Cozy Chai Tea Sipper
Whether serving it hot or poured over ice, this boozy chai tea cocktail is soothing on a chilly Fall day. A delightful blend of chai tea, honey, cinnamon and Kahlua, Cozy Chai Tea Sipper is a tasty, inviting drink that will warm you through and through.
What is Chai Tea?
Originating from India, chai tea is a combination of warm, spicy flavors, like ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves. These are all spices that make a warm, soothing cup of tea that is a treat to drink poured over ice in warmer months, but usually served hot with sugar and cream during the fall and winter.
I have loved chai tea for a long time. For a recent gathering with friends, I turned my favorite tea into a boozy cocktail. I added Kahlua and honey to hot mugs of chai tea and milk. “This is so rich and delicious,” remarked a friend. “It is comforting and warms you from the inside out.”
What is Kahlua?
The richness of this cocktail comes from Kahlua. Arabica coffee beans, sugar, vanilla and rum are blended together to make this coffee liqueur, a dark blend of flavors coming from Mexico since the 1930’s. Kahlua is commonly used to make drinks including the White Russian and the Espresso Martini.
The warm spicy flavors of the chai tea blend perfectly with the richness of the Kahlua. The honey adds a bit of sweetness to balance out the slightly bitter taste of the coffee liqueur in the Kahlua. The result is a rich, warm blend of creamy goodness. Coffee and tea lovers alike will enjoy this hot sipper.
It is simple to make. Boil some water and milk and add your tea bags. Steep the tea for ten minutes before adding the rest of your ingredients. If desired, pour the mixture over ice. I like it best when served steaming hot in a festive holiday mug.
Have some fun when garnishing this cozy winter sipper. A cinnamon stick, some whipped cream, and a pinch of crystalized ginger will add some extra warmth. Serve the cocktail with gingersnap cookies for an inviting after dinner indulgence.
Cozy Chai Tea Sipper Recipe
Makes 2 servings.
What’s needed?
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 chai tea bags
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 ounces Kahlua
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (or coffee creamer)
Stir-Ins:
- cinnamon sticks
- whipped cream
- pinch of nutmeg
- crystalized ginger
How to make a Cozy Chai Tea Sipper?
- In a small saucepan, heat the water and milk to boiling.
- Turn the heat off and add the cinnamon sticks and tea bags to the saucepan, steep the tea for 10 minutes.
- Add the vanilla, Kahlua, honey and heavy cream. Heat just until warm.
- Pour into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Recipe makes two drinks.
This article and my recipe for Cozy Chai Tea Sipper was originally published in the spirit section of South Brunswick Magazine for the Winter 2023 edition. I contribute a cocktail recipe regularly for SBM on a quarterly basis. It’s a tasty job! Be sure to look for more original drinks and cocktails as I share them here.
Cozy Chai Tea Sipper
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 chai tea bags
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 ounces Kahlua
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, or coffee creamer
Stir-ins:
- cinnamon sticks
- whipped cream
- pinch of nutmeg
- crystalized ginger
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the water and milk to boiling.
- Turn the heat off and add the cinnamon sticks and tea bags to the saucepan, steep the tea for 10 minutes.
- Add the vanilla, Kahlua, honey and heavy cream. Heat just until warm. Pour into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Recipe makes two drinks.
Equipment
- 1 small saucepan