Chai Tea with Bourbon

Spiked Chai is the perfect warm winter drink! This chai tea recipe is simple, delicious, and full of flavour. It's exactly what you need for Christmas parties or any chilly evening. We made it with bourbon, but it can also be made without alcohol.

"Chai" is the Hindi word for "tea", so calling it chai tea is actually redundant, but a lot of us refer to it that way anyways. In the English-speaking world, chai refers to a specific style of tea drink, more accurately called Masala Chai. So the chai tea we know is just a mix of black tea and spices, usually brewed with milk. It can be served quite spicy, or sweetened for a lighter flavour. (And if you're like me, you also serve it mixed with a dash of alcohol.)

3 cups hot water
4 black tea bags
4 green cardamom pods, crushed
4 whole allspice berries, crushed
4 whole cloves
1 star anise
2 sticks whole cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 cups vanilla almond milk
¼ cup pure honey
½ cup good quality bourbon

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, tea bags, spices, ginger, and vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce to a simmer.

Stir in the almond milk and honey, whisking to combine.

Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes to steep.

Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the bulk spices and tea bags, making sure only the liquid remains.

Pour into a heat proof serving pitcher and stir in the bourbon.

Makes 4 servings.