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Celebrating the holiday season with this festive Christmas Vacation Dirty Chai Cocktail. Homemade spiced vanilla chai and honey simple syrup, mixed with vodka, Kahlúa, an extra shot of espresso, and a bit of molasses. A shot of coconut milk makes the drink creamy and just that much more delicious. This is the perfect “Christmas Vacation” style cocktail to enjoy all season long. Mocktail and punch recipes are both included!
Here we go! December 3rd and it’s Christmas cocktail time! Oh, I’m excited to be kicking off December with a good one, the Christmas Vacation Dirty Chai. This is fun, and of course, totally delicious. It’s more of a dessert-style cocktail, which is always nice on these cold December nights.
With December cocktails, I really am doing my best to only share my favorites. I have so many fun ideas, I just love making these holiday drinks.
I also want to again note that with all the cocktails this season, I will be sharing mocktail variations as well. I’ve had so many requests for more mocktails. I want everyone to be able to enjoy these special holiday drinks!
So I had the name for this cocktail down before I really knew what the cocktail was. I just love the sound of a Christmas Vacation cocktail. It sounds fun, right? Sometimes all I need is something as simple as a recipe title to begin building a recipe. I just have to love the way the recipe sounds, then I dream it up!
My only requirement when creating this cocktail recipe was that Clark Griswold himself would fully approve. It needed to be on the sweeter side because a sweet cocktail felt like something he would enjoy (may I remind you about Cousin Eddie’s Christmas Eggnog).
I love a dirty chai around the holidays, so I decide to add vodka and Kahlúa to the mix.
Here are details
The chai syrup is an extra special holiday touch. It’s what really adds a good amount of flavor, and then of course just the right amount of sweetness too. It’s simple to make, simply brew chai tea with honey and a cinnamon stick. Once brewed add vanilla and ginger to create a simple syrup.
The syrup will make enough for about 6 cocktails. This is awesome to have on hand for any guests that just love to pop in and say hi. It’s not too sweet and is perfectly spiced with the warming flavors of chai, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla.
Shake the chai syrup with vodka, Kahlúa, a shot of espresso, and a small amount of molasses. I know the molasses is little different, but it adds richness and creates the wonderful flavor of gingerbread.
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Shake this all up to combine, then I like to add coconut milk. You’ll get a sweet cocktail with just the right amount of espresso, vanilla, ginger, and a little creaminess too. Oh so GOOD!
A sweet cinnamon-rimmed glass creates a magical Christmas mood. It’s perfect.
If you’re looking for a fun drink to make this weekend while watching yet another holiday movie, this is it.
Looking for other Christmas drinks? Here are my favorites:
Lastly, if you make this Christmas Vacation Dirty Chai Cocktail, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Christmas Vacation Dirty Chai Cocktail (with mocktail)
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 227 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Spiced Vanilla Chai Honey Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 bags chai tea
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- vanilla cinnamon sugar, for rim (optional)
Christmas Vacation Dirty Chai Cocktail
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) vodka
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) Kahlúa
- 1 ounce espresso
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 1 ounce canned coconut milk
- grated nutmeg, cinnamon stick, and star anise, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. To make the chai honey syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water and the honey to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the chai tea bags and cinnamon. Cover and steep 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the vanilla and ginger. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.2. If desired, rim your glass with vanilla cinnamon sugar.3. In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, Kahlua, espresso, molasses, and 1-2 tablespoons chai syrup. Shake well to combine. Add the coconut milk and ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick, grated nutmeg, and star anise, if desired. 4. Mocktail: In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 1/2 ounces of apple cider or apple juice, 2 ounces of espresso, molasses, and 1-2 tablespoons chai syrup. Shake well to combine. Add the coconut milk and ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick, grated nutmeg, and star anise, if desired.
Christmas Vacation Dirty Chai Punch
Calories Per Serving: 227 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
SPICED VANILLA CHAI HONEY SYRUP
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 bags chai tea
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- vanilla cinnamon sugar, for rim (optional)
CHRISTMAS VACATION DIRTY CHAI Punch
- 1 1/4 cup vodka
- 1 1/4 cup Kahlúa
- 3/4 cup espresso
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 3/4 -1 cup canned coconut milk
- nutmeg and star anise, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. To make the chai honey syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water and the honey to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the chai tea bags and cinnamon. Cover and steep 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the vanilla and ginger. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.2. In a large pitcher, combine the vodka, Kahlúa, espresso, molasses, and chai syrup. Whisk well to combine. Chill until ready to serve. 3. Just before serving, add the coconut milk. Mixing well. Add ice to your punch bowl. Give it a really good stir. Rim cocktail glasses with sugar, if desired. Pour over the punch. Garnish with cinnamon stick, grated nutmeg, and star anise, if desired.
So good. I did mocktail for myself and cocktails for the rest of the fam. Very sweet.
Thank you so so much Tessa! xT
Delicious! I’m curious, is there a benefit to adding the molasses to each individual serving or could it be added to the batch of syrup and save a step? Thanks and Cheers!
I used canned coconut milk that was still good and it created curdles in this cocktail. Bummer! It looks so good too!
Hey Angela,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try! Next time, you could try blending the coconut milk to see if that helps at all! Happy Holidays! xT
How do you make the vanilla cinnamon sugar rim?
Hey Hannah,
I just use store bought cinnamon sugar and add vanilla bean powder to it. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xT
So good! Ended up substituting rumchatta for Kaluha and whole milk for coconut milk because that’s what we had but it was still delish! Will 100% make again!
Hey Sam,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
My family loves to do mimosas and coffee with breakfast on Christmas morning, but I wanted to switch it up this year with something new that marries coffee and alcohol. I just finished this recipe and had my mom try it. We are *obsessed* with this cocktail & cannot wait to have this again in a few days! Thanks Tieghan!
Hey there,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
Hi! Can I make this cocktail ahead? What temperature is it supposed to be? I was thinking if I made ahead it would be chilled but that might mess it up?
I see the punch version now! Sorry, we all scan so quickly and ask questions after you were so detailed in writing this 🤦🏼♀️. Thanks for everything. Love all your recipes!!
Hey Jordan,
This is served cold and you can go ahead and follow the punch recipe listed above:) You can also make the syrup up to 2 weeks in advance. I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xT
This recipe is a keeper. Thanks so much….delicious! I know you sent a link for the santa glasses…but I really love the gold Christmas tree ones….do you have a link for those? Thank you!
Hi Karin,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! Those glasses are old, but here’s some other cute ones:
https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=940328207&pid=uid3696-43323264-41&aid=45496900&utm_content=productwidget%3A63816b742d0ba511edc44c84&utm_medium=referral
Happy Holidays!🎄🎁