melt and emulsify into the milk as it heats, creating a rich, creamy texture.

✔ Step 2 - Steep the Tea

Remove from heat. Stir in the maple syrup and vanilla extract, then drop in the black tea bags. Let steep for 3 minutes — don't squeeze the bags when you remove them, as that releases bitter tannins.

✔ Step 3 - Serve and Enjoy

Pour into two mugs and top with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon. For a coffee-shop finish, add a splash of steamed or frothed almond milk on top.

Can you put almond butter in a chai latte?

Yes. Almond butter (or almond cashew butter) dissolves beautifully into warm milk, creating a naturally creamy, protein-rich latte. It's one of the best dairy-free ways to get thick, frothy texture without cream or artificial thickeners. Add 1 tablespoon per cup of warm milk and stir as it simmers.

Is this chai latte dairy-free and vegan?

Yes. This recipe uses almond milk and nut butter instead of dairy, making it 100% dairy-free and vegan. It's sweetened with pure maple syrup (no honey, no refined sugar) and is also naturally gluten-free.

Does this chai latte have caffeine?

It has moderate caffeine from the black tea bags — roughly 25–50 mg per serving, compared to 95 mg in a cup of coffee. For a caffeine-free version, swap in decaf black tea or rooibos chai bags.

What spices are in a traditional chai latte?

Traditional masala chai includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and sometimes black pepper or star anise. This recipe uses cinnamon sticks, ground cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves for a warm, aromatic blend.

What is Spread The Love POWER Butter?

POWER Butter is Spread The Love's signature almond cashew blend — dry-roasted almonds and cashews with flax seeds, chia seeds, and a touch of palm fruit oil. It's gluten-free and made with no seed oils or artificial ingredients. The flax and chia add omega-3s and fiber, making it ideal for lattes, smoothies, and oatmeal.

Can I make this iced?

Absolutely. Prepare as directed, let the mixture cool to room temperature, then pour over a full glass of ice. You can also blend with ice for a frothy iced chai smoothie.

• Sweeter: Add an extra teaspoon of maple syrup or a drizzle of raw honey (if not strictly vegan)
• Spicier: Add a pinch of black pepper or fresh ginger while simmering
• Different milk: Oat milk and coconut milk both work well — oat gives the richest froth
• Different butter: Spread The Love NAKED Organic Peanut Butter or BASIC Cashew Butter also works beautifully
• Batch prep: Double the spiced milk and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat and steep fresh tea bags when ready.