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Cocktail History
The Chai Espresso Martini is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created as a twist on the classic Espresso Martini. The recipe is similar to the original in that it calls for vodka and freshly-brewed espresso, but instead of simple syrup, it uses a flavored cinnamon syrup and adds a healthy dose of chai liqueur for more flavor.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Vanilla Vodka: This is a type of vodka made with vanilla pods, grains, vegetables or fruits, and alcohol. We used Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka because it has a tasty vanilla flavor and is affordable. For a mocktail version of this drink, try STRYKK Not Vanilla V*dka in place of the vanilla vodka.
Espresso: This is a concentrated type of coffee made from finely ground coffee beans and hot water. We used ground coffee from a local supplier.
Chai Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with black tea, spices, sugar, and alcohol. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Chai Tea Concentrate in place of the chai liqueur.
Cinnamon Syrup: This is a sweetener made with cinnamon sticks, white sugar, gum Arabic powder, saline solution, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s sous vide recipe.
Coffee Beans: This is the a seed of the Coffea plant.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Espresso Machine: This brews hot espresso coffee. We used the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine.
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Grater: This is used to grate spices or citrus peel. We used the OXO Good Grips Grater.
Tweezers: This is used to place the garnish on the drink. We used one from the Stainless Steel Food Tweezers Set.
Tasting Notes
The Chai Espresso Martini has heavy coffee and spice aromas and a taste that’s strong with bitter coffee and backed up with chai’s notes of cinnamon, cloves, and anise, all softened and sweetened with vanilla and plenty more chai spice on the finish.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We weren’t kidding when we said it would land on your home bar menu! Alex loved the Chai Espresso Martini as expected, and Kendall, who’s not even a fan of coffee to begin with, has found this to be one of her new go-to requests.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Twisted Path’s chai liqueur, to my knowledge one of the only of its kind, is an incredible asset on any bar. In this version of the espresso martini, the spicy cinnamon-and-cardamom flavors of chai lend their flavors to the delicious combination of espresso and vanilla for a slam dunk cocktail that’s both deep and dark while still inviting and comfortable.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Full disclosure, this cocktail really deserves at least four stars, but I only gave it three because I’m not big on bold coffee drinks in general. I did really enjoy the addition of chai to the iconic Espresso Martini template and would pretty much always choose this version of the original. The chai flavors shine nicely even against the strong coffee flavor.”
Recipe
Add vanilla vodka, espresso, chai liqueur, cinnamon syrup, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with coffee beans.
Ingredients
Directions
Add vanilla vodka, espresso, chai liqueur, cinnamon syrup, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with coffee beans.
Make It a Mocktail: Use STRYKK Not Vanilla V*dka in place of the vanilla vodka and Monin Chai Tea Concentrate in place of the chai liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Shop Glassware & Tools
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More Autumn Cocktails
If you like this autumn-inspired cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Thanksgiving Nog: A dark rum cocktail made with water, heavy cream, pumpkin purée, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, ground mace, whipped cream, and a cinnamon stick
Spiced Pumpkin Punch: A gin cocktail made with apple cider, pumpkin purée, honey syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon sticks
Flannel Shirt: A Scotch cocktail made with apple cider, Amaro Averna, lemon juice, simple syrup, St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram, Angostura Aromatic Bitters, and an orange peel
Pumpkin Spiced Russian: A vodka cocktail made with coffee liqueur, milk, caramel sauce, pumpkin spice syrup, and a cinnamon stick
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