By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 14, 2025
I personally feel you don’t need any reason to have a warm cup of Chai Tea. Whether it’s fall, winter, rainy, or just a cozy night! Spiked Chai is the perfect warm cozy winter drink—a boozy twist on traditional chai tea that is simple, delicious, and full of flavor. It’s exactly what you need for Christmas parties or any chilly evening. I made it with bourbon, but feel free to enjoy it without alcohol too!
Boozy Chai Tea
Chai Tea is one of the most comforting drinks when it’s cold outside. I can’t think of a better way to spend a chilly winter evening than curling up on the couch with a cup of chai. Chai Tea Latte is another warm drink that I truly enjoy!
One day I decided to elevate this traditional drink to something boozy, alcoholic, entertaining, and warm—by turning it into a cocktail . I added bourbon, had a bite of my Hermit Cookies , and it was a match made in heaven! Make a spiked chai for the holidays, get togethers, and chilly evenings. Then make the non-spiked version for those mornings when you need a little pick-me-up.
Tips for Beginners
- If you don’t want to go for individual spices, chai concentrate or chai masala is your best friend.
- Use mezcal & tequila in place of bourbon if you want to have a smoky boozy spiked tea.
- Leave the alcohol out if you prefer. The chai is still super delicious without it!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 cups hot water
- ▢ 4 black tea bags
- ▢ 4 green cardamom pods crushed
- ▢ 4 whole allspice berries crushed
- ▢ 4 whole cloves
- ▢ 1 star anise
- ▢ 2 whole cinnamon sticks
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ▢ 3 cups vanilla almond milk
- ▢ 1/4 cup honey
- ▢ ½ cup good quality bourbon
Video
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, tea bags, spices, ginger, and vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium/high heat and then reduce to a simmer. 3 cups hot water, 4 black tea bags, 4 green cardamom pods, 4 whole allspice berries, 4 whole cloves, 1 star anise, 2 whole cinnamon sticks, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Stir in the almond milk and honey, whisking to combine. 3 cups vanilla almond milk, 1/4 cup honey
- Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes to steep.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the bulk spices and tea bags, making sure only the liquid remains.
- Pour into a heatproof serving pitcher and stir in the bourbon. Enjoy this warm and cozy drink! ½ cup good quality bourbon
Becky’s Tips
- There is a coconut aftertaste when I use coconut milk in my recipes, so if you like it then feel free to use coconut milk. Otherwise, choose other alternatives.
- To sweeten my drink I used honey, but maple syrup, agave, or any sugar-free sweetener will do the trick.
- Whole milk, 2%, skim milk, coconut milk, oat milk will also go well with spiked tea.
- Assam, Red label or Darjeeling tea bags will do the wonders to make the BEST CHAI that you can enjoy without alcohol. But whichever is available is fine.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Spike Chai Tea with Bourbon Step by Step
Make the chai tea: In a saucepan add 3 cups of hot water, 4 black tea bags, 4 green cardamom pods crushed, 4 whole allspice berries crushed, 4 whole cloves, 1 star anise, 2 whole cinnamon sticks, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and combine well.
Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
Whisk in the 3 cups of vanilla almond milk and 1/4 cup of honey, then remove from heat and let the tea steep for about 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, pour the tea through a fine mesh sieve to separate the liquid from the whole spices.
And now you’ve got the perfect cup of chai!
Spike it with Bourbon: If you’re making spiked chai, you can pour the tea into a pitcher and stir in the ½ cup of good quality bourbon before serving.
You could also mix the bourbon into individual cups if you want both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options for your guests.
Serving Suggestions
I enjoy my bourbon spiked tea on cozy nights or to impress guests by serving Ginger Cookies or Riscotti Cookies with a warm cup of spiked tea. I’m a big fan of cocktails and this Bourbon Chai Tea recipe fits in perfectly with my delicious holiday drinks !
More hot drinks for winter we love
Crockpot Gingerbread Latte
Chai Latte
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Crockpot Eggnog
Crockpot Caramel Apple Cider
Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Cocktail
Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Chai Tea Recipe with Bourbon
Ingredients
- 3 cups hot water
- 4 black tea bags
- 4 green cardamom pods crushed
- 4 whole allspice berries crushed
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups vanilla almond milk
- 1/4 cup honey
- ½ cup good quality bourbon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, tea bags, spices, ginger, and vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium/high heat and then reduce to a simmer. 3 cups hot water, 4 black tea bags, 4 green cardamom pods, 4 whole allspice berries, 4 whole cloves, 1 star anise, 2 whole cinnamon sticks, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Stir in the almond milk and honey, whisking to combine. 3 cups vanilla almond milk, 1/4 cup honey
- Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes to steep.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the bulk spices and tea bags, making sure only the liquid remains.
- Pour into a heatproof serving pitcher and stir in the bourbon. Enjoy this warm and cozy drink! ½ cup good quality bourbon
Video
Notes
- There is a coconut aftertaste when I use coconut milk in my recipes, so if you like it then feel free to use coconut milk. Otherwise, choose other alternatives.
- To sweeten my drink I used honey, but maple syrup, agave, or any sugar-free sweetener will do the trick.
- Whole milk, 2%, skim milk, coconut milk, oat milk will also go well with spiked tea.
- Assam, Red label or Darjeeling tea bags will do the wonders to make the BEST CHAI that you can enjoy without alcohol. But whichever is available is fine.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
