Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate

Indulge in the cozy decadence of Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate, a luxurious twist on a classic cold-weather beverage. This recipe pairs the velvety richness of dark chocolate and unsweetened cocoa with the bold, aromatic spices of chai—cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, ginger, and a hint of nutmeg. Gently steeped in whole milk, the spices infuse every sip with a warm, complex flavor profile that's both soothing and invigorating. Perfectly sweetened and finished with a touch of vanilla, this creamy drink is ideal for chilly nights or festive gatherings. Serve it topped with whipped cream and a dusting of ground cinnamon for an extra indulgent treat. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe is a must-try for chocolate lovers and chai enthusiasts alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 cups Whole milk
• 2 tablespoons Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 ounces Dark chocolate (chopped or in chips)
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 1 piece Cinnamon stick
• 4 pods Cardamom pods, crushed
• 3 pieces Cloves, whole
• 5 pieces Black peppercorns, cracked
• 0.5 teaspoons Ginger, freshly grated
• 1 pinch Nutmeg, freshly grated
• 0 optional Whipped cream (optional, for serving)
• 0 optional Ground cinnamon (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, cinnamon stick, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, cracked black peppercorns, grated ginger, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.

Step 2

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the milk to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the spices steep in the milk for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 3

Strain the spiced milk through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or measuring cup. Discard the solids and return the strained milk to the saucepan.

Step 4

Add the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and dark chocolate to the saucepan with the spiced milk. Whisk continuously over medium heat until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 3–5 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 6

Pour the chai spiced hot chocolate into mugs. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.

Step 7

Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, spiced decadence!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(608.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	850.3

Total Fat 47.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 74.6mg	0%
Sodium 206.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 89.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.3g	0%
Total Sugars 64.3g
Protein 23.1g	0%

Vitamin D 214.7IU	0%
Calcium 739.0mg	0%
Iron 6.7mg	0%
Potassium 1396.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.4%

Protein: 10.6%

Carbs: 41.0%