Spiced Hot Chocolate (Chai Hot Chocolate)

Chai Spiced hot chocolate– a comforting rich and delicious beverage to keep you warm during the winters. A steaming mug of this hot chocolate spiced with chai masala will certainly cheer you up on a cold afternoon. Hot chocolate, book and snuggles that’s how a winter evening should roll 🙂 Here is how to make perfect chai spiced hot chocolate at home. Much easy, much economical and most delicious 🙂

By now you all should be knowing how much I love milk based beverages. Be it warm masala milk, saffron milk badam milk, pistachio milk, adrak chai, chocolate mocha I just love them on any day.

Hot chocolate drinks are especially our favorite and I have shared few easy hot chocolate recipes like Italian hot chocolate, nutella flavored one, strawberry hot chocolate along with homemade hot chocolate mix. This spiced hot chocolate is another favorite winter indulgence.

This chai hot chocolate is a combination of two of my favorite drinks. Hot chocolate and masala chai. This drink is a real deal with whole milk, good quality cocoa powder, some cream and chunks of dark or milk chocolate. Not to forget the correct dose of whole spices to perk up the experience.

I first tasted this delicious spiced chai hot chocolate in the breakfast buffet of the resort we stayed during a holiday in ooty. It was love at first sip 🙂 So comforting and warming for that cold weather. Then a quick internet search told me that spiced hot chocolate is really a thing. I have been making then ever since and last week I made it four days in a row.

This Spiced Hot Chocolate Recipe Is

So comforting, delicious and has very good flavor

Easy & quick to make

Perfect warm beverage for winters

Healthier for kids with the goodness of whole spices.

Gluten free & vegetarian

Can be made vegan by replacing dairy milk with non dairy ones.

To make this chai hot chocolate first of all you will need a very good quality cocoa powder and dark or milk chocolate. Hot chocolate is a creamy and rich beverage that essentially contains dark chocolate. If you make this drink without chocolate it becomes hot cocoa.

So here I have used unsweetened dutch processed cocoa powder and chunks of milk chocolate. You can also dark chocolate but as I have used dutch processed cocoa which is very strong and dark, I have used milk chocolate to balance the flavors.

What Are The Spices Used In Chai Hot Chocolate

You will essentially have to use spices used for masala chai. If you have this chai masala powder handy, you can use 1/2 teaspoon per serving. For a very different flavor you can even use 1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder. However if you want to make spiced hot chocolate from scratch here is the breakdown of required whole spices.

• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• cardamom
• dry ginger powder
• A very tiny pinch of paprika (optional)

How Do I Make My Hot Chocolate Really Rich & Creamy?

The main ingredient that makes hot chocolate rich is the chocolate itself. So use very good quality dark or milk chocolate. next use whole milk for thick and creamier drink.

Next you can use a splash of fresh cream or some milk powder to make this beverage really rich. I have listed fresh cream in the ingredients but I do not use it as often. When you add fresh cream you get a real creamy hot chocolate though.

Which Is The Best Cocoa Powder For Hot Chocolate & Cocoa?

Use any really good quality unsweetened cocoa powder that is flavorful and has a deep color. Good cocoa powder is expensive and small quantity goes long way.

I have used dutch processed cocoa powder in this spiced hot chocolate recipe but I have also personally used Hershey’s , cadbury’s brands. Another one brand I have tried and liked is Mason & Co. It is an organic locally made cocoa powder, tad different in taste and flavorful but good.

How To Make Spiced Hot Chocolate?

Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 inch cinnamon stick, pods from 3 green cardamom and 3 cloves in a sauce pan. To that add a pinch of paprkia if using and 3 tablespoons cocoa powder. Instead of whole spices you can also use 1 teaspoon tea masala powder.

Mix well without lumps and bring the mixture to a rapid boil.

Simmer for 3-4 minutes so that the flavor of spices steep in.

Now add sugar and mix well.

Add 2.5 cups boiled whole milk and 2 teaspoons fresh cream.

Mix well and finally add 3-4 pieces of dark or milk chocolate.

Stir and simmer till the chocolate melts.

Transfer to serving cups gently discarding the whole spices. You can strain if needed.

Serve chai hot chocolate immediately. You can serve with veg puff, nankhatai,  veg rolls,  crackers, vanilla muffins, roasted cashews, cheese toast ,paneer pakora, cheese pakora, onion pakoda or any evening snacks or with breakfast.

Can I Make Vegan Spiced Hot Chocolate?

Yes to make this drink vegan simple replace dairy milk and cream with non dairy ones. Do not boil the drink after adding non dairy milk. Just gently simmer.

Some Tips For Making Best Spiced Hot Chocolate.

Allow the spices to boil and simmer well for the flavors to steep

This recipe yields mild yet beautifully flavored beverage. You can reduce or increase the quantity of spices.

If you prefer skinny hot chocolate use more water and less milk say 1.5 cups water and 1.5 cups milk.

Instead of fresh cream you can use 1 tablespoons condensed milk but reduce sugar in the recipe.

I hope you will try this spiced hot chocolate recipe and enjoy as much as we did. Please give a star rating ★ in the recipe card below. Follow us on Pinterest , Instagram, Facebook   for more recipes and ideas.

Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate Recipe