Spiced Hot Chocolate
WARM UP YOUR WINTER WITH THIS COZY + DECADENT Spiced Hot Chocolate
I don’t know about you, but I grew up in a household where hot chocolate wasn’t just reserved for the holidays. It was a way to warm up your winter, all of winter, from before Thanksgiving to Christmas right on through to Valentine’s Day and beyond. But it seems to be that I’m in the minority these days, with hot chocolate being reserved only as a holiday treat.
So I’m here to tell you…you’re missing out! Like you realize it’s still winter? And it’s still cold and miserable? And you could still be giving yourself the joy that is a decadent cup of hot chocolate? Right??! Riiiight??! K, glad we cleared that up.
I mean, let’s be honest, there's nothing quite like a warm cup of hot chocolate to comfort and indulge the senses when it’s cold and gray out. But also…why settle for the regular version when you can elevate your hot chocolate experience with a burst of rich, warming spices? Spiced hot chocolate is the perfect winter drink, blending rich cocoa with the fragrant flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and even a hint of chili (if you dare). It’s thick and creamy, kind of like Parisian-style hot chocolate, and it tastes kind of like if hot chocolate and a chai tea latte had a baby.
But spiced hot chocolate is also so much more than just a cozy drink – it’s an experience that engages the senses and warms the soul and takes your hot chocolate to the next level with the addition of comforting spices. Whether you're curled up on the couch binging your favorite show, looking for a sweet treat to sip by the fire or a festive beverage to serve at your next winter gathering, spiced hot chocolate adds a cozy twist to the classic treat. And not only will it keep you warm, but it will also fill your home with the irresistible aroma of the season.
It’s also chock full of benefits thanks to the cacao and spices, protein from the milk, and is sweetened with natural sweeteners. So all things considered, not only is it a decadent treat, but it’s also a nutrient dense one. And we love a treat that does both, don’t we?!
I like to round out my spiced hot chocolate with a little cardamom whipped cream (fully embracing the spice element here), but you can also enjoy it as is or with marshmallows on top (I love to use homemade collagen marshmallows).
Below, in this post, I’ll walk you through the easy steps to create your own spiced hot chocolate from scratch and share tips on how to customize it to suit your taste preferences. Get ready to level up your hot chocolate game and sip, savor, and enjoy the spiced magic!
SO WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIS Spiced Hot Chocolate ANYWAYS?
Hot chocolate alone is a delicious indulgence, but spicing it up adds layers of flavor and warmth. Spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom not only enhance the cocoa but also provide a comforting effect on chilly nights. Additionally, many of these spices offer health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties and digestive support. Spiced hot chocolate isn't just a treat for your taste buds – it's also a treat for your well-being!
My particular version happens to be rich, thick and extra creamy (think: Parisian-style hot chocolate) and protein rich thanks to dairy milk, however, feel free to use the milk of your choice and skip the extra decadent additions of cream and chocolate for a treat that is a tad lighter but still packed with flavor and decadence.
Ingredients YOU NEED for Spiced Hot Chocolate
To make the best spiced hot chocolate, you’ll need the following ingredients:
MILK: I like to use whole milk but any dairy-free alternative will work, too
HEAVY CREAM: Completely optional but adding it makes the hot chocolate even thicker, creamier and more decadent
DARK CHOCOLATE: I like to use one that is 70% or higher, but feel free to use any kind that you prefer. You can also use chocolate chips instead. The chocolate can also be omitted for a lighter hot chocolate.
COCOA POWDER
MAPLE SYRUP OR COCONUT SUGAR: You can also use brown sugar or granulated sugar.
VANILLA EXTRACT
SEA SALT
CINNAMON
CARDAMOM
NUTMEG
CLOVES
ESPRESSO POWDER: This is completely optional and doesn’t make the drink taste anything like coffee, but it really enhances the chocolate flavor and rounds out the spices. If you have it, add it, but if you don’t no need to go buy some just for this hot chocolate recipe.
CHILI POWDER OR CAYENNE PEPPER: Totally optional but add if you want to kick the spice level up a notch, feel free to add in some chili powder.
How to Make Spiced Hot Chocolate
COMBINE THE INGREDIENTS:
In a medium saucepan, combine the milk along with the chocolate, cocoa powder, sweetener, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and any other spices you’re using.HEAT THE MILK:
Place the pan on the stove on medium-low heat, and warm the milk mixture, stirring continuously, until the hot chocolate is thoroughly combined and heated to your preferred temperature.STIR TO COMBINE:
Be sure to stir continuously as this helps dissolve the cocoa and spices into the milk, creating a smooth, creamy base and it also keeps the milk and dark chocolate from burning.ADJUST TO YOUR TASTE PREFERENCES:
Taste the hot chocolate and feel free to add more sweetener or spices if you’d like. You can also stir in the chili powder if you’d like a bit of an extra spicy kick.SERVE AND ENJOY:
Pour the spiced hot chocolate into two mugs, top with whipped cream or marshmallows, and sprinkle a dash of cinnamon or cocoa on top for an extra touch of flavor. I also really loving topping mine with cardamom whipped cream for a little extra spice and flavor.
Notes + Tips:
TO MAKE THE CARDAMOM WHIPPED CREAM: Simply whip heavy cream as you normally would until soft peaks form. Then add in your sugar (if using), a splash of vanilla and some ground cardamom. I do about 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon cardamom per 1 cup of cream. Gently fold just until combined. Leftovers can be store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
TO MAKE A LIGHTER HOT CHOCOLATE: Use a low-fat milk or lighter milk alternative (such as almond milk), don't add the optional heavy cream and leave out the additional chocolate.
TO MAKE A MORE DECADENT HOT CHOCOLATE: If you want an even richer, thicker hot chocolate, double the amount of chocolate and heavy cream.
CHOCOLATE QUALITY: For a truly decadent and nutrient dense hot chocolate, use high-quality cacao powder and dark chocolate, something 70% or higher, with minimal ingredients.
A NOTE ON WHAT KIND OF SWEETENERS OT USE: I like to use maple syrup or coconut sugar to keep my hot chocolate refined-sugar free but feel free to experiment and try honey, date syrup or brown sugar instead. You can also add more or less sweetener depending on your taste preferences.
MILK ALTERNATIVES: If you're dairy-free, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk are fantastic alternatives that pair wonderfully with the spices.
SPICE VARIATIONS: Feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking. You can also add in bit of orange zest for a citrus twist.
JUST A FEW OF THE HEALTH Benefits of Spiced Hot Chocolate:
Don’t let the pretty mug of hot chocolate fool you. Sure it’s rich and luscious and decadent, but here’s more than meets the eye to this drink. See spiced hot chocolate isn’t just a indulgent treat and the spices aren’t just there for flavor; there’ also some sneaky little benefits to it. Outside of boasting several grams of protein (if you use dairy milk), here are a few benefits you might get from some if the spices used in this drink:
Cinnamon is known to help regulate blood sugar and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Cardamom can help with digestion and cardivascular health and lower inflammation.
Nutmeg can aid digestion and has been linked to improved sleep quality.
Cloves are rich in antioxidants and may help support immune health.
Cayenne Pepper or Chili Pepper (if you choose to add it) is known for boosting metabolism and promoting circulation.
Dark Chocolate (if used) is packed with antioxidants and may improve heart health.
LOOKING FOR OTHER CHOCOLate DRINKS TO INDULGE IN?
Here are a few other decadent and delicious favorites of mine:
DARK CHOCOLATE DOUBLE ESPRESSO ORANGE CHOCOTINI: A luxurious and chocolatey, but booze free, beverage
CAMPFIRE MOCHA LATTE: A rich, chocolatey, smoky latte, no campfire required
BLACK AND WHITE COOKIE LATTE: An espresso fueled version of New York’s favorite chocolate and vanilla cookie
BICERIN: If a hot chocolate and mocha had an Italian baby, this decadent drink would be it
BECAUSE FOOD TASTES BETTER WHEN IT’S SHARED WITH OTHERS…
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SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE
Ingredients
- 3 cups of milk of your choice (I like to use whole milk but a dairy-free alternative works, too)
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, roughly chopped (can also use chocolate chips)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup, coconut or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, if you want to kick the spice up a notch
- To serve: whipped cream (I like to make a cardamom whipped cream for this), marshmallows
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, begin heating the milk over medium-low heat just until it’s warm to the touch.
- Whisk in the chocolate along with the cocoa powder, sweetener, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and any other spices you’re using.
- Keep stirring until the hot chocolate is thoroughly combined and heated to your preferred temperature. Be sure to stir continuously as this helps dissolve the cocoa and spices into the milk, creating a smooth, creamy base and it also keeps the milk and dark chocolate from burning.
- Taste the hot chocolate and feel free to add more sweetener or spices if you’d like. You can also stir in the chili powder if you’d like a bit of an extra spicy kick.
- Pour the spiced hot chocolate into two mugs, top with whipped cream or marshmallows, and sprinkle a dash of cinnamon or cocoa on top for an extra touch of flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
274Fat
13 gSat. Fat
8 gCarbs
33 gFiber
4 gNet carbs
29 gSugar
25 gProtein
8 gSodium
223 mgCholesterol
24 mgThis information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Although we attempt to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates and come from online calculators. Variations may occur due to substitutions used, food preparation, freshness of ingredients and product availability, among other factors.You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.
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