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Spiced Chai Hot Chocolate

Hot · Spiced

Spiced Chai Hot Chocolate

Dark chocolate warmed with cinnamon, ginger, star anise and nutmeg, like a chai latte met a hot chocolate.

Prep
10 min
Total
10 min
Serves
1
Calories
385

HotSpicedHoliday

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Steeping whole spices in the milk gives a cleaner, warmer flavor than ground spice, with no grit.

Ingredients

1 serving

You’ll need: Small saucepan, Whisk

Method

  1. Warm the milk with the cinnamon stick, star anise and ginger until steaming; cover and steep 5 minutes.

  2. Strain out the spices.

  3. Whisk in the cocoa, brown sugar, chopped chocolate and salt until smooth and hot.

  4. Pour and dust with nutmeg.

Tips

  • Add a black tea bag while steeping for a true “dirty chai” chocolate.

Nutrition per serving, approximate

Calories
385
Protein
11g
Carbs
41g
Sugar
33g
Fiber
5g
Fat
21g
Caffeine
34mg

Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.

Variations

  • Pumpkin spice: Add 2 tbsp pumpkin purée and ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice.

Nutrition at a glance

One serving has about 385 calories, 33 g sugar, 11 g protein and about 34 mg caffeine. Values are estimates from USDA data for the exact amounts listed; your chocolate brand and milk change them: check your version with our chocolate drink calorie calculator.

Storing and reheating

Leftover hot chocolate keeps in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, whisking well: the chocolate settles as it cools. A skin on top is normal; whisk it back in.

Choosing your chocolate

For drinks made with cocoa powder, Dutch-process gives a darker, smoother, mellower cup and natural cocoa a brighter, fruitier one. For melted chocolate, use a bar you’d enjoy eating: chips contain stabilizers that resist melting. See our cocoa and hot chocolate mix reviews and cocoa powder guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use chai concentrate?

Yes: replace ¼ cup of the milk with chai concentrate and skip the spices.

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Gear for this recipe

Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for the best all-purpose cocoa for scratch hot chocolate

A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.

Type
Cocoa powder
Size
8 oz
Cost
about $1 per oz
Make with
Make from scratch
From $8Check price Full review

Guittard Cocoa Rouge (Dutch-Process)

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.3 · Best for dark, smooth, reddish Dutch-process cocoa for rich drinking chocolate

A higher-fat Dutch-process cocoa that gives hot chocolate a dark color, smooth flavor and fuller body.

Type
Cocoa powder
Size
8 oz
Cost
about $1.60 per oz
Make with
Make from scratch
From $13Check price Full review

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