Chai is an all-powerful, popular Indian staple – enjoyed on any occasion, at any time of day. Why not spice up your wedding reception with your favorite comfort drink? Tea-infused liqueurs are popular in many Asian-inspired drinks, such as green tea liqueur mixed with lychee juice for a yummy cocktail.
Chai flavored liqueurs can be found at specialty liquor stores and come in a creamy, smooth texture that can be mixed with Bailey's or topped with milk for a delicious kickback.
But for more versatile, harder drinks, chai-infused vodka is an easy DIY liquor that will leave your guests with a familiar, yet tantalizing taste!
Enjoy your DIY chai-infused vodka as a “Brown Russian” – shared below!
DIY Chai-Infused Vodka
Ingredients:
(Recipe makes enough for 2 drinks)
1 tsp CTC (crushed, pelletized) chai tea leaves
200 mL of choice vodka
1/2 tsp of cane sugar
A pinch of tea masala
Prep Time: 5 mins, Total Time: 10 hours 5 mins
How To:
1. Prepare a glass or jar with 200 mL of vodka.
2. Add the tea leaves, sugar, and tea masala to the vodka. Mix thoroughly.
3. Cover the mixture with aluminum foil or tightly screw the cap onto a jar. Make sure that the vodka is protected from freezer burn or outside contaminants.
4. Leave the covered mixture in a dry area, or inside your refrigerator for at least 10 hours.
5. Once the chai mixture has been given enough time to infuse into the vodka, strain the mixture to separate the solids from the vodka.
6. Mix the chai-infused vodka with your favorite mixer, drink on its own, or keep reading for cocktail inspirations!
Cocktail Inspiration:
1. “Brown Russian” – Mix your chai liqueur with milk for a creamy, white Russian – with an Indian twist! Feel free to use vanilla soy milk, almond milk, or any flavor you prefer.
To make this drink, shake your ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 2-3 ice cubes and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with cinnamon or vanilla sticks.
2. Chai Appletini – Love autumn for all its bold, crisp flavors? Go all out with a chai-infused appletini! To make this drink, muddle a few Gala apples into a slushy consistency.
Then, add 1.5 oz. of chai-infused vodka, 1.5 oz. of your favorite apple cider, and 1 tbsp. of honey into a cocktail shaker. Shake thoroughly, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an apple peel or slice. Frothy and delicious!
3. Dirty Chai Tea Cocktail – Need a soothing drink to warm and relax you and your guests after a long ceremony? Try a creamy latte with a splash of chai-infused vodka!
Prepare a latte as you normally would, with a shot of espresso and hot milk – you may want to add 1/2 tsp. of loose chai leaves to the milk while it's steaming to give it more of a chai-tea flavor (remember to strain out the tea leaves!)
Mix the espresso, hot milk, and 1.5 oz of room temperature chai-infused vodka in a mug and stir thoroughly. Garnish with mint leaves or a cinnamon stick.
What are some chai-infused creations you'd like to try?