One of my favorite ways to dress up a cocktail is to make a customized simple syrup. With all the different fruits and herbs out there, you can make endless combinations of simple syrups, and I love the creativity a fun simple syrup brings to a standard cocktail. Enter this brown sugar-chai tea simple syrup.

Brown sugar-chai tea simple syrup in mason jars stacked as a pyramid.

Initially, I dreamed up this simple syrup to go with my recent cranberry-apple cider holiday sangria. Simple syrups are typically made with white sugar, but I thought dark brown sugar would work well with the cranberry and apple cider. Plus, I loved the idea of adding extra spice with the chai tea.

Sounds great, right? Well, it turned out that with the apple cider and ginger ale, the sangria was already sweet enough. I won't lie --- I was disappointed I didn't get to use my simple syrup for the sangria, but I was so happy with the flavor that I figured I'd use it in other cocktails instead, such as this chai old fashioned and chai-cranberry bourbon smash.

With the holidays here, this simple syrup would also make a cute homemade gift for that person in your life who enjoys making cocktails. As someone who obviously loves making a good cocktail, I would be thrilled to receive a unique simple syrup. Not only is a homemade simple syrup thoughtful but it's something I'd use and enjoy.

Chai tea bags with simple syrup in background.

How to Make Brown Sugar-Chai Tea Simple Syrup

If you've never made a simple syrup, it's an easy process. In a small saucepan, we combine equal parts dark brown sugar and water and bring to a low boil. I like using dark brown sugar as opposed to light brown sugar because it has a richer taste from the added molasses. Honestly, I rarely use light brown sugar these days. I love dark brown sugar that much.

While the brown sugar and water come to a boil, we give it a stir every so often to help dissolve the sugar. Once it boils and the sugar dissolves, we turn off the heat and add a chai tea bag to the mixture and allow it to steep. This recipe makes enough for a cup of simple syrup, but if you'd like to make more for gifts, use an additional tea bag for every cup of water and brown sugar.

And that's it. See how easy it is?

Bonus recipes: If you love this brown sugar simple syrup, you'll also adore these variations.

Perfect Pairing for Brown Sugar-Chai Tea Simple Syrup

Ultimately, it depends on how you use this brown sugar-chai tea simple syrup, but I can give you a few general suggestions. With the dark brown sugar and warm spices, this simple syrup can work well as a dessert cocktail, so a sweet treat with caramel or butterscotch is great.

If you're going with a main course, this simple syrup works well with a pork roast. Pork is one of those meats that pairs nicely with sweet flavors, and the caramelization from the roast is a nice match with the brown sugar.

Whether you make this brown sugar-chai tea simple syrup for your own cocktail bar or to give it as a fun holiday gift, I hope you try this recipe. This simple syrup will definitely elevate your cocktail game.

Cheers!

Two jars of simple syrup stacked on top of each other

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