This delicious Cardamom Spiced Hot Chocolate recipe combines hot cocoa with chai spices into a super delicious beverage. It’s the perfect cozy treat for snuggling in blankets by the fireplace in the colder months.
Cool weather is (finally)here….
Now that the weather has cooled off for the year (and here in the south, “cool” means less than 70 degrees), I’ve got a craving for all things cozy. Flannel shirts, blankets, fireplaces, pumpkin muffins, and….hot chocolate. Nothing beats sipping some hot chocolate on the back porch, wrapped in a blanket, and admiring my pretty cover crops and fall/winter vegetables.
Now that my garden is filled with lots of goodies, I get to just sit back and enjoy the view. Fall season brings lots of rain down here in South Carolina, so my watering is pretty minimum. Pests aren’t as bad, nor are the weeds.
I’m still harvesting watermelon, kale, beans, and peppers from my spring/summer garden as well. Life is good. Hot chocolate is good. But you know what makes homemade hot chocolate even better? Spices. Now that gardening is slowing down, I can focus on getting more spices in my diet again.
This hot chocolate recipe is one of my ways to get more whole spices in my food/drinks. It includes both cinnamon and cardamom. Both cinnamon and cardamom should have a place in your kitchen, as they are both super tasty and full of medicinal benefits (read more about cinnamon’s benefits and cardamom’s benefits). Of course, as with most spices, both cardamom and cinnamon are best in the whole-form, not the ground old junk from the store.
The combination of cardamom and cinnamon in this hot chocolate gives it a tasty chai-like taste. So it satisfies cravings for both hot chocolate AND chai in one drink. Score!
Seriously, once you start adding spices to your hot chocolate, it’s hard to stop! I’ve got tons of spice-filled hot chocolate recipes floating around in my head, but this Cardamom Spiced Hot Chocolate recipe is still one of my favorites.
It is completely customizable, which I really love. So, if you are avoiding dairy, use coconut milk! Want to make ithealthy? Use cacao instead of cocoa. Don’t want to add sugar? Use maple syrup or honey! So grab yourself a blanket and flannel shirt, go snuggle up on your porch, and enjoy this super tasty chai-like hot chocolate. Make it super special with some homemade whipped cream on it too. Enjoy! 🙂
Cardamom Spiced Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk (or for a thicker treat, use cream or half and half OR for dairy free, use full-fat coconut milk)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder OR cacao powder
- 2 tbsp. sweetener of choice (I prefer maple syrup, but sugar, honey, or coconut sugar work as well)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. bruised cardamom pods (to bruise a pod, simply use a rolling pin over the pod or use the flat end of a butcher’s knife and gently push.)
- 1-2 sticks of cinnamon
- Optional: a few pinches of other spices like: nutmeg, ginger, and/or cloves
Directions:
- In a saucepan, whisk together all of the ingredients.
- Heat on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scalding (don’t use a higher heat to make this quickly: a low heat will simmer and blend the spices into the milk perfectly. While waiting, start the process of relaxing. Life should be slower, like making this drink. There’s probably a life lesson in here somewhere….)
- Allow your hot chocolate to simmer on low heat for at least 15 minutes. I like to let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Feel free to use your waiting time to make some homemade whipped cream.
- When ready, strain it into 2 coffee mugs (these ones are cute!). Or just one mug, drink it, and then come back for seconds. Enjoy. 🙂
Notes:
**If this beverage is too thick for you, simply add more milk. I often taste-test towards the end to decide it it’s too bitter (then add more sweetener) or if it needs more chocolate. I know it’s ready to drink when the scent of spices wafts my way. Mmmmm…..
What is YOUR favorite Hot Chocolate recipe?
If you’re usually in a hurry, try my Hot Cocoa Mix recipe. It’s perfect for just scooping into a mug and adding water or milk. That way, you can have this Cardamom Spiced Hot Chocolate on cozy, snuggly days and my hot cocoa mix on busy days. All days are now ready for some yummy hot chocolate. Mmm….
FAQs
Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero
Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.
What is the history of spiced hot chocolate? ›
In the 18th century, chocolate was only served as a drink. It was grated into water or milk and flavored with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, allspice, and ginger. Some people even used hot peppers, like the recipe I am sharing today!
How do you spice up hot chocolate? ›
Heat milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until lukewarm; stir cocoa powder and sugar into warmed milk until dissolved. Add vanilla, cinnamon, chili powder, nutmeg, and cloves. Heat for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
How to make options hot chocolate? ›
Instructions. For a perfect mug of Options, boil water and let it cool slightly. Put 3 teaspoons (11g) of Options into your favourite mug, fill with hot water and stir well. For a creamier drink try adding a dash of milk.
What do McDonald's use for their hot chocolate? ›
Ingredients: Sugar, Allergen Ingredient: Skimmed MILK, 10% Fat Reduced Cocoa, Vegetable Oil (Palm), Whey Powder (Allergen Ingredient: MILK), Salt, Stabiliser (Trisodium Citrate), Flavouring, Emulsifier (Allergen Ingredient: SOYA Lecithin).
Why do people put butter in hot chocolate? ›
So, the butter in this coffee is there to keep you fuller longer (so you don't crave a mid morning muffin), provide every cell in your body with the fuel it needs, AND to help this drink get nice and frothy.
What was the first country to drink hot chocolate? ›
But when exactly was this tantalising drink first concocted? It's believed that the origins of hot chocolate, or rather its earliest version, can be traced back to around 500 BC in the regions of present-day Mexico.
What country is known for hot chocolate? ›
In Mexico, hot chocolate remains a popular national drink, often including semi-sweet chocolate, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla.
Who was the first person to drink hot chocolate? ›
It Started in Mexico. As early as 500 BC, the Mayans were drinking chocolate made from ground-up cocoa seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, and chili peppers (as well as other ingredients)—a much different version from the hot chocolate we know today.
How to doctor up hot chocolate mix? ›
Ideas to Customize:
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1-2 drops pure peppermint extract.
- 1 shot whiskey, dark rum, or peppermint schnapps.
- Pinch kosher salt highly recommended for all flavor combinations.
- Pinch espresso powder will enhance the chocolate flavor.
Adding a splash of alcohol like rum, brandy, or whisky can transform your hot chocolate into a truly indulgent and sophisticated drink.
How to make powdered hot chocolate thicker? ›
Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste. Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.
What's the difference between hot chocolate and hot chocolate? ›
The source of the chocolate flavour is different. Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.
Why do people make hot chocolate with water instead of milk? ›
Milk, with its white base, can dilute the brown color of the hot chocolate. In contrast, water's clear base allows the cocoa to appear much darker. Furthermore, water enables the hot chocolate powder to melt seamlessly into the liquid, dissolving more easily than it might with milk.
How to make gourmet village hot chocolate? ›
Place 2 tbsp (30 ml) hot chocolate mix in a mug. Add 170-230 ml (6-8 oz) boiling water or very hot milk. Stir well & enjoy!
What makes gourmet chocolate better? ›
After all, real chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter. This makes our chocolate taste richer and stays creamier than your regular store-bought brands. With better chocolate, you're going to notice a more intense and authentic chocolate taste instead of just sugar.
What is gourmet chocolate made of? ›
The best gourmet chocolate bars are generally grouped into two categories: Chocolate made from 70 to 75% cacao, and, for a more bitter experience, chocolate that's 80 to 85%.
What is posh hot chocolate? ›
Pour the milk, double cream and chopped chocolate into a pan. Bring gently to the boil, whisking until smooth. Serve in individual cups or mugs topped with mini marshmallows and a little grated chocolate.
