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Chai Simple Syrup adds a warm, comforting sweetness to drinks and desserts, and it’s super simple to make! Add it to coffee drinks, mocktails, and cocktails, infusing them with the warm, spiced flavor of chai. This small batch chai syrup recipe will have you adding it to everything. And I have stovetop instructions as well as microwave instructions for you.
Imagine sipping on a coffee infused with the sweet warm spices of chai or a lovely iced chai-infused cocktail on a relaxing evening. Add an exotic touch to homemade vanilla ice cream, drizzle with chai simple syrup to create ribbons of chai flavor. For a quick treat, drizzle pancakes and waffles with chai simple syrup.
We appreciate your support
Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Cooking Tips
The full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions is in the printable recipe card below; I offer tips and suggestions in the post to help you get the best chai simple syrup you can.
Use your favorite chai blend. I’ve tried many different brands and kinds of chai, including making my own chai concentrate from scratch. For this simple syrup we just need a few tea bags. My top two choices of chai tea bags are Flying Bird Botanicals Cedarwood Chai and Bigelow Vanilla Chai Black Tea. If you’re looking for a caffeine-free version, I really like The Republic of Tea – Pumpkin Pie Chai Herbal Tea.
I’ve been tasting lots of different ones, and sharing some of my choices on Facebook. Hop over, and leave me a comment with your favorite chai as well.
Don’t boil the tea bags. Steeping the bags in the hot water off of the heat prevents bitterness.
For stronger flavor, steep tea longer or use an extra tea bag.
Squeeze the tea bags gently to avoid harsh tannins when you’re removing the bags.
Stir the sugar into the strong tea while the syrup is still warm for smooth dissolving.
Let syrup cool fully before storing to prevent condensation.
Does chai syrup have caffeine?
Whether the chai syrup has caffeine or not will depend on the tea bags you use. If you use a blend with black tea, yes, it will have caffeine.
Reduce the amount of caffeine by going with an herbal tea or a decaffeinated tea.
Now, black tea generally has less caffeine than coffee. A standard 8-ounce cup of coffee usually contains 95–200 mg of caffeine, while the same amount of black tea contains about 40–70 mg.
Storage
Keep the prepared chai latte syrup refrigerated in an airtight sealed glass jar or bottle, and use within 2–3 weeks for best flavor. If syrup becomes cloudy or develops an off smell, discard.
Can I freeze this simple syrup?
For longer storage, transfer spiced simple syrup to a freezer safe container, like an ice cube tray or ice mold and freeze up three months. Once it’s frozen, I like to store them in zip top bags.
How to use chai syrup
Now the fun part! You get to use your syrup in all kinds of ways.
- Stir chai syrup for coffee into coffee or chai lattes.
- Sweeten iced tea or cold brew coffee
- Add chai cocktail syrup to cocktails or mocktails. Make a simple mocktail with sparkling water or club soda and a tablespoon or two of syrup. Dress up a simple old fashioned, add complexity to a great hot toddy, or elevate a lemon drop martini.
- Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream
- Mix into oatmeal or yogurt
- Add homemade chai syrup to cocktails, mocktails, coffee drinks, and desserts. Great with bourbon add it to oatmeal
- It makes great handmade gifts; just put it in a pretty jar and tie with a ribbon.
Flavor Variations
- Extra Spiced: Add whole spices (cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods) while steeping
- Vanilla Chai: Stir in ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, or a vanilla bean after cooling
- Honey Chai: Replace part of the sugar with honey
- Brown sugar Chai: replace all or part of the white sugar with brown sugar for a deep flavor
Easy flavored syrup recipes
Looking for more great syrups? I have a bunch of really fun flavors! Check out my Lavender simple syrup, ginger, cardamom, and basil simple syrup.
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Recipe
Chai Simple Syrup (Easy Homemade Spiced Syrup)
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 3 chai tea bags
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Stovetop:
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the chai tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove tea bags, gently squeezing out excess liquid. Stir in the sugar until fully dissolved. Let cool completely before storing.
Microwave:
- In a microwave-safe container (such as a glass measuring cup), heat water on high for 1–2 minutes until boiling. Add chai tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing out excess liquid.
- Stir in sugar until fully dissolved. Allow to cool before storing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Debi
Super easy to make & so good in my morning latte. It’s an easy way to make a dirty chai! I hope you give it a try and love it as much as I do. Debi, author, Life Currents