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Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned

A warming winter cocktail featuring bourbon, homemade vanilla chai syrup, and aromatic bitters. The perfect cozy drink for holidays and cold evenings.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Cocktail, Drinks
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 185
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Chai Syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar
  • 4 bags chai tea or 2 tbsp loose leaf
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cocktail Assembly
  • 2 oz bourbon whiskey or rye whiskey
  • 0.75 oz vanilla chai syrup adjust to taste
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters optional
  • 1 stick cinnamon garnish
  • 1 star anise garnish
  • 1 strip orange peel garnish

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Rocks Glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Jigger

Method
 

  1. To make the syrup: Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves completely.
  2. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let steep for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Remove tea bags and stir in vanilla extract. Let the syrup cool completely before using.
  4. To make the drink: Place a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
  5. Pour bourbon, cooled chai syrup, and bitters over the ice.
  6. Stir gently with a spoon for 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
  7. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, and an expressed orange peel. Serve immediately.

Notes

Leftover syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and is great in coffee.