Over the years, I have always wanted one thing when I am around a campfire, and that is something warm and comforting to keep you warm on the inside as the fire heats you on the outside. I’ve always made myself a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate and then curled up in a chair by the campfire and spent time with family and friends. But as I got older and grew an affinity for great tasting cocktails, I started to want a warm drink that would give me more of the warm and fuzzies – if you get what I’m saying. This season, I decided to make a drink to fill the void that I always had when it came to hot cocktails. So I combined the great flavors of vanilla, whiskey, and spiced chai to create the Hot Vanilla Chai Tea Whiskey Latte.
When it comes to holiday cocktails that you may want to make for any holiday occasion, there are quite a few fun ones that can be on the sweeter and cooler side such as a S’mores holiday cocktail, but this whiskey based cocktail is one that has become a seasonal favorite – especially here in the northeast where it gets cold and frigid very quickly and all we ever want to do is stay inside and keep warm.
I love making cocktails all year around, but I especially love making holiday cocktails because I get to serve them at the holiday parties and get to create fun festive cocktails that fits everyone’s preferences.
As I have been whipping up cocktails at home and creating holiday drinks for the Christmas, I realized that though flavorful, the Cranberry Moscato isn’t going to cut it when it comes to enjoying time outdoors around the campfire. Many of us want something warm and comforting and sometimes hot chocolate and plain tea, though warm, just isn’t the adult beverage that we want.
When serving this Hot Vanilla Chai Tea Whiskey Latte as your holiday cocktail, I highly recommend serving it as an after dinner or evening drink. Think of it as serving coffee after dinner. The latte element of it is not super heavy but it is a drink that will finish off the night and leave you feeling ready to snuggle up and relax. If you’re serving this as a holiday cocktail by the fire for a nice night out under the stars, then I suggest serving it alone or with a few Christmas cookies to balance the spice of the whiskey.
This cocktail has become one of my husband’s favorite cold-weather cocktails. So much that he even has it as a dessert cocktail when we are at home nowhere near a campfire. The drink has a little kick to it, but it’s a friendly kick that you’re bound to enjoy.
WHISKY CHAI TEA HOLIDAY COCKTAIL
WHAT ARE SOME TOP Holiday Cocktails?
When it comes to serving holiday cocktails for your festive events during the holiday season, you may be wondering what holiday cocktails would be a hit. I’ve seen such a variety of holiday cocktails and many more creative than the others. Over the years, I have made a variety of them, and many of them a spin off of some of the top holiday cocktails that many tend to serve. Let’s dive into a selection of the most enticing holiday cocktails that are sure to become the highlight of your seasonal festivities. Here are some featured holiday cocktails to explore:
SPICED MULLED WINE
Embrace the warmth of the season with this classic concoction of red wine infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Simmered to perfection, this comforting beverage will envelop you in a cozy ambiance, making it ideal for chilly evenings by the fireplace.
EGGNOG MARTINI
Reimagine the traditional eggnog with a sophisticated twist! Indulge in the creamy richness of eggnog, combined with vodka or rum and a sprinkle of nutmeg. This elegant martini version adds a modern flair to a beloved holiday favorite.
CRANBERRY MULE
Give a seasonal spin to the classic Moscow Mule by incorporating tangy cranberry juice. With the perfect blend of vodka, ginger beer, and a splash of cranberry, this refreshing cocktail delivers a festive burst of flavors in every sip. If you’re not much of a mule person, you can try out my Mistletoe Martini and my Cranberry Moscato cocktail.
PEPPERMINT WHITE RUSSIAN
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a decadent treat like the Peppermint White Russian. This delightful mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, and a dash of peppermint schnapps or extract creates a luscious, minty marvel, perfect for a dessert-like libation. I’m not much of a peppermint person, but I love s’mores, so for a spin on a White Russian for the holiday season, I made a S’mores White Russian.
SPARKLING POMEGRANTE CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
Add sparkle to your celebrations with a dazzling champagne cocktail infused with vibrant pomegranate juice and a hint of citrus. This effervescent drink exudes elegance and is ideal for toasting to the joys of the season. And for those who like the sparkle in the morning, try out my Starlit Mimosa for the holiday season.
HOT BUTTERED RUM
Embrace the spirit of comfort and warmth with a steaming mug of Hot Buttered Rum. This classic winter drink combines rum, butter, brown sugar, and a medley of spices, providing a soul-soothing elixir on chilly nights.
Explore these delightful holiday cocktail recipes to infuse your gatherings with a blend of tradition, creativity, and festive cheer. Cheers to a season filled with joy, warmth, and unforgettable sips of holiday delight!
WHAT IS A BASIC Chai Tea RECIPE?
As you are considering making this holiday cocktail recipe, you may either consider either purchasing a chai tea concentrate from the grocery story, or consider making your own chai tea. I’ve done this recipe with both the homemade chai tea and the store bought, and as you would assume, the homemade makes it a whole lot better. For those who want to indulge in the aromatic embrace of homemade chai tea making it is a lot easier than you thought, but it does require planning ahead and ordering some ingredients online as some of them can’t necessary be found in the grocery store. Here’s the basic recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 cups milk (you can use any milk of your choice – whole milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc.)
Sweetener of your choice (sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.) – optional
Instructions:
In a saucepan, pour water and add the spices: cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, and black peppercorns.
Bring the water and spices to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the spices to infuse their flavors into the water.
Add the black tea bags or loose black tea leaves to the simmering water and spices. Let it brew for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer your tea.
Pour in the milk and let the mixture simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to let it boil over.
If you prefer your chai sweetened, you can add your desired sweetener at this stage. Stir well to dissolve the sweetener.
Once done, strain the chai tea through a fine-mesh sieve or a tea strainer into cups or a teapot.
Serve your homemade chai tea hot and enjoy!
Note: Don’t feel that you have to stick specifically to the measurements of this recipe. I made some adjustments to lighten the flavors of some of the ingredients such as the ginger and peppercorn to not make it as strong. I went a little heavier on the cream and cinnamon to make it more of a holiday flavor. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to your flavor preference.
OTHER Whiskey HOLIDAY COCKTAILS TO MAKE THIS SEASON
Now while you may be a fan of whiskey, you may not be a huge fan of chai tea. And that’s okay. I have friends and family who I have served this cocktail to and sometimes they like it and sometimes they don’t. In some cases, some have enjoyed this cocktail warm while other have enjoyed it cool. But no matter what, I have found that many of them love that whiskey is included and prefer whiskey cocktails during the holiday season. If you’re looking for another type of whiskey cocktail during the holiday season. Try these out:
MAPLE WHISKEY SOUR
Elevate the classic Whiskey Sour by incorporating the sweet, earthy notes of maple syrup. Blending whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and a splash of maple syrup creates a harmonious balance of tanginess and warmth, perfect for sipping by the fireplace.
CINNAMON WHISKEY HOT TODDY
Combat the winter chill with a comforting Cinnamon Whiskey Hot Toddy. Infused with honey, lemon juice, and a cinnamon stick, this soothing concoction made with whiskey brings instant relief and relaxation.
CRANBERRY BOURBON SMASH
Toast to the season with a vibrant Cranberry Bourbon Smash. Muddle fresh cranberries and mint with bourbon, simple syrup, and a splash of soda water for a refreshing and visually appealing cocktail that embodies the festive spirit. I love a bourbon smash, but I’m not often one that really likes a lot of cranberry, so if you’re like me, you might want to try out this other holiday bourbon smash.
GINGERBREAD OLD FASHIONED
Embrace the flavors of the holidays with a Gingerbread Old Fashioned. Infused with gingerbread syrup, aromatic bitters, and your choice of whiskey, this reinvented classic delivers a nostalgic taste of festive baked goods in a glass. Another great way to include gingerbread in a holiday cocktail is in a gingerbread espresso martini.
SMOKED MAPLE MANHATTAN
Transform the traditional Manhattan into a smoky, maple-infused delight. Mix whiskey, sweet vermouth, and a touch of smoked maple syrup for a sophisticated cocktail that exudes warmth and complexity.
Indulge in these captivating whiskey-based holiday cocktails that harmonize the robust character of whiskey with seasonal flavors, adding a touch of elegance and flair to your holiday celebrations. Cheers to reveling in the joys of the season with each exquisite sip!
WHISKEY CHAI TEA RECIPE
Prepare to elevate your holiday celebrations with a fusion of warmth, spice, and sophistication in a single glass. In this section, we invite you on a journey into the realm of a uniquely crafted concoction: the Whiskey Chai Tea Holiday Cocktail. This exquisite blend marries the robust depth of whiskey with the aromatic allure of chai tea, resulting in a beverage that embodies the essence of seasonal festivity and indulgence. Join us as we unravel the secrets to crafting this spirited elixir that seamlessly combines tradition, bold flavors, and a touch of holiday magic, promising to enchant even the most discerning of palates.
Looking for a hot cocktail to sip by the campfire? This is the exact drink you need. While the kick of the spiced chai tea ignites your tastebuds, the sweetness and smoothness of the vanilla whiskey makes you feel like this the cocktail that will end the night on a great note.
Ingredients
Scale
2 teabags of Spiced Chai tea
1 1/4 Crown Royal Vanilla Whiskey
Heavy Cream
1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon Stick (to garnish)
Instructions
Brew 2 teabags of Spiced Chai tea in 1 1/2 cups of water. Let seep for at least three minutes.
Pour 3/4 of the tea into a glass.
Add whiskey.
Add vanilla extract. Stir together ingredients.
Top off glass with heavy cream.
Add a dash of cinnamon on top.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!
Note: The amount of tea brewed is meant to make two cocktails. You will want to start over from step two to make the second drink.
