This easy, creamy chai espresso martini is the perfect subtle and cozy twist on the classic cocktail. A homemade simple syrup infuses the warming flavors of chai into this drink, making it a great choice to enjoy throughout the fall and winter months!
Disclosure: This recipe is sponsored by Roland Foods, a leading global importer of premium, high-quality ingredients. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Pinch of Parsley possible!
A traditional espresso martini is energizing, fun, bold and tasty. This chai espresso martini is no different, except now you don't have to choose between coffee and tea! The rich coffee flavor combined with the warmth and subtle sweetness of chai spice is a perfect balance that cuts through the alcohol, making this chai espresso martini incredibly easy to drink. You've been warned!
This martini only takes 3 minutes to prepare and uses 5 ingredients. It's quick and easy to make and can be enjoyed alone or with friends and family. Plus, it's naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- You get the best of both worlds when chai tea and coffee come together to create this creamy cocktail.
- So much fall flavor! Thanks to the addition of chai, this cocktail is loaded with fall spices that'll keep you warm & cozy from the inside, out! It's perfect to enjoy during the fall and winter months, and holiday season for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
- Uses common bar ingredients. If you already know you like espresso martinis, you definitely have most of the ingredients on hand!
- Quick & easy to make. This cocktail only takes 3 minutes to make. All you have to do is just shake and enjoy!
- Optional homemade chai simple syrup allows you to control the ingredients and sugar content going into your cocktail.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and refined sugar-free.
Equipment
There's only two pieces of equipment you'll need to make this creamy cocktail:
- Cocktail Shaker: to thoroughly and easily mix & chill your drink!
- Saucepan: to reduce the maple chai simple syrup in.
If you don't have a cocktail shaker, you could add all of the ingredients to a pitcher or mixing glass, give it a good stir and strain into a glass!
Ingredients
Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this dirty chai martini:
For the Chai Maple Syrup
- Chai Tea Bags: Any chai tea bags will work to infuse the chai syrup. Feel free to use classic chai or opt for a flavored version, like vanilla chai. If you're proficient in chai, you could also simmer black tea and chai spices.
- Roland® Maple Syrup: It wouldn't be a simple syrup without it! And because we're opting for maple syrup instead of sugar, this cocktail is refined sugar-free. Find Roland® Maple Syrup on Instacart or in a store near you!
- Water: To dissolve maple syrup in as well as steep the chai tea bags.
For the Chai Espresso Martini
- Vodka: This is the perfect neutral flavored spirit for an espresso martini.
- Espresso: A freshly brewed shot of espresso is best but if you don't have the ability to brew your own, store bought will work just fine.
- Chai Simple Syrup or Chai Concentrate: Use the homemade maple chai simple syrup outlined here or store bought chai concentrate.
- Coffee Liqueur: Kahlúa is the most popular choice, but be aware that it is not vegan! Any coffee liqueur will suffice.
- Coconut Milk: This is optional however I think it helps achieve the most perfect creamy texture.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Variations & Substitutions
- Use chai tea concentrate for simplicity & to save time. I recommend the Tazo chai concentrate. Chai concentrate is typically sweetened, so taste and adjust as needed.
- Change the spirit. Try whiskey, bourbon, gin, rum, tequila, or even vanilla vodka instead.
- Instead of maple syrup, you can use regular cane sugar or brown sugar.
- Leave out the milk or use any dairy-free milk of your choice instead such as almond milk, oat milk or soy milk.
- Use store bought espresso or cold brew coffee to avoid brewing your own. However, freshly brewed espresso helps achieve the nice foam on top.
- Use decaf espresso to minimize the caffeine in this cocktail.
- Make a mocktail by eliminating the coffee liqueur and replacing the vodka with a non-alcoholic vodka.
- Shake with spice. For even more flavor, add a whole cinnamon stick, star anise, and/or nutmeg to your shaker. Doing so will extract the flavors into the martini.
This recipe has not been tested with any other substitutions or variations than the ones listed above. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Instructions
Step 1: Add water and Roland® Maple Syrup to a small saucepan. Add the tea bags and gently submerge. Turn the heat to low and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the tea to steep while it cools for another 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags and allow the concentrate to cool completely.
Step 2: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shake. Close tightly and shake for 45-60 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a star anise and grated nutmeg or coffee beans and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy responsibly!
Expert Tips
- Cook simple syrup over low heat to avoid burning the sugar and evaporating off too much liquid.
- The longer you allow the chai tea bags to steep in the simple syrup, the more flavor will develop.
- Use freshly brewed espresso including the cream (creamy foam that comes out of the espresso machine) for a frothy foam top.
- Allow both the espresso and simple syrup to cool for a few minutes to ensure it doesn't melt the ice and that you have a nice cold cocktail. You can do this by placing it in the freezer for a few minutes or just letting them both sit at room temperature.
- Shake extra hard for 45 seconds to 1 minute to achieve that creamy foam layer on top.
- Chill coupe or martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes for an extra cold drink. Plus it'll help make the foam on top last longer.
- Pour the drink quickly after shaking so the foam settles on top.
- If you're doubling the recipe for two, fill both cocktail glasses halfway then complete them. The foam will be at the end of the pour so this ensures both glasses have a foam top, not just one.
- If you're having trouble getting your espresso martini to foam, add half a teaspoon of aquafaba (the juice from a can of chickpeas). I promise it doesn't affect the flavor at all and is guaranteed to give you that frothy top that sticks around!
How to Store
Refrigerator: Store the espresso martini in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week without ice. When ready to serve, I recommend adding to a cocktail shaker with ice, shaking for 45 seconds-1 minute and then pouring into a glass. This will give you that creamy texture and frothy top that you wouldn't get without shaking. The maple chai simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Freezer: Allow to cool fully then transfer the maple chai simple syrup into an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight before using. You can freeze the espresso martini! I recommend freezing it without ice or coconut milk. When ready to serve, add to a cocktail shaker along with the ice and coconut milk, shake and pour into a martini or coupe glass.
FAQ
Chai originated from India - it's a black tea steeped with spices. These spices typically include ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, pepper, nutmeg, and cloves. For this recipe, you just need some chai tea bags!
Although a bit tricky, batching can be done! Because they need to be shaken to achieve the beautiful foam on top, the most you can likely fit in your cocktail shaker is 2 drinks, so be patient if making for a crowd. If you don't care about the foam top, then go ahead and prep a big batch in a pitcher and serve.
This cocktail can be enjoyed on its own but it's also delicious alongside desserts like tiramisu, sugar cookies, or biscotti.
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📖 Recipe
Chai Espresso Martini
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
Maple Chai Syrup
- ½ cup Roland® Maple Syrup
- ½ cup water
- 4 chai tea bags
Chai Espresso Martini
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz espresso
- 1 oz maple chai syrup
- 1 oz coconut cream
- ice cubes
- star anise for garnish
Instructions
Make the Maple Chai Simple Syrup
- Add the water and maple syrup to a small saucepan. Add the chai tea bags and gently submerge. Bring to a simmer over low heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.½ cup Roland® Maple Syrup, ½ cup water, 4 chai tea bags
- Remove from the heat and allow the tea to steep for another 10 minutes while the simple syrup cools. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container.
Make the Chai Espresso Martini
- Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 45-60 seconds.1 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz espresso, 1 oz maple chai syrup, 1 oz coconut cream, ice cubes
- Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a star anise and grated nutmeg, if desired. Enjoy responsibly!star anise
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