THIS WEEK: CHAI CHAI AGAIN

Call it chai’s breakout moment. The spiced aromatic tea, once confined to cups and saucers, is now appearing in all sorts of unlikely places.

KUMO

House mixologist James Bobby dreamed up the Chai Cha Do, a dessert cocktail, back in October (thus the hint of pumpkin flavor). But the drink, made with Voyant chai cream liqueur and Skyy vanilla vodka and a touch of whipping cream, turned out to be so popular, they kept it around. “It tastes like a Coffee Bean chai tea latte,” says Bobby, which means it goes down frighteningly easily. 8360 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, (323) 651-5866

SPRINKLES

TGIF. That’s the only day the original cupcake emporium bakes up their special chai latte cupcakes. In addition to green and Darjeeling teas, the recipe includes a blend of spices including cinnamon, cloves, anise, cardamom and ginger. And there’s plenty of luscious chai vanilla frosting. 9635 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 274-8765

SCOOPS

Owner and flavor creator Tai Kim does a chai ice cream about once a week. Alas, it’s when inspiration hits, so there’s no particular day; you just have to try your luck. “I try to come up with a different approach instead of just plain chai,” he says. This might mean maple chai or chai with crunchy bits of almonds, coconut chai or banana chai, even chai peanut butter. 712 N. Heliotrope Drive, L.A., (323) 906-2649

JIN PATISSERIE

Pastry chef Kristy Choo brews Assam tea, which she then infuses into cream, to make the ganache that fills the pretty chai dark chocolates sold at her oh so civilized sweet and sandwich shop. They’re the ones finished with a white and orange chrysanthemum design. 1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, (310) 399-8801

SAPPHIRE LAGUNA

The idea for the chai latte, white espresso and orange chocolate creme brulee trio served at this year-old global eatery came to chef Azmin Ghahreman when he was in the adjacent gourmet shop. He wanted to do something with some of the products sold there, including the masala chai. Served in a lineup of little white square porcelain boxes, the trio is a welcome break from the ubiquitous traditional brulees served around town. 1200 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 715-9888

--

theguide@latimes.com