Dirty Chai Toddy
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A&M say: This starts out as a fragrant and mildly indulgent chai -- it's made with half-n-half -- and then right before serving you sling in some espresso and bourbon, and suddenly it's a drink with purpose and conviction.
gingerroot says: My youngest brother is home from college for the holidays. He mentioned to me that during finals week, all he drank was dirty chai – chai with a shot of espresso. I love chai and I love espresso, so I was pretty sure I would like a dirty chai. Add a shot of bourbon, and you have a hot toddy that will erase the troubles of the day, even if it does not put you to sleep. My chai recipe is inspired by one I found at http://www.veetea.com/site/articles/Masala-Chai-Recipes/, with ingredients I had on hand. Note: While green cardamom pods are typically used, I only had black cardamom pods which have a smokier, more pungent quality. I was curious how it would affect the flavor, and I enjoyed the overall balance with the espresso and bourbon. - gingerroot
Serves 2
- For the Chai:
- 8 ounces half and half
- 4 ounces water
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
- 2 black cardamom pods, crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 5-6 pink peppercorns, crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 1 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and flattened with the flat side of a large knife
- 2 tablespoons Turbinado sugar
- 2 sachets of organic whole leaf black tea, preferably Assam
- ***********************************
- For the Dirty Toddy:
- 2 ounces espresso (I used Stumptown Roasters Hairbender)
- 2 ounces Knob Creek, or other good quality bourbon
- Combine half and half, water, spices and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add black tea sachets and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea sachets, strain out spices and split chai between two pre-warmed teacups. Add one ounce of espresso and one ounce of bourbon to each teacup. Sit back and enjoy.
- This recipe is a Wildcard Contest Winner!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe with Coffee
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe with Cardamom
- This recipe was entered in the contest for A & M's Annual Smackdown / Your Best Hot Toddy
about 1 month ago RandyPickles
This reminds me of a spicy, earthy twist on Singaporean coffee!
about 1 year ago sdebrango
I made this tonight, tweaked for one serving. I have to admit I resisted because I never had coffee and tea together. Well, I'm a convert, it was absolutely delicious. I didn't have bourbon so I used cognac that was the only change I made. Between this and boulangere's hot chocolate truffle peppermint drink I am set for the winter. Really loved it!!
about 1 year ago gingerroot
Aw, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, sdebrango. I was skeptical about the coffee-tea combo at first as well, but after a taste I was hooked. I bet cognac would be good, I'll have to try that!
about 1 year ago Jenniferino
so good! i used only 1 tbsp turbinado sugar and it was perfect :)
about 1 year ago gingerroot
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know.
about 1 year ago TheWimpyVegetarian
Oh wow! I totally missed this! Huge congratulations on your wildcard win - well deserved!!!! I was looking at hot toddy recipes and am totally on this one. Happy Holidays gingerroot!!!
about 1 year ago gingerroot
Thank you, ChezSuzanne! I hope you enjoy this if you give it a whirl. Happy Holidays to you and yours as well!!
about 1 year ago dethbird
I drank just the bourbon part. Does that count? :) just kidding
This sounds fantastic
about 1 year ago gingerroot
Thank you, dethbird! Personally, I love the bourbon part.
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I'm sorry it took me so long to write you--congratulations on the wildcard win! I had never heard of dirty chai before, but I'm dying to try this!
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Hi drbabs, No apologies - thank you so much! I'd love to hear your thoughts if you try it!
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Congrats, gingerroot, on your wildcard win! This looks like the perfect cold weather pick-me-up!
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thanks so much, EmilyC!
over 1 year ago hardlikearmour
This is really good! Not to sweet, not too strong, just perfect! Cheers!
over 1 year ago gingerroot
I'm thrilled that you tried this, and it means a lot to me that you enjoyed it!
over 1 year ago Lisa Hyde-Mills
Hi, What is half & half ? I'm guessing milk of some kind? I haven't seen it in Australia.
Cheers
LIsa
over 1 year ago hardlikearmour
Half milk & half cream.
over 1 year ago susan g
I made this at 3 AM last night, and drank just the chai. In the morning I added the expresso. So good either way. Eventually, the bourbon. Wonderful how the Wildcard makes treasures like this pop up.
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thank you, susan g! So glad you enjoyed the Dirty Chai and hope you like the toddy version too.
over 1 year ago Kitchen Butterfly
Congrats ginger root. It looks wonderful and is beautifully captured
Nicole Franzen/Photo composer/A&M - that photo is worthy of high praise. Simply, stunning. I love the hint of grey wool in the background, the hands wrapped around the cup to receive warmth and the gorgeousness of the cup itself.
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thank you, KB. I could not agree more about the photo - it is gorgeous!
over 1 year ago wssmom
YAY, gingerroot!!
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thank you, wssmom!
over 1 year ago lapadia
Cheers and Congratulations, gingerroot! :)
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thanks so much, lapadia! It was a terrific surprise.
over 1 year ago Sagegreen
Congrats, gingerroot. It sure is becoming hot toddy weather up here in New England!
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thank you, Sagegreen! I hope you enjoy this if you give it a try.
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thanks so much, everyone!! What a fabulous surprise at the end of a long week. It's not quite toddy weather here yet, but I'll be having a bourbon tonight (which I discovered I enjoy thanks to this contest). Cheers!
over 1 year ago monkeymom
Yay gingerroot! Congrats!
over 1 year ago Lizthechef
Gosh, I really had to work to re-find this on the blog...Are you listening, dear food52?? Beautiful!
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thank you, Liz! It has taken me a bit to be able to reply to you, but I appreciate it.
over 1 year ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Congratulations on your wildcard win! I love this--can't believe I missed it when you first posted it.
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thanks so much, drbabs! I hope you enjoy this if you try it. Apologies for such a belated response.
over 1 year ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
yay gingerroot!! congrats on your yummy wildcard win!! I'd have one right now, but I'm drinking a beer. ;)
over 1 year ago gingerroot
Thanks so much, mrslarkin! Apologies for my belated response - I'm only getting some notifications and then had a really busy week. You crack me up!
over 1 year ago sdebrango
Congrats Gingerroot on the wild card win, this sounds so good think I am going to have one right now!!