Bourbon Chai Nightcap Recipe

This warm and cozy bourbon chai nightcap combines the rich flavors of chai spice with just the right amount of bourbon to create the perfect cozy cocktail. This easy recipe is great for serving at parties or enjoying after a long day spent out in the snow.

To be completely honest, I didn’t really have the faintest idea what to call this recipe, but after a lazy internet search, I believe it counts as a nightcap, so that’s what I’m going to call it, and hopefully no one will be disappointed.

In my mind, though, this recipe is really just another version of a chai latte. After all, it checks all the boxes: chai tea bags, warm milk, a touch of sweetener, and a cinnamon stick.

I just decided to toss in a little bourbon for good measure. Because sometimes, when you live in a place where it consistently freezes during the winter months, you need something with a little extra warmth, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, enough of the chit-chat. This easy and delicious recipe, whatever it might actually count as (a latte, a tea, a cocktail, whatever), is warm, cozy, packed full of chai flavor, and balanced with just the right amount of bourbon.

It’s the perfect blend of simple and elegant, meaning it’s great for dinner parties, whipping up while hanging out with friends, or making to cozy up with after a long, cold day.

It’s great for fall, winter, and the holiday season. And it’s a wonderful drink to kick off any winter get-together, and you can easily leave out the bourbon to create a delicious drink everyone can enjoy!

So nightcap or not, chai or not, this recipe is super easy to make, flavorful, comforting—and you might just find me enjoying a cup this Christmas Eve.

How To Make a Bourbon Chai Nightcap

Makes two servings

Ingredients

• chai tea bags
• hot water
• whole milk, or milk of choice. 2%, skim, and non-dairy milks such as almond milk all work well.
• maple syrup
• cinnamon stick
• ground ginger
• bourbon

Directions

Place your tea bags in a large mug, and pour the hot water over them. Cover and allow the tea to steep for 10–15 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags.

Once the tea has finished steeping, combine the tea and the remaining ingredients in a small saucepan.

Heat over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture is hot and steaming.

Ladle into two cups. I like to float a cinnamon stick or star anise in mine as a garnish, but you can easily skip this.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can also serve this as a chilled bourbon cocktail. Simply allow the finished mixture to cool to room temperature (or pop it in the fridge overnight), then serve over ice and enjoy.

If you don’t have maple syrup on hand, this nightcap can also be sweetened with sugar, simple syrup, or honey. You could even use a homemade or store-bought chai syrup for extra chai flavor.

I like this recipe best made with bourbon, but if you’re in a pinch, you can also use dark rum or spiced rum. You can use any kind of bourbon you like—whatever you have on hand or whatever is cheaper. You don’t need a high-quality bourbon!

To make a kid-friendly or non-alcoholic version, simply leave out the bourbon. You can also easily double or triple the recipe to serve a crowd.

Be Sure To Check Out These Cozy Drinks, Too!

Buttered Rum Hot Chocolate

Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate 

Homemade White Chocolate Espresso