A glass mug filled with chai vanilla bean hot toddy and garnished with orange slices.

This chai vanilla bean hot toddy is a cozy and warmly spiced twist on the classic. Freshly brewed chai is supplemented with cinnamon sticks and whole cardamom to ensure a nicely spiced base. Honey lends natural sweetness while orange juice adds a bright, citrusy lift. Vanilla beans add richness and complement the sweet notes in the bourbon. Whether you’re winding down on a chilly evening or fighting a seasonal chill, this cozy and warm tipple is the perfect blend of spice and comfort. 

A glass mug filled with chai vanilla bean hot toddy and garnished with orange slices.

You are in for a cozy treat!

Cold weather calls for hot toddies! If you’re not familiar with a hot toddy, let’s break it down! It’s a mixture of a spirit, we’re using bourbon or whiskey, hot water, and some honey.  

The hot toddy being poured into a glass mug.

But this hot toddy has a comforting twist. Brewed chai tea takes the place of plain hot water, infusing the drink with those beloved spices and an extra layer of warmth. 

A glass mug filled with chai vanilla bean hot toddy and a spoon being dipped into it.

Speaking of spices, this recipe uses the whole version of the spices instead of the ground version. We’re talking cinnamon sticks and whole green cardamom pods. It’s important to stick to using whole spices instead of ground, because ground spices can add a grittiness to your drink and less flavor, and we want flavor! 

A glass mug filled with chai vanilla bean hot toddy and garnished with orange slices.

You can make this hot toddy into a mocktail by using a simple swap that is perfect for Fall, making it a warm drink everyone can enjoy. Substitute an equal amount of apple cider or apple juice for the bourbon or whiskey.  

A couple of glass mugs filled with chai vanilla bean hot toddy and garnished with orange slices.

Since we’re all about flavor at A Classic Twist, I highly recommend using chai tea bags to make this drink. Chai concentrate can be overly sweet and lacks the freshness that you taste when you brew a fresh cup of chai tea. 

A glass mug filled with chai vanilla bean hot toddy and garnished with orange slices.

I almost forgot to talk about the other star of the show, the vanilla bean flavor! A little vanilla bean paste turns this hot toddy into an irresistible Fall drink! I hope you enjoy sipping it as the weather turns cooler as much as I have!

Ingredients

The ingredients to make a Chai hot toddy in various bowls.
  • water
  • a few cinnamon sticks
  • whole green cardamom pods
  • orange peel
  • chai tea bags
  • some honey
  • bourbon or whiskey 
  • vanilla bean paste
  • fresh orange juice
  • a few orange slices, optional for garnish

How to Make a Chai Tea Hot Toddy

Water with hot toddy ingredients in a saucepan.

Add the water to a small pot. Gently crush the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods with the back of your knife or a mortar and pestle, then add to the water along with the orange peel.

The chai tea steeping in a saucepan.

Bring the water to a low boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and add the tea bags.

Cover and steep for 10 minutes.

Strain out the tea bags, spices, and orange peel, then return the steeped tea to the pot over medium heat.

Honey being added to the chai hot toddy drink mixture.

Stir in the honey, then warm until the tea is steaming.  

Orange juice being added to the saucepan with the chai hot toddy mixture.

Remove from the heat, then stir in the bourbon, vanilla bean paste, and orange juice.

The chai hot toddy mixture being poured into a glass mug.

For easier serving and pouring, you can pour the hot toddy mixture into a teapot. Divide the hot toddy between two mugs.

A glass mug filled with chai vanilla bean hot toddy and garnished with orange slices.

Garnish with an orange slice & cinnamon stick.

Serve with extra honey on the side.

How to Store

If you happen to have leftovers of this hot toddy, you can store it in the fridge for a few days and then reheat when you are ready to sip it.

A couple of glass mugs filled with chai vanilla bean hot toddy and garnished with orange slices.

More Fall Drink Recipes

A glass of chai vanilla bean hot toddy with cinnamon sticks surrounding it.

What do you think of this cozy Fall drink recipe? What would you serve with these hot toddies? Let me know in the comment section below. 

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy sipping, friends!

A set of 3 chai hot toddies garnished with orange slices.

Chai Tea Hot Toddy Recipe

A set of 3 chai hot toddies garnished with orange slices.
Yield: 2 servings

Chai Vanilla Bean Hot Toddy

This chai vanilla bean hot toddy is a cozy and warmly spiced twist on the classic. Freshly brewed chai is supplemented with cinnamon sticks and whole cardamom to ensure a nicely spiced base. Honey lends natural sweetness while orange juice adds a bright, citrusy lift. Vanilla beans add richness and complement the sweet notes in the bourbon.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cinnamon sticks, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon whole green cardamom pods
  • 4-inch piece orange peel
  • 4 chai tea bags
  • 2 tablespoons honey, plus extra for serving
  • 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) bourbon, or whiskey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 2 orange slices, optional for garnish

Instructions

  1. Add the water to a small pot. Gently crush the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods with the back of your knife or a mortar and pestle, then add to the water along with the orange peel. Bring the water to a low boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Cover and steep for 10 minutes.
  2. Strain out the tea bags, spices, and orange peel, then return the steeped tea to the pot over medium heat. Stir in the honey, then warm until the tea is steaming.  
  3. Remove from the heat, then stir in the bourbon, vanilla bean paste, and orange juice. For easier serving and pouring, you can pour the hot toddy mixture into a teapot. Divide the hot toddy between two mugs. Garnish with an orange slice & cinnamon stick. Serve with extra honey on the side.

Notes

  • You’ll need 1-2 oranges for the peel, juice, and garnish, depending on their size. 
  • Chai is caffeinated, so if you want a decaffeinated version, make sure to use decaffeinated chai tea bags. 
  • Keep leftovers in the fridge. Re-warm leftovers in a pot over medium on the stove or in the microwave. 
  • An equal amount of vanilla extract may be used in place of the vanilla bean paste if needed for similar results.
  • FAQs

    Can I use ground cinnamon and cardamom instead of the whole spices? No, I do not recommend using ground spices instead of whole ones. They will add grit to the toddy and will produce a less flavorful brew than whole spices.

    Can I make a mocktail version? Yes, you can easily make a flavorful mocktail by swapping in an equal amount of apple cider or apple juice for the bourbon. 

    Can I use a liquid chai concentrate instead of chai tea bags? No, I do not recommend using a store-bought chai concentrate. Chai concentrates are typically sold already sweetened and do not taste as fresh as when brewed on the spot. 

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    2

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 13mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 21gProtein: 1g

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