Your Go-To Chai Syrup Recipe (+ Sugar-Free Option)

Chai lovers, this chai syrup recipe is for you!

It’s everything you adore about masala chai-warm, spiced, and aromatic-captured in a sweet, versatile syrup you can pour into lattes, cocktails, mocktails, or even drizzle over pancakes and ice cream. The best part? It takes only about 20 minutes to make, and you don’t need any fancy equipment.

Ingredients

We’ve grouped the ingredients so you can easily follow along and adapt to your taste.

Chai spices for flavour:

• 1 cinnamon stick (or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
• 4–5 cardamom pods, lightly crushed (or 1 teaspoon ground cardamom)
• 3–4 cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (or a few slices of fresh ginger)
• Optional: a pinch of black pepper, star anise, or nutmeg for extra depth

For convenience, you can also use ¼–⅓ cup of a Monk’s Chai blend for authentic flavour.

To get a better understanding of how chai should taste like, check out: What Does Chai Tea Taste Like?

Sweetener:

• 1 cup brown sugar for a rich caramel note
• You can also use white sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey (swap 1:1)

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or a scrap of vanilla bean.
• A strip of orange or lemon peel for brightness.

How to Make Chai Syrup at Home

At its core, syrup is just sugar and water heated until dissolved. To make it chai syrup, we simply infuse it with the warm, aromatic spices of masala chai.

Step 1: Brew the Base
Combine water and Monk’s Chai blend in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 5–7 minutes to extract flavour from the tea and spices.

Step 2: Add Sweetener
Stir in your chosen sugar until it’s completely dissolved.

Step 3: Simmer to Thicken
Let the mixture gently bubble for another 5–10 minutes so the syrup develops a rich, aromatic depth.

Step 4: Optional Infusion Boost
For a stronger chai flavour, remove from heat and let the blend steep for an extra 10–15 minutes before straining.

Step 5: Strain & Store
Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean jar or bottle. Cool to room temperature before sealing. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Variations to Try

• Vanilla Chai Syrup – Add vanilla bean or extract for a smooth, dessert-like flavour.
• Chai Honey Syrup – Swap sugar for honey for a softer sweetness.
• Pumpkin Spice Chai Syrup – Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice for autumn vibes.

Shortcut Method: Chai Syrup with Monk’s Chai Blend

Not in the mood to measure out each spice? Monk’s Chai blend has it all - premium black tea and whole spices - ready to turn into sweet, spiced syrup.

Ingredients (for ~1 cup of syrup)

• ¼–⅓ cup Monk’s Chai blend
• 1 cup brown sugar (or swap 1:1 with white sugar, honey, or maple syrup)
• 1 cup water
• Optional: ½ tsp vanilla extract or a strip of orange/lemon peel

Step 1: Brew the Base
Add water and Monk’s Chai blend to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then drop to low and simmer for 5–7 minutes.

Step 2: Add Sweetener
Stir in sugar until dissolved.

Step 3: Simmer to Thicken
Let it bubble away for 5–10 minutes to develop flavour.

Step 4: Optional Infusion Boost
Take off the heat and steep for another 10–15 minutes if you want it stronger.

Step 5: Strain & Store
Strain into a jar, cool to room temp, and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks

Ways to Use Chai Syrup

Chai syrup isn’t just for tea-it’s a pantry powerhouse that adds warm, spiced sweetness to countless recipes. Here are some creative ways to add chai into your cooking:

1. Transform Your Drinks

• Lattes & Tea Lattes – Hot or iced, with milk or plant-based alternatives.
• Cold Drinks & Cocktails – Stir into iced coffee, lemonade, a chai-spiced old fashioned, or even a spiced gin spritz. For the fastest route to barista-quality chai drinks, try a ready-made blend like Monk’s Chai syrup.
• Mocktails – Add to soda water with fresh lime for a refreshing, caffeine-free chai spritzer.

If alcoholic drink is more of your thing, check out:  Chai Cocktail Recipes To Spice Up Your Evenings

2. Level Up Your Baking

• Moist Cakes – Brush warm cake layers with chai syrup before cooling and frosting to lock in moisture and infuse gentle spice. Works beautifully on layer cakes, pound cakes, and cupcakes. Or if you're interested in a more chai-infused flavour, consider making a big portion of chai cake.
• Glaze for Bundt Cakes – Drizzle as a glossy, flavourful finish over bundt cakes or loaf cakes.
  Babka & Rolls – Swirl it into cinnamon rolls or babka for a chai twist.

3. Sweeten Your Desserts

• Ice Cream Swirls – Fold gently into homemade or softened chai ice cream for ribbons of chai flavour in every bite.
• Pancakes & Waffles – Drizzle over your breakfast stack instead of (or with) maple syrup.
• Baked Fruit – Brush over baked apples or pears for a spiced dessert that pairs perfectly with whipped cream.
• With just one batch of chai syrup, you can elevate everything from your morning coffee to your weekend baking - turning everyday recipes into something café-worthy.

Nutrition Facts (Per tablespoon, using brown sugar)

• Calories: ~50
• Carbs: ~13g
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g
  
• FAQ

FAQ about Chai Syrup

Brew Café-Quality Chai in Seconds

Skip the prep but keep the flavour -  Monk’s Chai artisanal syrup blends are made with whole spices and premium black tea for the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Loved by tea drinkers across the country and praised as some of the best chai in Australia, they’re ready when you are: just pour, stir, and sip.