Chai-Cranberry Bourbon Smash
Liven up your holiday party with this chai-cranberry bourbon smash. Full of warm spice, this cocktail will have you feeling the holiday spirit in no time.
Servings 1 drink
Calories 297kcal
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
Ingredients
Brown Sugar-Chai Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 chai tea bag
Chai-Cranberry Bourbon Smash
- ¼ cup whole cranberries
- 1 ounce brown sugar-chai simple syrup
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs divided
- ½ lime cut into wedges
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Ice
- Splash of ginger ale
Instructions
Brown Sugar-Chai Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, bring water and brown sugar to a low boil. Stir every so often to help dissolve the brown sugar.
- Once the brown sugar comes to a boil and the sugar dissolves, remove from heat. Add chai tea bag and allow to steep for five to 10 minutes. Remove the tea bag and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Chai-Cranberry Bourbon Smash
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle cranberries, brown sugar-chai simple syrup, one rosemary sprig and lime wedges until the cranberries and lime break down.
- Add bourbon and a handful of ice. Place the top on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-30 seconds. Strain into ice-filled glasses.
- Pour in a splash of ginger ale and gently stir. Garnish with the remaining rosemary sprig. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
To make an eight-serving pitcher, muddle 2 cups cranberries, 1 cup brown sugar-chai simple syrup, 4 limes and 10-16 rosemary sprigs. You can muddle directly in the pitcher if you don't mind fresh fruit bits. Otherwise, muddle in a mixing bowl and pass through a fine-mesh sieve to strain, pressing down while straining and pour the strained liquid into a pitcher with 2 cups bourbon. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Right before serving, stir in 1 cup ginger ale.
- Use a little muscle when muddling to properly break down these ingredients. While some smash cocktails are made with softer herbs and fruit, this does take a little more pressure.
- Once you make the chai-brown sugar simple syrup, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last several weeks.
- For the proper cocktail shaking technique, make sure you use to hands to get enough force to agitate the mixture.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1drink | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Sodium: 7mg | Sugar: 33g