Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate is the perfect warming drink for all those cold winter days ahead!
Here we are the first Monday of October! Ahh, October, I love this month so much. In October there will finally be cooler days for us here in Florida.
We will see our first dip in temperatures into the 50's for our lows, at least once during the month of October. Which means October is the first official feel of fall for us. Those drops in temperature make it the perfect time to cozy up with a quilt and a cup of hot chocolate.
We consume a lot of hot chocolate between now and February. We buy a lot of instant hot chocolate, because Swiss Miss has come out with Simply, and it's delicious.
However, I also make a lot of hot chocolate with different flavors, like this Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate.
I used to work at The Coffee Beanery in our mall. It was my first job, and out of all the jobs I've had, which aren't that many, it was my favorite one. I loved the regulars that would come in, the tips $, the aromas of coffee, the people that I worked with, and the new flavors that were introduced to me. To this day I still whip up some of those coffee drinks on a regular at home!
This Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate was inspired by the vanilla chai that they carried at The Coffee Beanery. The original drink used water, but we had a few regular customers that would use milk, for a creamier experience.
The store in our mall closed years ago, and to this day I have yet to find anything that tasted like the vanilla chai from that coffee shop, but I'm always on the look out.
While thinking of warm spices to use in recipes for the site here, I was thinking of chai. I've seen all sorts of chai recipes all over Pinterest. And I've seen several chai hot chocolates.
I thought of how much we love our cool October nights, snuggled up watching the 13 Nights of Halloween, with a cozy quilt, and a cup of hot chocolate. So why not a chai hot chocolate!?
As I mentioned, there are several versions on Pinterest. Although I've tried a few of those, none of them have really been my favorite. They were good. But not hmm, hmm, good.
I decided to try something that seemed sort of strange to me at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. It reminded me of something from Chopped. Like if a chef were given a chai teabag, they would totally do it.
Instead of using the teabag in water, I heated up my milk for the hot chocolate, and steeped the teabag in the milk! What?! Yep, and it was perfection.
Ingredients in Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate:
- chai tea
- milk
- cocoa powder
- sugar
How do I make Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate without chai tea?
If you don't have chai tea bags, all you have to do is add these ingredients;
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground all spice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cardamom
- Pinch of ground cloves
How can I replace the sugar in Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate?
You can use any of your favorite alternative sweeteners. I've used agave several times to make this for myself.
It took a bit of tweaking, figuring out how many teabags to actually use, and how much cocoa was just enough, but once I got the finished recipe, we all enjoyed a big cup of Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate...in August! Haha. Because that's when I was planning recipes for y'all!
We love sipping on these during the fall and winter:
CHAI SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE
Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate is the perfect warming drink for all those cold winter days ahead!
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 Twinings Ultra Spice Chai Teabags
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Heat the milk in a small saucepan, over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until hot. (you do not want this to boil)
- Steep the tea bag(s) for 4 to 6 minutes in the milk. Remove. Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar. Heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until piping hot. Remove from the heat, pour into your cup, and enjoy!
- Optional - top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, and serve with a cinnamon stick.
Notes
If you do not want a strong chai flavor, only use one teabag.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 268Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 11g
robin rue says
Wow, that sounds absolutely amazing. I can't wait to try this over the winter when the weather cools off a bit.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That. Is. AMAZING! This is exactly the kind of thing that makes me happy that the winter weather will be here soon. LOVE stuff like this.
Vera Sweeney says
That sounds so good! I discovered chai tea last year in the dead of a New York winter, and I have never looked back! I can't wait to try this hot chocolate! Om nom nom.
Lori Geurin says
Your time working in The Coffee Beanery definitely paid off - this looks so good! The whipped cream and cinnamon stick make this drink look even more delicious than I'm sure it already is.
Catherine says
This looks wonderful! Loving all that cream on top!
Lauren @ Delicious Little Bites says
I drink Chai Latte like all day, everyday and love them! I've never tried it in hot chocolate before! Definitely on my must-try list as soon as Mother Nature decides to bring on the chilly weather!
Roger D Willis says
I think I can count on one hand how many times I've had chai anything! I'm not saying I don't care for it. There are other drinks I like that don't have chai in it. I do like the sound of this with hot chocolate. With the weather beginning to get cooler, I might have to search this out!
Beth Davidson says
Hm. Interesting. I'm really particular about my hot chocolate, of all things, but I usually prefer it when it's not clunky chocolate it is has a little spice to it, so this might actually be the perfect recipe for me!
Kristina says
I'd definitely love to drink this! I love chai tea and hot cocoa but never combined the two. Sounds perfect for fall and winter!!
Mandee says
Why I have never tried this!? I love my Chai Tea Lattes, especially this time of the year! I can't wait to try this as well! 🙂
Jessica Joachim says
This sounds amazing! I have had Chai tea before ( and I love it) but I have never had chai hot chocolate! This is something I will for sure be trying out.
Noel says
Bonk me on the head.
I love chai. I love hot chocolate. Why didn't I think to mix the two?
Headed out to pick up the ingredients tonight!
Erica says
I really enjoy my time working as a barista too. There's something so comforting about being around the smells of coffee and tea all day. This chai hot chocolate looks really good. I know my husband would love this because he drinks chai lattes all the time.
Jennifer Van Huss says
Chai is one of my favourite fall flavours! This is a great recipe and perfect for the cooler weather!
Karen Morse says
It looks really good and I love that combination of hot chocolate and chai! I'd love to give this one a try and I really like that you can easily make this at home!
Andrea says
Two of my favorites mixed into one. The perfect drink for fall. I would use almond milk and some honey to sweeten slightly. This is the perfect winter drink.
Kansas Bonanno says
This looks yummy, I'm going to send this to my husband. He will love it. Thanks for sharing.
Terri Steffes says
If I replace the sugar with Swerve, I might be able to enjoy some hot chocolate this year! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Cassie says
You had me at hot chocolate! This sounds fantastic and I can't wait to try! I don't use chai spice too much so have been wanting to use it a bit more
adriana says
Ooh this looks soo good!! I LOVE hot chocolate - especially when it's cold and snowy! I need to try this recipe, I've never had one like this! Yum!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
This sounds so yummy! I might have to try it out in place of my morning coffee. I love chai, it takes like fall.
Rachel says
My husband and son would go crazy for this recipe. I could make this and be the winner of the day! Thanks for sharing.
Christie Mauco | Simply My Bella Vida says
I am usually not a fan of chai but this looks very good!
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
I would love to go and try this recipe! It's perfect for the cold weather especially this season and the next one. I love the flavors as well! Hot chocolate is the best!
ricci says
I love all things Chai flavored and will definitely have to try this recipe soon! I don't know why I never thought to try Chai Hot Chocolate before!
Victoria Heckstall says
Wow!! This looks so tasty. Wanna try this chai spiced hot chocolate later. Perfect for Autumn.
Theresa says
This looks so good! I love anything with chai. I think I saw this on Instagram too. Yum!
Melissa Vera says
Tea and chocolate mixed together that is a match made in heaven. I can't wait to try this recipe out.
Melissa Dixon says
Oh yummy! This sounds fantastic! I would love to try this out!
Karyn says
I had my first chai tea last week and I was hooked cannot wait to try this hot chocolate?
Chubskulit Rose says
That looks delicious especially after a quick run! I have never made a drink with both tea and chocolate, sounds tasty.
Omar says
WOW! it looks so delicious!
Sarah says
I love hot chocolate when the weather gets cool. This sounds amazing!
Veena Azmanov says
Oh you just took chai to a whole new level for me. I love anything chai and of course chocolate.. This sounds so yum.
Brittany says
I love Chai and adding it to Hot Chocolate is a drink for heaven. I can't wait to give this recipe a try!
Marysa says
Ohh, what a yummy combination! I do love both chai and hot chocolate, makes sense to put the two together. I will have to give this a try as the fall weather is getting cooler and I love a nice hot drink on a chilly day 🙂
Leah says
I know I'm crazy, but I am not a huge hot chocolate fan, but my husband and son are...they would love this!
reesa says
OH I am saving this recipe for sure! I love chai! Never thought to ever do this! It must be so flavorful!
Heather says
This looks awesome! What a wonderful drink to have in the evening! I think my kids would really enjoy this as well.
Aish Das Padihari says
My most favorite fall drink is hot chocolate. Nothing like drinking a hot chocolate on a chilly fall evening. I will try your recipe.
Hannah Rooks says
This is such a genius idea!! I love it. Chai and chocolate sounds like the perfect combo.
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Adriana Lopez Martin says
Love the holidays and the cold weather to have a good cup of hot cocoa.Just add the cookies and the churros and we are all set =)
rika says
My husband is a big fan of chai latte! I have to try this recipe at home, perfect to warm up cold weather.
Ana De- Jesus says
I love chai latte so I can imagine the chai spiced hot chocolate being just as delicious. How divine would it be for cold winter days? x
Ayana Pitterson says
I don't drink coffee, but LOVEEEE hot chocolate. This looks exactly something I can easily make and enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
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Lynndee says
It's pretty chilly today and looking at your pictures makes me want to make my own Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate. Too bad I don't have the ingredients now. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recipe.
E H says
I love that Chai drink! We buy it all the time, in fact my daughters love it as well! We have never tried making hot chocolate with it though, will definitely try it out! One of these foggy fall days!
Cindy Ingalls says
Chai tea and hot chocolate are my two favorite drinks. I used to buy a chocolate chai but they don't make it anymore so I'm beyond excited to have a recipe I can use to make it myself.
Nicole says
I love chai, but I never thought about having it with hot chocolate, It sounds fabulous!!
Heather says
Two of my favorite things to drink on cool mornings - chai and hot chocolate! I bet this flavor combination is delicious!