This Chai Simple Syrup only requires 4 ingredients and it comes together in under 20 minutes! It's a great syrup for coffee, lattes, or matcha. You can also add it to cocktails or drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or any desserts!
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Why This Recipe Works
Easy to make - All the flavor of this syrup comes from chai teabags. You don't need to buy any whole spices you'd normally never buy or wouldn't use up. This makes it easier, cheaper, and more accessible because chai can be found in the tea section of practically any grocery store.
Delicious warming spices - Although you can make this syrup any time of the year (like I do), all the warming spices are great for fall and winter when the temperatures go down. Chai is made of a number of different spices that can vary based on where you get your chai from. It's usually a mix of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, star anise, and nutmeg. Some might also include black pepper, coriander, and fennel.
Versatile use - This syrup is amazing in coffee and matcha (try it in this Iced Matcha Chai Latte or this Iced Dirty Chai Latte) but it's also incredible in cocktails like this Chai White Russian. Besides drinks, you can also drizzle it over pancakes or waffles instead of maple syrup or on any desserts!
Ingredients
- Chai teabags - You could use a mix of spices to make the syrup like I initially did in this Iced Matcha Chai Latte, but using teabags is so much easier, cheaper, and more accessible. You don't have to buy any spices you'd normally never buy and you don't have to measure anything. Plus it's easier to get the flavors right every time!
- Cane sugar - I highly recommend using cane sugar. It's very neutral in flavor so it doesn't overpower the chai.
- Water - You'll need water and sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Use filtered water whenever possible.
- Vanilla extract - Vanilla balances out the flavors and add that little something. You can use vanilla extract or vanilla paste.
Variations and Substitutions
Brown sugar - If you want a slight molasses flavor, use brown sugar instead of cane sugar.
Maple syrup - If you're trying to stay away from classic sugar, try making the syrup with maple syrup instead! It'll be very similar to the syrup I made for this Iced Matcha Chai Latte but with chai teabags instead of whole spices.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add the water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Take off the heat and add chai tea bags.
- Steep the tea for 10 minutes and remove the tea bags. Squeeze as much tea out of the bag as possible.
- Add cane sugar and bring the mixture to a boil stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Take the syrup off the heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour the syrup into an airtight jar or a bottle in the fridge.
- Cool the syrup completely before closing the jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Serving Suggestions
Coffee - If you like drinking your coffee black with just a little bit of sweetener, try it with this chai syrup next time! It adds flavor and spice without overpowering the coffee.
Lattes - Using this syrup in coffee lattes is one of my favorite ways to use it! If you've never had a Dirty Chai Latte I highly recommend it! You can make it both hot and cold.
Matcha - This is by far my favorite way to use this syrup. Matcha and chai are such a great flavor combination. I like making an iced matcha with almond milk and a splash of this syrup. Try my Iced Matcha Chai Latte. It's so good! That recipe has its own maple chai syrup but you can use this syrup (it's easier to make because it calls for chai teabags instead of whole spices).
Cocktails - Try it in this Chai White Russian. I'll be adding more chai cocktails soon!
On food - Besides just adding it to drinks, you can also drizzle it over pancakes, french toast, or waffles instead of maple syrup or you can drizzle it over ice cream instead of store-bought sauces.
Storing
Store the syrup in an airtight jar or a bottle in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
If you don't think you'll be able to use up all of it in time, you can pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Just add one or two cubes to a cup and brew your coffee over it.
FAQs
Yes, definitely! I use chai tea bags to make the process easier, cheaper, and quicker but whole spices will give you amazing flavor. See the Iced Matcha Chai Latte, it has a chai maple simple syrup recipe that uses whole spices.
You can use your favorite sugar alternative that can be used in a 1:1 ratio in place of cane sugar but keep in mind that this may change the flavor and possibly the consistency of the syrup.
Similar Syrup Recipes
If you're looking for other coffee syrups perfect for fall and winter, check out the four below! Head to Flavored Syrups to see all the latest ones.
- Chestnut Praline Syrup
- Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- Vanilla Simple Syrup
- Chocolate Simple Syrup
- Gingerbread Simple Syrup
📖 Recipe
Chai Simple Syrup
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 ⅓ cup 1x
- Category: Flavored syrups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Chai Simple Syrup only requires 4 ingredients and it comes together in under 20 minutes! It's a great syrup for coffee, lattes, or matcha. You can also add it to cocktails or drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or any desserts!
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 4 chai tea bags
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the water to a medium saucepan and bring to boil.
- Take off the heat and add chai tea bags. Steep the tea for 10 minutes and remove the tea bags. Squeeze as much tea out of the bag as possible.
- Add cane sugar and bring the mixture to a boil stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Take the syrup off the heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Store the syrup in an airtight jar or a bottle in the fridge. Cool the syrup completely before closing the jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Notes
Store the syrup in an airtight jar or a bottle in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
If you won’t use it all in time, you can also freeze the syrup in an ice cube tray.
Natalie
This is my new favorite syrup for matcha lattes! I also add Cymbiotika brain supplement that has chai flavor so this helps me actually take those every morning!