Over Espresso Martinis? Consider the "Chaitini" For Fall

We just can't seem to wiggle out from the espresso martini's firm grip. No, really: If you've stepped foot in any trendy establishment that caters to the under-25 crowd in the past 12 months, it's likely you've marveled at trays of the photogenic cocktail being delivered across the restaurant.

The trendy drink isn't for everyone, though. The espresso's high acidity and accompanying coffee liqueur make for a less-than-happy stomach (TMI, sorry) and you might not love the roughly 60 milligrams or so of caffeine past bedtime. Word on the street is that the similar chai martini — affectionately, the chaitini — gives a mellower take on that caffeinated cocktail that falls right in line with the cozy aesthetics of demure girl fall. Never heard of her? Allow us to make the introduction.

Think of it like the espresso martini's older (and wiser) sister: She'll down a few tequila sodas while out out dancing with her girls, but she's never going to miss her multi-step skincare routine and will religiously chug a full Stanley to nix next-day headaches. Her high-caffeinated sibling might've commanded attention last winter, but it's now looking like cocktail culture is making way for another bombshell to enter the villa, i.e. overpriced menus, this season.

Case in point: Our FYPs have been inundated with endless scenes of pumpkin-spiced and nutmeg-dusted chaitinis, as recipe developers carve out their own takes on this rising star. On Tiktok, creators like Lex Nicoleta and Liv Purdon suggested their own trending spins on "tini time" in recent months. When it comes to origin stories, however, this one's a bit more elusive. The espresso martini's legend is traced back to the '90s, sure, but the chai martini's recent evolution lives on the social media scroll. Call it an intuitive next step for trend-forward coffee cocktails, or — for the more cynical among us — just another offering to feed TikTok's insatiable algorithm.

Either way, who's complaining? This drink's build is straightforward, approachable, and highly customizable. We're taking a chai concentrate and distilling it into a versatile sweet syrup, then shaking it with vanilla vodka, cream liquor, and espresso until it's luxuriously frothy. You can easily swap the flavored spirit with another variation, like marshmallow or caramel vodka, or a well-rounded bourbon to match your tastes.

We'll also deem that added shot of espresso as extremely optional here, but it's worth noting that espresso shots' hallmark foamy surface, known as the crema, helps to build an aesthetically pleasing pillowy layer in the final drink. Mixing caffeine and alcohol isn't the most health-conscious decision, though, so you'd also be justified in gently scooping that glorious crema from a freshly brewed espresso shot (made easy with my trusted Nespresso) and plopping it into the cocktail shaker.

The result is cozy, warming, and — if you opt for that shot of espresso — downright filthy. It sips like a more expensive version of the espresso martini, yet doesn't really require you to search too far beyond your pantry and standard bar cart. If you find yourself feeling particularly inspired by resident #foodtok advisor Nara Smith, you even can easily whip up a batch of the spicy black tea concentrate for yourself, too. As for appropriate occasions, I'm saving this recipe for my annual Friendsgiving contribution to keep spirits high through competitive rounds of board games and any inevitable baking mishaps.

We're also hearing reports that it pairs well with sneaky bites of cookie dough at holiday celebrations, but we'll let you play judge. As long as it doesn't hurt my tummy and keep me awake into the early morning hours, I'm happy.

Nicolette Baker is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Her expertise lies primarily in food, drink, and fashion media, but she enjoys covering all aspects of lifestyle with an accessible approach. She's written for Food & Wine, Byrdie, Business Insider, VinePair, and Flourish.