Description
A velvety, rich, and comforting hot chocolate infused with cinnamon and a subtle kick of chili powder. This quick 5-minute recipe uses simple ingredients to create a warm, customizable drink perfect for cold days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2–3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Optional: Whipped cream and extra cinnamon for serving
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, chili powder, and salt while they are still dry to ensure even distribution.
- Add a splash of cold milk (about ¼ cup) to the dry mixture and whisk until you have a smooth, thick paste.
- Pour in the remaining 1¾ cups of milk and whisk to combine.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk constantly until the mixture is steaming hot and tiny bubbles form around the edges. Do not let it boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour into mugs and serve immediately, optionally topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with oat milk or almond milk. To adjust spice levels, add a pinch of cayenne for more heat or nutmeg for more warmth. If the drink thickens upon storage, reheat gently and add a splash of milk to thin it out. This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: Mexican hot chocolate, hot chocolate recipe, cinnamon hot chocolate, chili chocolate, cozy drinks, winter recipes, 5-minute recipes, dairy-free hot chocolate