Masala chai is the most-resonant non-Western beverage in Malaysia, partly because of our own teh tarik tradition, partly because of the strong Indian-Malaysian food culture. Translated into cocktails, the spice profile (cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove, black pepper) lands beautifully with aged spirits.
What masala chai actually is
Black tea simmered with milk, sugar, and a spice blend. The traditional spice ratio for one litre:
- Black tea (Assam, CTC grade) 6g
- Green cardamom pods (crushed) 6
- Cinnamon stick 1 small
- Cloves 4
- Fresh ginger, sliced 5g
- Black peppercorns 4
- Star anise 1
- Whole milk 500ml
- Water 500ml
- Sugar to taste (jaggery or palm sugar gives more depth)
Simmer water and spices 10 minutes. Add tea, simmer 3 minutes. Add milk, simmer 5 minutes. Sweeten. Strain.
The cocktail-grade chai concentrate
For mixing, you want a chai concentrate without the milk (milk fights most spirits).
Brew the chai as above, but use water only, no milk. Simmer 20 minutes. Reduce by half. Sweeten with gula melaka or jaggery to a thick syrup consistency. Bottle. Keeps refrigerated for two weeks.
Use 15-20ml of chai concentrate per cocktail.
What chai pairs with
Aged rum: the molasses-spice-vanilla profile of an aged rum sits perfectly inside the chai spice. Cult pairing.
Bourbon and rye whiskey: the corn-spice and rye-spice profiles reinforce the chai spice. American whiskey + chai is a winter classic.
Cognac and aged armagnac: the dried-fruit and oak depth of aged brandy under the chai is excellent.
Mezcal: the smoke + chai spice combination is challenging but rewarding for adventurous drinkers.
Avoid: gin (juniper fights cardamom), tequila blanco (too vegetal), light rum (gets lost in the spice).
Four working recipes
1. Chai Old Fashioned. Bourbon or aged rum 50ml, chai concentrate 15ml, 2 dashes Angostura, large ice cube, expressed orange peel. The reference chai cocktail.
2. Hot Chai Toddy. Bourbon 30ml, hot brewed chai (with milk) 150ml, honey to taste, cinnamon stick to garnish. The winter version.
3. Chai Espresso Martini. Vodka 30ml, espresso 30ml (cold), chai concentrate 15ml, coffee liqueur 15ml, shaken hard, served up. Brunch-coded.
4. Chai Negroni. Gin 30ml, Campari 30ml, sweet vermouth 25ml, chai concentrate 5ml, stirred, orange peel. Light chai dose; the bitterness of Campari needs space.
What to skip
Pre-mixed bottled chai concentrates from the supermarket (Tazo, Pacific Foods). Most are over-sweet and lean on vanilla rather than the spice blend. Make your own from the recipe above for a fraction of the cost and considerably better flavour.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What is masala chai?
Black tea simmered with milk, sugar, and a spice blend of green cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fresh ginger, black peppercorns, and star anise. The spice ratio for one litre is roughly 6g Assam CTC tea, six crushed cardamom pods, one small cinnamon stick, four cloves, 5g sliced ginger. Sweeten with jaggery or palm sugar.
How do I make a cocktail-grade chai concentrate?
Brew the chai with water only, no milk, since milk fights most spirits. Simmer the spices and tea in water for 20 minutes, then reduce by half. Sweeten with gula melaka or jaggery to a thick syrup. Bottle. Keeps refrigerated for two weeks. Use 15 to 20ml per cocktail.
Which spirits pair best with masala chai?
Aged rum is the cult pairing. Bourbon and rye reinforce the spice profile as an American whiskey winter classic. Cognac and aged armagnac bring dried-fruit oak depth. Mezcal is rewarding for adventurous drinkers. Avoid gin (juniper fights cardamom), tequila blanco, and light rum.
Can I substitute supermarket chai concentrate?
Not recommended. Pre-mixed bottled concentrates like Tazo or Pacific Foods are mostly over-sweet and lean on vanilla rather than the spice blend. Make your own from scratch for a fraction of the cost and considerably better flavour. The 20-minute simmer is the key step.
Where can I drink a chai cocktail in PJ or KL?
Both bars keep a chai concentrate. Dissolved Solids at 43-1 Jalan SS20/11 Damansara Kim pours the Chai Old Fashioned and Hot Chai Toddy on request; WhatsApp +60 11-4008 7607. Soluble Solids at 50-1 Jalan SS2/24 will build a Chai Negroni or Chai Espresso Martini; WhatsApp +60 11-1682 8651.