With a nod to the subtle Indian spices in chai tea, this rich, indulgent drink with aromatic flavourings and a real vodka kick is the perfect cold-weather cocktail (that said, the Guardian’s restaurant reviewer Grace Dent enjoyed it in high summer, too, so it works in all seasons). We infuse our vodka with bay leaves and star anise for a few days, so by all means do the same, but the drink works with straight vodka, too.
Bhojpura Cutting chai
Serves 1
37½ml Baileys
15ml vodka – we use Belvedere (infuse it with bay and star anise, if you like)
100ml brewed chai, cooled – we make our own chai blend, but a shop-bought one will do just fine, preferably from an Indian food shop
10ml vanilla essence
To garnish
1 star anise
1 small pinch saffron strands
1 cinnamon stick
Pour all the liquids into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake hard. Single strain into a rocks or lowball glass filled with fresh ice, garnish with the star anise, saffron and cinnamon, and serve.
UK readers: click to buy these ingredients from Ocado
• Saurav Rai, general manager, Heritage Dulwich, London SE21
