Crafting Perfect Masala Chai Cocktails

Masala chai. We’re sorry, let us correct that. Kadak masala chai is a staple in every desi household. It’s made from black tea, milk, a blend of spices, and sugar (sugarless chai is not a thing. Don’t convince us otherwise). You don’t need a specific time of the day to opt for chai, it’s a day-round remedy.

The same is true with liquor (vacation-us love to go for breakfast mimosas). While chai provides homely comfort, alcohol is a formula to keep loose. Imagine the mixture of these two. A recipe for total tranquility. So why not combine the two and make some iconic drinks for your next house party or a nostalgic vacation!

Cocktail Recipes with Masala Chai

1. Masala Chai Martini
2. Masala Chai Toddy
3. Masala Tea Punch
4. Chai Old Fashioned
5. Masala Chai Sour
6. Chai Tea White Russian
7. Chai Spiced Apple Cider Cocktail

1. Masala Chai Martini

Martini is a simple and elegant drink of the sophisticated. Add a little spice to it. Masala chai spices pair well and elevate the taste of a martini. Without nullifying the essence of a martini, you just created a refreshing balance between sweet chai and bitter vodka.

Masala chai martini relies on spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and cardamom powder. Pair this drink with some Indian snacks. We suggest samosas.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. masala chai
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• ½ oz. lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• 1 peppercorn
• Cinnamon powder and 1 star anise for garnish

How To Make Masala Chai Martini

1. Brew your best cup of masala chai. Keep it aside till it cools.
2. Add all the spices, vodka, lemon juice, syrup, and chai in a cocktail shaker.
3. Add ice and shake vigorously. The shaker should feel chilled.
4. Use a strainer to pour the drink into a martini glass.
5. Garnish with a star anise and cinnamon powder. Serve!

2. Masala Chai Toddy

Feeling sick? Use this as an excuse to try the Masala Chai Toddy that is infused with spices like cloves and ginger and is served hot, hot, hot!

This cocktail is made with all your home remedies mixed into one. It’s a lemony cocktail so hold back the milk. It’s a perfect drink for wintry nights.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. water
• ½ tsp. tea leaves
• 1 oz. cognac
• ½ inch of ginger
• 2 cloves
• 1 tsp. honey
• Few mint leaves
• Dried lemon slice for garnish

How To Make Masala Chai Toddy

1. Boil water and add ginger, cloves, and mint leaves in a saucepan.
2. Add tea leaves and bring it to your desired tea strength.
3. Pour cognac and tea mixture into a cognac glass.
4. Add honey and mix.
5. Dress it up with dried lemons and viola!

Also Read: Hot Toddy Cocktails To Try On National Hot Toddy Day

3. Masala Tea Punch

This one requires you to brew your strongest chai ever. Make it as strong as your urge to sleep in on a cozy winter Monday morning. The taste for this punch is solely dependent on your spice preferences. We suggest some vanilla extract and black peppercorns to do the trick.

Masala Tea Punch can be served both hot and cold. The recipe can get a little long, so follow carefully. If you see the ingredient grapefruit, don’t be alarmed. It’s not a typing error. This cocktail has got ‘punch’ in the name. You really think it won’t have a fruity flavor to it.

Ingredients

For chai concentrate:

• 3 black cardamom
• 5 green cardamom
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 peppercorns
• 3 cloves
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 peels of grapefruit
• ½ inch of fresh ginger
• 16 oz. water
• 6 oz. granulated sugar
• ½ oz. black tea

For the cocktail:

• 1 ½ oz. spiced rum
• 4 oz. hot milk
• Nutmeg for garnish

How To Make Masala Tea Punch

1. Prepare the chai concentrate by boiling water with all the spices, tea, ginger, and grapefruit. Keep the heat low.
2. After about 20 minutes of boiling, turn the heat off and add vanilla extract. 
3. Separate all the spice from the spiced tea.
4. To turn this into a syrup, add sugar to the liquid and mix well. The liquid will thicken.
5. You can now store this syrup.
6. To make the punch, add the rum, milk, and 1 ⅓ oz. of chai syrup. Stir well.
7. Garnish with some nutmeg and you’re done.

4. Chai Old Fashioned

One of the classiest drinks on this list, the Chai Old Fashioned does not disappoint. Like a regular Old Fashioned, this one is made from a good bourbon and some chai concentrate.

This recipe requires you to purchase the chai concentrate from your nearest grocery store. If that’s not available, you can make your own chai concentrate by boiling tea leaves, with honey and vanilla extract. You can add some spices as well. The homier the better, isn’t it?

Use a spherical ice ball when you serve because that’s how you recognise a skillfully made Old Fashioned.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. bourbon
• 2 oz. chai syrup
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• Orange bitters
• Sparkling water to top
• Star anise and cinnamon stick for garnish

How To Make Chai Old Fashioned

1. Combine bourbon, chai syrup, lemon juice, and orange bitters in a cocktail shaker.
2. Use a strainer to pour the mixture into glass. Add ice cubes and sparkling water.
3. Garnish with cinnamon stick and star anise. Serve fresh!

Also Read: Old Fashioned Recipes And Variations

5. Masala Chai Sour

Egg and chai? Oh, the sky has fallen. That was our first thought as well. But who knew that masala chai sour would be a recurring drink choice after the first sip.

This cocktail lets you be creative and really challenges your mixology skills to the test. But we are quite firm that you’ll ace it! To really bring the presentation home, add a fuming star anise as garnish and serve this smoking hot cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. whiskey
• ⅔ oz. masala chai syrup
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• Cranberry or orange bitters
• Star anise for garnish

How To Make Masala Chai Sour

1. Add whiskey, chai syrup, lemon juice, egg white, and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well. The egg needs to emulsify (it should look frothy).
2. Pour the mixture in a glass through a strainer, while keeping the froth alive.
3. Garnish with star anise and set the edge on fire. It really brings out the best it can offer.

6. Chai Tea White Russian

The Indian blood must boil at the name. We know chai tea translates to ‘tea tea’ but please bear with us because this cocktail is far from lunacy if you ignore the American name styling.

Chai “tea” White Russian is made of simply four ingredients. It takes a lazy vodka shot and dives into an energetic chai. It’s also got hints of coffee so it forms a good balance between caffeine and alcohol. You can also consider leaning more towards the former side if you’re a caffeine addict!

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 tea bag
• 1 oz. coffee flavored liqueur
• 1 oz. milk
• Cinnamon stick
• Star anise and cinnamon powder for garnish

How To Make Chai Tea White Russian

1. Use vodka with a tea bag and cinnamon stick. Let it sit in a pitcher for 2 hours before cocktail preparation.
2. Remove the bag and add coffee liqueur and milk. Stir well and keep the pitcher in the fridge till you are ready to serve.
3. Garnish with cinnamon powder and star anise. This drink is served chilled so add ice when you serve.

Also Read: 7 Coffee Cocktails To Keep You Alert

7. Chai Spiced Apple Cider Cocktail

By far, the most creative one we have heard of, chai spiced apple cider, is what happens when you get too curious about mixing. But we can’t complain too much because the results are worthwhile.

The reason it works so well is because apple cider is already spiced and forms a complementary pairing with chai. It is usually served cold but if you’re looking for a delicious and warm cocktail, why not experiment with this one.

Forget your usual winter choices, this one has plowed its way to victory. Swap the cocktail glasses with chai cups and you’re good to go.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. rum
• 2 oz. apple cider (the non-alcoholic one)
• 2 oz. chai concentrate (use the one from the masala tea punch recipe)
• 1 oz. brandy (optional)
• Star anise for garnish

How To Make Chai Spiced Apple Cider Cocktail

1. Simply mix the ingredients and stir well with some ice.
2. Pour the chilled mixture into serving cups.
3. Serve with star anise on top.

Also Read: What Is Cider? A Complete Guide

Summing Up

Now that you have witnessed the coolest cocktails, it’s just a matter of time that your cozy masala chai will have a fun party trick up its sleeve. Don’t limit your skills to following the exact recipe. After all, mixology is all about discovering a new favorite by adding a little twist. Heads up, these cocktails can get a little hot!

FAQs

What Alcohol Goes Good With Chai Tea?

There are a lot of cocktails that can be made with chai tea. The most popular pairings are rum, brandy, cognac, and whiskey.

Can We Drink Tea With Alcohol?

It is advised not to mix caffeinated beverages with alcohol due to its opposing natures. However, some cocktails with a mix of tea and alcohol are safe to drink.

Can I Drink Chai After Beer?

Chai has caffeine and mixing it with alcohol can be harmful to your body. Caffeine raises your heart rate and can cause some trouble if consumed after alcohol. It’s best to stay clear.

Is Tea And Whiskey Good Together?

Whiskey has offered a lot of cocktails throughout history due to its compatible nature. A few of the unique cocktails are Chai Whiskey Sour, Cinnamon Whiskey Chai, and Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned.

Can You Drink Masala Chai Everyday?

Yes, you can drink 2 cups of masala chai every day, without it being harmful to your health. Caffeinated beverages are safe to consume in moderation. Keeping that in mind, the sugar content of chai can be harmful to some if consumed more than average.

What Drink Is Similar To Masala Chai?

The closest type of tea to masala chai is ginger tea. Kashmiri chai also falls in the vicinity.