Spiced Chai Cider Bourbon (4 Ingredient Cocktail) ⋆ DelMarValicious Dishes

Name: Spiced Chai Cider Bourbon (4 Ingredient Cocktail)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 ounces Bourbon Whiskey; 2 ounces Apple Cider; 1 ounce Lemon Juice; 0.5 ounce Chai Simple Syrup; Cinnamon Sugar; 1 cup Water; 3/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar; 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 3 Chai Tea Bags; 1 Cinnamon Stick

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This Spiced Chai Bourbon Cider Cocktail is a simple fall cocktail made with only 4 ingredients! This cozy cocktail can be served cold or warm.

Two glasses of iced apple cider garnished with apple slices sit on wooden coasters with a sugared rim. Cinnamon sticks and apple slices are placed on the table beside the glasses. The background features a blurred pot and a yellow lemon, making it the perfect fall cocktail scene.

The warm chai flavor is one that I can drink all year long. Yet, it seems that I only drink them during colder months in coffee or tea. I knew that I needed a cocktail that combined chai and bourbon.

For another cool-weather cocktail, try this Kentucky Coffee. Made with a homemade maple simple syrup, this drink is perfect for the fall season. Or, try this Almond Joy Martini. This dessert cocktail is the perfect addition to any holiday menu!

Why You'll Love This Cocktail

Simple! Simmering and shaking is all that is required to make a delicious chai cocktail.
Comes together quickly. Make the Chai Simple Syrup ahead of time and whip up this cocktail at home in less than 5 minutes.
Not too sweet. Control the level of sweetness by making this drink yourself.

Ingredients

Bourbon is the alcohol used in this cocktail.
Apple cider is used to add sweetness and a fall touch.
The chai simple syrup adds the warm and cozy flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and pepper to the drink.
Lemon juice balances out the cocktail with a little tang.

Full ingredients and measurements are listed below in the recipe card.

Substitutions

If you are not a bourbon lover, replace the bourbon with a dark rum or a whiskey.
If apple cider is not in season, use apple juice.
In place of the Chai Simple Syrup, you can make a very strong cup of chai tea or a chai tea concentrate.
You could also sweeten the drink with maple syrup in place of the simple syrup.
Orange juice can be used in place of lemon juice for a tangy kick.

Variations

Make this a mocktail by omitting the bourbon and using 1 additional tablespoon of apple cider and ½ tablespoon of lemon juice.
Make this a hot drink! Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. If making a large batch, combine all ingredients in a crockpot and set the temperature to warm.

Step-by-Step Instructions

A pot of hot dark liquid with a cinnamon stick and two tea bags soaking in it, resembling a cozy fall cocktail. The background is white, and the pot has a handle visible at the bottom.

Step 1: Make the chai simple syrup. Add the water and dark brown sugar to a small saucepan. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Once boiling, simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add chai tea bags, vanilla, and cinnamon. Allow tea bags to seep for 10 minutes.

A mason jar filled with iced tea sits on a coaster. The tea is a light brown color, with ice cubes floating on top. In the background, there are out-of-focus elements, including a bowl of lemon wedges and apple slices, giving it the look of a refreshing fall cocktail.

Step 2: Add the bourbon, apple cider, chai simple syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until the exterior of the shaker is cold and icy.

Two elegant, clear crystal glasses lightly rimmed with cinnamon sugar are shown. In the foreground, a bowl of peach slices and a separate grey dish filled with granulated cinnamon sugar are visible on a white surface—perfect ingredients for a refreshing fall cocktail.

Step 3: Wet the rim of a glass and dip into the cinnamon sugar.

Two glasses of a refreshing iced beverage sit on a wooden surface, each garnished with a sugared rim. This fall cocktail appears to be citrus-based. Nearby, there are lemons, cinnamon sticks, and apple slices, adding a touch of rustic charm to the scene.

Step 4: Pour the cocktail into the rimmed glass over ice and enjoy!

Top tip

Use a high-quality bourbon that you enjoy drinking.
The leftover chai simple syrup can be used in coffee or tea!

FAQ

Can I make this Chai Cider Bourbon in advance?

Yes, you can make this Chai Bourbon Cocktail in advance. Simply, combine all ingredients in a shaker without adding the ice and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake it up!

What is the best bourbon to use to make a chai bourbon cocktail?

The best bourbon to use in a cocktail is one that you love. Because there are so few ingredients in this drink, I do recommend using a high-quality bourbon. I like to use High West Bourbon, Makers Mark Cask Strength or Henry McKenna Single Barrel.

How can I garnish this bourbon apple cider cocktail?

Garnish this fall cocktail with a cinnamon stick or star anise in the drink. Use a lemon wedge, orange wedge, or apple slice on the glass. And don't forget to rim the cocktail with cinnamon sugar for a fun and festive look!

Looking for other simple cocktail recipes? Try one of these:

Pairing

Pair your Chai Cider Bourbon with one of these simple appetizers:

📖 Recipe

Two elegantly carved glass tumblers filled with a golden-orange fall cocktail, garnished with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. The glasses have sugar rims, and there are apple slices, a lemon, and a cinnamon stick on the wooden surface.

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