This Chai Infused Vodka combines all the warm chai spices with the versatility of vodka. Bringing a fun new twist to your favorite vodka cocktails.
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Chai Tea Infused Vodka to Elevate Your Cocktails
Whether you're a seasoned mixologist, a home bar enthusiast, or a newbie to the world of cocktails. This chai vodka infusion will undoubtedly add a touch of aromatic bliss and fun twist to your cocktail creations.
Perfect to use in so many ways like this Chai Apple Martini, Chai White Russian, or use it in place of plain vodka in a Moscow Mule to give it a seasonal twist!
About Vodka
Let's take a moment to appreciate vodka. Known for its neutrality as a spirit, vodka serves as an excellent canvas for infusions. Its clean and crisp nature allows for the absorption of flavors, making it the perfect base for crafting concoctions.
When venturing into infusions, choosing a quality vodka can be a bit confusing. I recommend not using top shelf vodka but you don't want the super cheap stuff either. I recommend finding something right in the middle, I tend to use Tito's for my infusions.
About Chai Tea
Also known as Masala chai originating in India. Chai is made by brewing black tea in milk and water and then sweetening with sugar. Adding aromatic herbs and spices creates masala chai, although chai is often prepared unspiced as well.
In my opinion Americans have our own version of chai tea which has come to mean a flavorful blend of black tea and aromatic spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and ginger.
These spices bring warmth and depth to the infusion. When it comes to choosing chai for your infusion, opt for loose leaf tea over tea bags. Loose leaf chai, with its real spices, imparts a superior and authentic flavor compared to the often artificial flavorings found in tea bags.
Equipment Needed
- Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
- Fine mesh strainer Affiliate Link
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
For this infusion, you'll need:
- Loose Leaf Chai Tea - (or 1 chai tea bag) I personally use New England Chai from 27 Teas.
- Vodka - I like to use Tito's for my infusions but you what you like.
Instructions
Infusion Process
Combine the loose leaf chai tea or chai tea bag with vodka in a glass jar.
Shake the mixture vigorously to ensure the spices from the chai are thoroughly infused into the vodka.
Allow the concoction to rest in a cool, dark place for 12 hours, shaking occasionally to enhance the infusion.
Taste Test and Straining
After 12 hours, perform a taste test to gauge the intensity of the chai flavor. If you feel like it needs a few more hours go ahead and let rest a few more hours.
Use a fine mesh strainer Affiliate Link to separate and remove the chai tea from the vodka.
Storage
Store your chai-infused vodka in a glass jar, ready to be incorporated into your favorite cocktail recipes.
Consider using it as a flavorful alternative to plain vodka to elevate your mixology game.
Tips, Tricks and Questions
Creative Variations
- Experiment with infusion times to tailor the intensity of the chai flavor to your liking. (I will note that if it is left for too long the clove tends to become too overpowering, so be careful if you let it infuse longer than 12 hours.)
- Try different loose leaf chai blends for a customized infusion that suits your taste buds. Different tea blends will all have a little bit different flavors. Some chai tea blends will have an added vanilla flavor or pumpkin spice flavor!
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. You can even triple the recipe! Just use 1 tablespoon of loose leaf chai to 1 cup (8 ounces) of vodka. One cup of infused vodka will make about 4 drinks.
What are the spices typically found in chai?
The spices found in chai are usually cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, clove, black pepper, and ginger. This can vary depending on who makes the tea some varieties also have star anise pod, allspice, nutmeg, and vanilla.
How long should you infuse vodka?
For this chai infused vodka recipe we will want to infuse the vodka for 12 hours.
Does infused vodka need to be refrigerated?
No it does not, but it is best stored in a dark cool place.
Some mixology ideas:
- Mix with ginger beer or better yet use in a Moscow Mule for a fun twist.
- Combine with vanilla vodka for even more flavor.
- Add a dash to your favorite hot chocolate, I so happen to have a single serve hot cocoa recipe you can use.
Chai Infused Vodka
Take your vodka up a notch with this infusion of chai tea with vodka, twist up all of your favorite vodka drinks into a warming chai flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon loose leaf chai tea*
- 8 ounces (1 cup) vodka
Instructions
- Add the chai tea and vodka to a glass jar. Shake vigoursly. Store in a cool dark place for 12 hours (see note), if you can shake occasionally.
- After 12 hours give it a little taste to make sure you are happy with the infusion. Use a fine mesh strainer to strain out the tea. Store the chai infused vodka in a glass jar. Use in place of plain vodka in your favorite recipes.
Notes
*Or 1 tea bag. (But please note the flavors of loose leaf chai are going to make a huge difference in this recipe since most often loose leaf teas use the real spices such as ginger, cloves, and cinnamon instead of flavorings often found in a tea bag.)
I found 12 hours to be the best amount but you can infuse up to 18 hours and still get good results, although anything more than 24 hours I found the flavor got too intense, particularly the cloves.
Feel free to double or triple the recipe depending on how much you want. 1 cup or 8 ounces will usually make about 4 standard cocktails.
For a 12 ounce pint jar (1 ½ cups) use 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon + ½ teaspoon loose leaf chai tea.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
2 ouncesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 131Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Nutritional data is automated and might not be 100% accurate, final nutritional information will depend on ingredients used and any changes made.
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