An old fashioned is a classic cocktail made to warm you up from the inside out as you slowly sip it. Add a perfect seasonal twist with my chai old fashioned, with notes of cinnamon and cardamom to highlight the warm bourbon. It’s a perfect sip for fall and winter!
What is a Chai Old Fashioned?
A chai old fashioned is a spiced twist on the classic old fashioned cocktail, blending the warm flavors of chai tea with the timeless combination of whiskey or bourbon, sugar, and bitters.
I use a chai concentrate, but you can also use chai-infused syrup or liqueur to add the warm notes of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, which creates a cocktail that feels cozy and aromatic—perfect for fall or winter!
Why Is It Called An Old Fashioned?
The old fashioned is one of the oldest cocktails, dating back to the early 19th century. The name originated from patrons who wanted a cocktail prepared in the “old-fashioned way,” meaning with the classic combination of whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water.
As new, more elaborate cocktails emerged in the late 19th century, this straightforward drink retained its name as a nod to its traditional preparation.
Chai As A Popular Fall Flavor And Its Origins
Chai, which means “tea” in Hindi, has its roots in Indian culture and has been enjoyed for centuries. Masala chai, the spiced version of chai, combines black tea with a blend of warming spices such as cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
It has become a popular flavor profile in the West, especially during fall, when its warm and comforting spices are often associated with seasonal coziness.
In a recipe like this chai old fashioned, these flavors complement the robust and smoky notes of whiskey or bourbon, resulting in a cocktail that bridges cultural traditions and modern mixology.
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Ingredients Needed
- 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey
- ½ tsp brown sugar (or to taste; also check if your chai is sweetened or not)
- 1 ounce chai concentrate (such as Oregon chai)
- 2-3 dashes bitters (Angostura, orange, or Peychaud)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Use your favorite bourbon, whiskey, or rye whiskey (I make mine with Knob Creek)
- Instead of brown sugar, you can swap in maple syrup, honey, or simple syrup
- You could also use 1 ounce of chai syrup (omit/reduce the sugar if its sweetened), or steep 2 chai tea bags in ½ cup water and cool
- For a vanilla variation, use Crown Royal vanilla whiskey as the base, or add ¼ tsp vanilla extract or a split vanilla bean pod to the drink
Step By Step Instructions
- Add bourbon, brown sugar, and chai to a chilled rocks glass (or similar), and stir with a cocktail stirrer or spoon until the sugar dissolves
- Shake 2-3 drops of bitters over the top
- Finish with a large ice cube (sphere or cube) and a garnish if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Does Dirty Chai Have Alcohol?
A traditional dirty chai is a non-alcoholic beverage, consisting of chai tea mixed with espresso for an extra caffeine boost.
However, you can make an alcoholic version by adding spirits such as spiced rum, whiskey, or Kahlúa to complement the chai’s rich and spiced flavors.
Which Alcohol Goes With Chai?
Chai pairs well with a variety of spirits that complement its warming spices. Whiskey, bourbon, spiced rum, and dark rum enhance chai’s robust flavors, while liqueurs like amaretto or Kahlúa add sweetness and depth.
Vodka can also work for a more neutral base in chai-inspired cocktails.
What Does Chai Flavor Taste Like?
Chai is characterized by a warm and aromatic blend of spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper, balanced with black tea’s earthy richness.
The result is a sweet, warming, and comforting flavor profile that evokes coziness and indulgence.
What Is The Secret To A Good Old Fashioned?
The secret to a great old fashioned lies in achieving the perfect balance between sweetness, bitterness, and the spirit of choice. Make sure to use a quality base spirit like whiskey or bourbon, since it will be prominent in your cocktail.
Stirring the drink properly with ice ensures it is well-chilled and slightly diluted, enhancing the flavors without overpowering them.
Tips For the Best Chai Old Fashioned
- If you find the drink too strong (old fashioneds are notoriously strong due to the low ratio of mixers), you can add some cold water or club soda to cut the strength
- Pre-mixed chai is available both sweetened and unsweetened (if you use syrup it will be sweetened, and tea bags are unsweetened). Factor that, along with your personal sweetness preferences, in determining how much sugar (if any) to add to your drink! Remember you can always add more (but it’s not easy to take away) so start light and work your way up
Serving and Presentation Tips
- Glassware. An old fashioned is usually served in an old fashioned glass, but any whiskey, rocks, or other lowball style glass is absolutely fine!
- Garnishes are optional but good choices are a cinnamon stick, star anise, luxardo cherries, and/or a twist of orange peel
- Crown Apple Old Fashioned
Final Thoughts
Classic chai spices give a delicious fall or winter twist to this chai old fashioned. This traditional cocktail is even better with warm flavors of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and more!
Of course, you can adjust it to your personal tastes by using different bourbons or whiskies, changing up the sweetener, using different types of chai, adding vanilla, or whatever makes you happy! It’s an easily customizable drink perfect for cool nights by the fire.
Katie’s tip
Looking for more great ways to use some chai up? Make sure to check out all of my amazing Chai Cocktails for more drink recipe inspiration!
Chai Old Fashioned (Easy Cocktail Recipe)
Equipment
- Old fashioned glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey
- ½ tsp brown sugar (or to taste)
- 1 ounce prepared chai (such as Oregon chai)
- 2-3 dashes bitter (Angostura, orange, or Peychaud)
Instructions
- Add bourbon, brown sugar, and chai to a chilled rocks glass (or similar), and stir until sugar dissolves2 ounces bourbon or whiskey, ½ tsp brown sugar, 1 ounce prepared chai
- Shake 2-3 drops of bitters over the top2-3 dashes bitter
- Finish with a large ice cube and garnishes if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use your favorite bourbon, whiskey, or rye whiskey
- Instead of brown sugar, you can swap in maple syrup, honey, or simple syrup (and adjust amount to preference)
- You can also use 1 ounce of chai syrup (omit/reduce the sugar if its sweetened), or steep 2 chai tea bags in ½ cup water and cool
- For a vanilla variation, use Crown Royal vanilla whiskey as the base, or add ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- Use water or club soda to reduce strength if desired
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
