A Chaitini is the perfect Autumn cocktail. A little bit of sweetness and a lot of spice are shaken together for a drink that’s totally dreamy.
Autumn officially set in earlier this week, and the leaves are starting to change here in Glasgow. Everywhere the trees are bursting into their final glory before the long winter with the most vibrant, fiery colors. I love the magic of Autumn. There’s so much beauty everywhere, even in the end of things. It’s a powerful reminder.
It’s been such a heavy year, and I’m trying to ignore the fear in my heart that it could get worse before it gets better. The passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a blow. She carried so much for us in her tiny body. If I could bring even a fraction of her strength into this world, it would be a privilege. We all need to do what we can to make this world a more equitable place where every single human soul has the opportunity to find true joy.
Maybe a tasty autumn cocktail will help bring us all together. I’m definitely going for a Chaitini. I love a creamy cocktail. If a bar does a good White Russian, I’m all over it. I’ve only ever been to one place that had a Chaitini on the cocktail menu, and that was in Nashville, so I’m definitely making my own these days.
How to make a Chaitini
This cocktail is not rocket science. You shake together some vanilla vodka, amaretto, chai concentrate, and some milk. That’s about it. I also love to rim the glass in cinnamon sugar if I’m feeling a little bit extra. It’s a nice touch, but if you can’t be bothered, it’s not a deal breaker.
I definitely recommend using a chai concentrate for this drink. There are a couple of good brands available in most American grocery stores. I like Tazo and Oregon Chai (assuming those are both still available). I’ve never seen a product like that here in Scotland, so I used a powdered chai latte mix instead. If you go that route, you’ll just need to make sure you don’t skip out on the cinnamon stirring stick because the drink will not be as smooth.
You deserve to feel safe, happy, and loved. We all do. You also deserve to have some fun every now and then. Fix a Chaitini for yourself and a friend (socially distanced if necessary) and raise a glass to the start of something awesome.
PrintChaitini
A sweet and spicy cocktail that will help everyone get along splendidly
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 2 ounces chai concentrate
- 1 ounce milk or half and half
- Optional: cinnamon sugar and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except for the garnishes to a cocktail shaker and shake with ice.
- Pour into a martini glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar and and enjoy.
Notes
- If you can’t get chai concentrate, you could substitute strong brewed chai tea that’s been cooled. If you’re using a powdered mix, make up the chai latte according to the package, then use three ounces of that. Cooled, of course.
- I haven’t tested it, but I bet this would also be great with oat milk or other plant based milks if that’s your jam.
Keywords: Chai, Cocktail
