Chai--a drink that is enjoyed year-round, tends to trend a little higher in the autumn months. With spices that are reminiscent of the holidays, some jokingly say it tastes like Thanksgiving.

Original chai, with its spicy cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper, is fantastic as it is, but it is also a wonderful base for additional flavorings. Try some of these chai-based lattes.

Chai Lattes

For each of these recipes, start with a basic chai latte. Brew a cup of chai, our Loose Leaf Masala Chai is an excellent choice. While you are boiling the water and steeping the tea, warm up your milk over low heat until just simmering. Whisk the milk into a foam. Before adding your heated and foamed milk add flavorings per the recipes below.

Caramel Drizzled Apple Chai Latte

Add a pump of Monin Gourmet Syrups Apple and a pump of Monin Gourmet Syrups Caramel to your chai and stir gently. Slowly pour the heated and frothed milk on top. Add whipped cream and a drizzle of Monin Gourmet Caramel Sauce for extra decadence.

Salted Caramel Chai Latte

Add a pump of Monin Gourmet Syrups Salted Caramel and a pump of Monin Gourmet Syrups French Vanilla.

Praline Peppermint Chai Latte

Add a pump each of Monin Gourmet Syrups Praline and Monin Gourmet Syrups Peppermint.

Lavender Chai Latte

Add a pump of Monin Gourmet Syrups Lavender and a pump of Monin Gourmet Syrups French Vanilla.

Healthy Chai

Turmeric has become something of a health food lately. This is by no means medical advice, please do your own research, however, turmeric has been said to

- Help with weight control
- Lower cholesterol
- Relieve arthritis
- Treat skin conditions
- Have antioxidant effects
- Help with diabetes control
- Treat and prevent cancer
- Treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease
- Help with depression
- Help with gastrointestinal issues

Golden Chai Latte

Brew your chai as above and add a teaspoon of turmeric. Add a healthy dollop of honey to make it a little sweeter, then finish off with your heated and frothed milk.

Chai Cocktails

Yes, chai is fantastic in cocktail recipes, too! Try one of these for an after-dinner treat. You may need to do a fair amount of prep for some of these, but they're definitely worth it.

White Russian Vanilla Chai

This decidedly fall cocktail uses chai simple syrup for the spicy kick.

Ingredients
2 Oz Vodka
1 1/2 Oz Coffee Liqueur
1-2 Oz Chai Simple Syrup
1-2 Oz Cream
Star Anise and Cinnamon Stick for garnish (optional)

Instructions
Fill a rocks glass with ice and the vodka, coffee liqueur, and chai simple syrup. Stir gently. Add cream and stir to combine. Garnish with star anise and cinnamon stick.

Chai Simple Syrup
4 Chai Tea Bags (BRAND)
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Sugar (or 1/3 Cup Honey)
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Add chai tea bags and let steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags, add sugar (or honey) and bring the mixture back to a boil. Boil for three to five minutes or until sugar (or honey) is incorporated, stirring often. Remove from heat and cool. You can store this in the refrigerator up to two weeks.

Chai This

(from URBN bar in San Diego)
This delightful cocktail is based on the popular classic Old Fashioned.

Ingredients
2 Oz Irish Whiskey
1/2 Oz Chai Syrup
3 Dashes Tiki Bitters
Orange Twist and Ground Nutmeg for garnish (optional)

Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice. Stir until chilled. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with an orange twist and a dash of ground nutmeg.

Chai Syrup
1 Tsp Loose Leaf Chai
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Brown Sugar

Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Add loose-leaf chai and let steep about 5 minutes. Strain and bring tea back to a boil. Add brown sugar and stir well. Boil for about three to five minutes or until sugar is incorporated, stirring often. Remove from heat and cool. You can store this in the refrigerator up to two weeks.

How do you like to enjoy your chai? Do you prefer it to be the original, iced, or flavored?