Green Chai Gin Smash
A bright, herbaceous cocktail where green chai–infused gin meets muddled cucumber, lime, and a cardamom honey syrup.
Gin's botanical character makes it a natural match for green chai. Infusing the gin for just one hour extracts the tea's spices—cardamom, ginger, cinnamon—without turning it bitter, and the result is a beautifully aromatic spirit.
Muddled cucumber adds a cool, spa-like freshness that plays against the warm spices. It's an unexpected pairing that somehow works perfectly, giving the cocktail a refreshing depth that keeps you coming back for another sip.
The cardamom honey syrup is the secret weapon. Simmering honey with crushed cardamom pods creates a fragrant sweetener that bridges the gin's botanicals and the tea's spice, pulling the whole drink into harmony.
For a non-alcoholic version, replace the gin with chilled green chai cold brew and a splash of tonic water. Add the cucumber, lime, and cardamom syrup as directed—it's just as complex and satisfying without the alcohol.
Ingredients
- 60 ml gin
- 1 green chai tea bag
- 3 slices cucumber
- 30 ml fresh lime juice
- 20 ml cardamom honey syrup (simmer 2 tbsp honey with 3 crushed cardamom pods in 2 tbsp water, strain)
- Sparkling water
- Cucumber ribbon and mint sprig for garnish
How to make it
- 1Infuse gin: place tea bag in gin in a sealed jar for 1 hour. Remove bag and discard.
- 2In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber slices with lime juice.
- 3Add infused gin and cardamom honey syrup. Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
- 4Double-strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- 5Top with a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and mint sprig.
Want to learn more about Chai Verde? Visit its full profile.
Back to Chai VerdeYou might also like
Green Chai Digestive Tonic with Fennel and Mint
A soothing digestive blend of green chai, fennel seeds, and fresh mint—warming spices meet cool freshness for gentle gut support.
Iced Green Chai Latte with Oat Milk
A creamy, spiced iced latte made with cold-brewed green chai and frothy oat milk—refreshing, lightly sweet, and impossibly smooth.