Chai Masala Old Fashioned
Bourbon infused with chai masala spices, stirred with honey syrup and bitters—a warm, aromatic twist on the classic Old Fashioned.
The Old Fashioned is all about spirit, sweetness, and bitters in perfect balance. Infusing bourbon with chai masala spices adds a whole new dimension—warm cinnamon, peppery ginger, and fragrant cardamom that transform every sip.
The infusion takes just two hours. Drop a cinnamon stick, a few cardamom pods, a couple of cloves, and a slice of ginger into your bourbon, and the spirit does the rest. Strain it out before the cloves get too assertive.
Honey syrup replaces the traditional sugar cube, adding a silky texture and a floral sweetness that complements the spices better than plain sugar ever could. A dash of Angostura bitters ties everything together with its herbal backbone.
For a non-alcoholic version, make the chai concentrate from the iced recipe, sweeten with honey syrup, add a dash of aromatic bitters (many are non-alcoholic), and serve over a large ice cube with an orange peel. All the warmth, none of the booze.
Ingredients
- 60 ml bourbon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 green cardamom pods, crushed
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 thin slice fresh ginger
- 15 ml honey syrup (1:1 honey and warm water)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
- Large ice cube
How to make it
- 1Infuse bourbon: add cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and ginger to bourbon in a sealed jar. Let sit 2 hours at room temperature. Strain and discard spices.
- 2Make honey syrup: dissolve 1 tbsp honey in 1 tbsp warm water. Let cool.
- 3Add chai-infused bourbon, honey syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- 4Stir gently for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.
- 5Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
- 6Express an orange peel over the drink, rub it on the rim, and drop it in.
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