Chai-Based Mocktails That Will Change The Way You Look At Tea
A cuppa chai or tea is a morning ritual for many folks. But why not spice it up and make a delicious drink out it? Chai has inspired a bevy of mocktails with added flavours such as orange, vanilla etc. Check out some tasty chai tea-inspired mocktail recipes below:
1. Spiced Orange Chai Digestive Mocktail
Ingredients
For the masala chai simple syrup:
180 ml Maple syrup
180 ml Water
2 Cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons Cardamom pods
1 Star anise
2 inches Fresh ginger, sliced
1 tablespoon Black peppercorns
2 teaspoons Whole cloves
For the mocktail:
2.5 tablespoons Masala Chai simple syrup
1–2 Orange peels
Juice of 1 orange
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1–2 dashes Orange bitters
Splash of Ginger ale or Ginger kombucha
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Ice
Method
For the masala chai simple syrup:
Make the simple syrup by adding all the ingredients in a medium pot and let it boil over low heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce heat to low and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes or until an hour—however you like it. Remove the pot from heat and keep it aside for 20 minutes to cool. Strain the syrup in a glass jar, it can be used for six to eight drinks.
For the mocktail:
First, use the orange peels to begin with. Fold the first peel in half and place it inside the cocktail glass. This will cause the oil to spritz. Now wipe the peel around the inside of the glass. Add ice and the rest of the ingredients. Stir the contents well and garnish with the second orange peel and cinnamon stick.
2. Dirty Chai Espresso Martini Mocktail
Ingredients
For the chai maple syrup:
240 ml Almond milk, unsweetened (You can use any plant-based milk)
4 Black tea bags, premium (Or chai tea bags, but omit the spice blend)
2 teaspoons Chai spice mix
60 ml Pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1-2 Cinnamon sticks, optional
For the mocktail:
60 ml Chai maple syrup
60 ml Freshly-brewed espresso, cooled (You can use decaf or caffeinated)
60 ml Chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon molasses
Coconut whipped cream for garnish
Star anise for garnish
Cinnamon sticks for garnish
Whole coffee beans for garnish
Method
For the chai maple syrup:
Take a medium saucepan, add the milk and bring it to a boil for one to two minutes. Add the tea bags and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from heat, add the chai spice mix, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon sticks. Let the contents steep for five to six minutes and keep it aside to cool.
For the mocktail:
Add the martini ingredients to a shaker and shake well till the contents combine. Get a martini glass and strain the content from the shaker into it. Top it with a spoonful of coconut whipped cream, star anise, cinnamon sticks or whole coffee beans.
3. Christmas Chai Mocktail
Ingredients
For the spiced chai vanilla honey syrup:
120 ml Honey
bags Chai tea
1 Cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger
Vanilla cinnamon sugar for rim (optional)
For the mocktail:
45 ml Apple cider
30 ml Espresso
1 teaspoon Molasses
30 ml Canned coconut milk
Ice
Grated nutmeg, cinnamon stick, and star anise, for serving
Method
For the honey syrup:
In a medium pot, add 120 ml water and honey and bring it to a boil. Remove the pot from heat and add chai tea bags and cinnamon. Steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the vanilla extract and ginger. Let the mixture cool. This syrup will help you make 6 drinks.
For the mocktail:
Firstly, take a cocktail glass and rim it with vanilla cinnamon sugar. Take a shaker and add the apple cider, espresso, molasses, 2 tablespoons of chai honey syrup. Shake well. Add the coconut milk, ice and shake well for a minute. Strain into the cocktail glass. Garnish using cinnamon stick, nutmeg and star anise.
