Masala Chai Old Fashioned cocktail in a rocks glass
Cocktail · Whisky Cocktails Indian Twist

Masala Chai Old Fashioned Recipe

An Old Fashioned sweetened with spiced chai syrup.

Bourbon or Indian whisky
Base Spirit
~27%
Approx ABV
Easy
Difficulty
5 min
Prep Time
🥂 Rocks glass 🧊 One large cube Spiced, warming, boozy

This twist swaps plain sugar for a masala chai syrup. Cardamom, ginger and cloves sit naturally alongside oak and vanilla in the whisky.

Ingredients

Makes
  • 60 ml Bourbon or Indian whisky
  • 10 ml Masala chai syrup See the tips for the syrup
  • 2 dashes Aromatic bitters
  • 1 strip Orange peel For the garnish

Garnish: Orange peel

How to Make a Masala Chai Old Fashioned

  1. Add the chai syrup and bitters to a mixing glass.
  2. Add whisky and ice.
  3. Stir for 25 seconds.
  4. Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
  5. Express an orange peel over the top and drop it in.

Tips for a Better Masala Chai Old Fashioned

  • Chai syrup: simmer 100ml of strong masala chai with 100g sugar for 5 minutes. Cool and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
  • Start with a smaller amount of syrup and add to taste.

About the Masala Chai Old Fashioned

This is a modern twist, not a historical recipe. It follows the Old Fashioned template of spirit, sugar and bitters, and replaces the plain sugar with a syrup made from masala chai.

Masala chai is black tea simmered with milk, sugar and spices, usually green cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and black pepper. Similar notes of spice, vanilla and caramel develop in whisky as it ages in oak, which is why the two fit together so easily. Chai-spiced cocktails now appear on bar menus from Mumbai and Delhi to London, New York and Sydney.

The syrup is made without milk so that the drink stays clear. Bourbon gives the sweetest result. A malty Indian whisky or an Indian single malt gives a drier, spicier one.

Masala Chai Old Fashioned Variations

  • Rum Chai Old Fashioned: an aged dark rum such as Old Monk in place of whisky.
  • Smoky Chai Old Fashioned: add 5ml of peated whisky.
  • Jaggery Chai Old Fashioned: make the syrup with jaggery in place of white sugar.
  • Hot Chai Toddy: the same whisky and syrup topped with 100ml of hot water and a lemon slice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a Masala Chai Old Fashioned?

A Masala Chai Old Fashioned is made with 60ml (2 oz) bourbon or Indian whisky, 10ml (2 tsp) masala chai syrup and 2 dashes of aromatic bitters. It is served in a rocks glass.

How strong is a Masala Chai Old Fashioned?

Made to this recipe, a Masala Chai Old Fashioned is about 27% ABV and contains roughly 21 g of pure alcohol. That is about 1.5 US standard drinks, 2.1 Australian standard drinks or 2.6 UK units. It has around 170 calories per serving.

How do you make chai syrup for cocktails?

Simmer 100ml of strong, milk-free masala chai with 100g of sugar for 5 minutes, then cool and strain. It keeps in the fridge for about two weeks.

Which whisky works best with chai?

Bourbon is the easiest match because its vanilla sweetness suits the spice. Indian blends such as Antiquity Blue work on a budget, and Indian single malts add more depth.

Can you use chai tea bags?

Yes. Steep 2 masala chai tea bags in 100ml of boiling water for 5 minutes, remove them, then dissolve 100g of sugar in the tea.

Does a Masala Chai Old Fashioned contain milk?

No. The syrup is brewed without milk, so the cocktail is clear and suitable for people avoiding dairy.
Drink responsibly. The legal drinking age in India varies by state, from 18 to 25. Alcohol content shown is an estimate and changes with ice, dilution and the strength of the bottle you use. We do not sell alcohol.

About the Author

Shivam Sharma
Shivam Sharma
I am the founder and editor of The Spirit Atlas. With a deep appreciation for fine spirits, I built this platform to be the most helpful and honest spirits guide for Indian readers — covering everything from Scotch and Indian single malts to rum, gin and tequila, along with prices across every major Indian state. My goal is simple: to make the world of spirits a little more approachable for everyone.
Last updated: October 2026

Quick Facts

Type Indian Twist
Base spirit Bourbon or Indian whisky
Glass Rocks glass
Ice One large cube
Garnish Orange peel
Approx ABV ~27%
Calories ~170 kcal
Difficulty Easy
Prep time 5 min

More Cocktails