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Recipes » beverages » Chai Hot Chocolate

Chai Hot Chocolate

By Kate Morgan Jackson

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Spice up your your holidays with this recipe for chai hot chocolate! Full of all the spicy goodness of chai tea and the extra flavor of rich chocolate.  Now that’s what I call merry!

how to make chai hot chocolate

Here’s the thing about this time of year.  It’s heartwarming, and exciting, and magical…and exhausting.  Because let’s face it, we were a little busy even before we started having to make all those lists and check them twice, right?

Don’t get me wrong – I like the holidays as much as the next girl.  The holiday music that is on every channel.  The cards, especially those photo cards that show friends and family in all their holiday merriment.  ALL THE PEPPERMINT.

I love decorating the entire house within an inch of its life.  Even those parts that don’t especially love being draped in jingle bells…I just can’t help it.

dog with Christmas collar

In addition to all this, my birthday is in the middle of December – and the day after my birthday is the Southern daughter’s birthday.  And the dog’s birthday.  (Not kidding about that – it really IS the dog’s birthday.)

And six days after that is my anniversary.  From now to New Year’s Eve, it’s a merry, action-packed blur of wrapping paper and champagne…and I know you can relate, even without birthdays and anniversaries thrown into the mix.

Which brings me to the reason (you knew I had a reason, right??) for this particular post.  Sometime amid all the shopping and the wrapping and the baking and the tinsel, take a few minutes and make this for yourself.

This is NOT your garden variety cup of hot chocolate.  This is the kind of hot chocolate that someone who has been running around like Santa’s head elf deserves. 

It’s not made with powder, it’s made with milk and bittersweet chocolate and chai spices and brown sugar and fresh ginger.

It’s topped with a swirl of sweet ginger cream that slowly melts into the chocolate.  It’s an amazing, once a year holiday treat that has to be sipped slowly and with your eyes closed.

So give yourself a gift sometime in the next few weeks and make this.  Turn your favorite holiday music on low, curl up in your favorite chair, and be quietly merry.

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how to make chai hot chocolate

Chai Hot Chocolate


  • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
  • Category: Beverages
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

Spice up your your holidays with this recipe for chai hot chocolate! Full of all the spicy goodness of chai tea and the extra flavor of rich chocolate.


Ingredients

  • 4 cups milk
  • 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate pieces or chips (I used Ghiradelli)
  • 10 cardamom pods, coarsely cracked (and if you can’t find these, don’t give up! Just use a little cardamom powder, or some extra allspice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice, cracked
  • 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (yes pepper!  Don’t skip it!)
  • 5 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 6 quarter-size slices fresh ginger plus 1/2 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
  • 1/2 cup chilled whipping cream

Instructions

  1. Combine first 6 ingredients, 4 tablespoons brown sugar, and ginger slices in medium saucepan. Bring almost to simmer, whisking frequently. Remove from heat; cover and steep 10 minutes. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk cream, remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar, grated ginger, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl to peaks. Add more sugar to taste if not sweet enough for your taste.
  3. Strain hot chocolate. Ladle into 6 mugs. Top each with a swirl of ginger cream.
29024.2 g81.3 mg16.9 g10.3 g0.3 g27.4 g1.8 g7.4 g31.8 mg

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Adapted from Epicurious

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Kate Morgan Jackson

Hi there!  I’m Kate, and I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover.  I started Framed Cooks in 2009, and my mission is to create and share family-friendly recipes that make cooking both easy and fun…yes, I said FUN!  My kitchen is my happy place, and I want yours to be that place too.  And if you make this recipe, I would love you to tag @FramedCooks on Instagram so I can see the deliciousness!

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Published on December 1, 2015

Good for: Christmas/Holidays, New Year's Eve

Last Post:
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  1. Joanne says

    December 9, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    I think we definitely all need to remember to take a few minutes and SLOW DOWN this holiday season. I know I do. This chai hot chocolate, with all of its warming spices, seems like the perfect way to do it!

    Reply
  2. Kelly Berkey says

    December 9, 2010 at 9:42 pm

    that sounds delish! i'll have to try your recipe with a shot of espresso! xo

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    December 10, 2010 at 7:35 pm

    awwww! the photo of the dog is so cute!

    Reply
  4. Mindy says

    December 1, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    Um, this sounds like heaven. And I feel ya on the busy month. My whole family, including me, will be turning a year older. It’s HECTIC!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      December 3, 2015 at 6:11 am

      Hectic is right! So you make sure to save a little time to have this cup of deliciousness, okay? :)

      Reply
  5. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    December 2, 2015 at 6:40 am

    Lots of birthdays in December! This chai hot chocolate looks amazing, Kate! Chai and hot chocolate are two of my favorites, so I’m loving this combo! Cant’ wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      December 3, 2015 at 6:11 am

      Two great tastes that taste great together! :)

      Reply
  6. Gaila says

    December 2, 2015 at 8:52 am

    Wao Kate it seems like a great calendar you have going on December! This chai chocolate is definitely something I would have to taste! Love your dog pic!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      December 3, 2015 at 6:12 am

      I know, it’s CRAZY! And thanks about the dog – I really only make her wear that collar for the picture and then I let her off the hook. :)

      Reply
  7. Mir says

    December 2, 2015 at 9:45 am

    We definitely don’t need more on our to-do lists, Kate, but somehow the tasks keep piling on! I hope that when your birthday comes, you’re able to relax and just let go for a while. Probably having a cup of this in your hand will help. Looks great!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      December 3, 2015 at 6:13 am

      It will definitely help and that is definitely my plan. :)

      Reply
  8. Linda says

    December 2, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    Chai, my favorite! This sounds scrumptious.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      December 3, 2015 at 6:13 am

      I think we need to have a cup together, Linda! :)

      Reply
  9. grace says

    December 2, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    YUM. i love chai spices! here’s hoping you’re able to separately enjoy and appreciate each occasion that pops up in december!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      December 3, 2015 at 6:13 am

      That is definitely my plan! Thanks Grace!

      Reply
  10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    December 2, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    I could not agree more, the holidays are totally exhausting! I get exhausted months in advance just thinking about them! But dang, you have A LOT of birthdays and holidays in between! First of all, happy early birthday to all and happy early anny! My husband loves hot chocolate (I only don’t because I am allergic), and I KNOW he would love this chai hot chocolate! Such a great sip to enjoy and relax! Hope all is going okay with you! You have been in my thoughts and prayers! xoxo

    Reply
    • Kate says

      December 3, 2015 at 6:14 am

      Thank you my friend! I am going to cherish each and every moment, hectic or not! Hope all is okay with you too – I am sending so many prayers and hugs your way. xoxoxox

      Reply
  11. Candice says

    September 7, 2016 at 11:14 am

    This looks so delicious! Thanks for the share!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      September 9, 2016 at 5:48 am

      I’m so glad you like it!

      Reply

Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. I’m so glad you’re here!

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