How is everyone doing in the midst of this crazy unprecedented time? I’ve been fortunate enough to continue my full-time job while staying safe at home. But at times, the social distancing and staying home all day definitely gets tough. I’ve been cooking a LOT which is great. And I’ve also become my own personal bartender serving up drinks like this dirty chai bourbon. This dirty chai bourbon has been getting me through the stir crazy times and endless binging of the Real Housewives (sorry, not sorry).
What is a “Dirty Chai”?
A “Dirty Chai” is a combination of chai tea and coffee. It gets you double the caffeine and also double the spice and flavor. Picture a coffee with chai spices like cinnamon, anise, ginger, cloves, etc. It is so delicious and warms your tummy while giving you a boost of energy for the day.
Dirty Chai…but make it alcoholic!
What’s even better than a regular “dirty chai”? One with bourbon, of course. It’s kind of like a take on your typical Irish Whiskey Coffee but more delicious and flavorful. This cocktail makes for the perfect brunch drink, giving you extra energy with a splash of booze to enjoy with your meal.
How do you make a Dirty Chai Bourbon?
Alright, I’ll admit right off the bat that I am no bartender or cocktail connoisseur…but by the end of this COVID-19 crisis, I may very well become one. And here is how to make my first (soon to be many) quarantine-made cocktail.
A dirty chai bourbon is really simple and really easy. It consists only five ingredients:
- Chai
- Coffee
- Your favorite bourbon (I used Bulleit)
- Maple Syrup (real vermont, duh!)
- Dairy free milk or creamer
- Star anise or cinnamon sticks to top (optional)
Start by brewing both your coffee and chai and make about a cup of each. Immediately place the chai and coffee in the fridge to cool off (unless you want to drink this hot, which is totally just as delicious). Set out a few whiskey glasses with ice.
Now, you can make this drink shaken or stirred. To make it stirred, pour a shot of bourbon in each glass over the ice. Then pour in your coffee, chai, maple syrup and gently stir. Pour the milk/creamer on top and sprinkle with some cinnamon. Top with a cinnamon stick and star anise and there you have it! A beautiful, tasty dirty chai bourbon.
To make it shaken, pour the whiskey, coffee, chai, maple syrup, and milk/creamer into a cocktail shaker (mine shown below is from Target). Shake it up for about 10 seconds until well mixed and the milk/creamer is frothy. Pour over ice and serve.
Dirty Chai Bourbon
Ingredients
- 1 cup Coffee or Cold Brew
- 2 bags Chai Tea
- 6 ounces Bourbon
- 4-8 tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 2/3 cup Dairy-Free Milk (I used oat milk creamer)
- Star anise and cinnamon sticks to top
Instructions
- If you're making coffee from scratch, start by brewing your one cup of coffee or preparing your one cup of cold brew.
- To prepare your chai tea, pour one cup of boiling water over two chai tea bags and let seep for 3-4 minutes.
- Once the coffee and chai tea are prepared, immediately put into the fridge or freezer to cool. Prepare the rest of the ingredients while they cool.
- Take out four whiskey glasses and add in some ice cubes. Pour 1.5 ounces of bourbon in each glass over the ice.
- Once the coffee and chai have cooled, remove from the fridge and add in 1/4 cup of coffee and 1/4 cup chai tea in each whiskey glass.
- Add in 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup to each whiskey glass (depending on your desired level of sweetness).
- Gently stir each whiskey glass to mix the bourbon, chai, coffee, and maple syrup together.
- Top each glass with some of the dairy-free milk and creamer. Sprinkle with cinnamon and top with star anise and cinnamon sticks.
- Serve and enjoy!
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