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Indulge the spicy team with this easy hot chocolate recipe. It has all the goodness of classic hot cocoa and a little heat to wake up your taste buds!
Spicy Hot Cocoa
While my famous hot cocoa is always a hit, I can’t get enough of hot chocolate variations! That’s why I decided to make this easy spicy hot chocolate recipe with a hint of cayenne pepper. It’s out of this world!
If you have heard about Mexican hot chocolate, you’ll love this recipe. It’s just as delicious, but I use cayenne instead of chili powder and cinnamon for a simpler yet spicier flavor.
Ingredients
The base of this recipe is unsweetened cocoa powder. For sweetness, I use brown sugar because its molasses balances out the spice, but you can use white sugar instead. You’ll also need hot water, a pinch of salt, cayenne pepper, any regular or non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract.
How to Make Spicy Hot Chocolate
Here are the steps that make these delicious mugs possible:
- Combine cocoa powder, sugar, water, salt, and cayenne pepper, and cook until the sugar has fully dissolved and the mixture simmers. Remember to stir constantly.
- Add milk to the mix and bring it to a simmer, making sure it doesn't boil. Add the vanilla after turning off the heat.
- Serve into mugs and add the best toppings, such as whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder, or marshmallows.
More Ways to Make Hot Chocolate
With so many hot chocolate recipes in this blog, where to start? Well, if you’re all about holiday flavors, you need to try this pumpkin spice hot chocolate, this peppermint hot cocoa, and this delish gingerbread hot chocolate!
Spicy Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup brown sugar, or white sugar
- ⅓ cup hot water
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 cups milk, any
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Cook:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, brown sugar, water, salt, and cayenne pepper over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has fully dissolved into the cocoa and the mixture is simmering.
- Pour in the milk and mix it with the chocolate. Bring it to a simmer but do not boil.
Serve:
- Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and serve immediately.
Esther says
Super rich and creamy and I love the pop of heat. Perfect for these chilly nights we’ve been having.
Jas says
I really enjoyed how you framed spicy hot chocolate, it sounds both comforting and bold. It’s a great example of how food can surprise us while still feeling familiar.
khoingn | The Broad Life says
This sounds like such a cozy and fun twist on classic hot chocolate. I love the idea of adding a little spice to warm things up even more.
Sonia Seivwright says
On chilly nights, I reach for rituals that feel a little special. Using maple syrup with chocolate, plus your spice suggestion, makes this hot chocolate feel thoughtful and grown up.
Barbie R says
Oh my this Mexican hot chocolate sounds like a drink for me. I love spicey stuff and putting in brown sugar sounds amazing too. I will be making this soon.