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Chai Hot Chocolate

10 min

Drink

10 ingredients or less

One-bowl / one-pot
This decadent, rich cup of chocolate is the definition of cozy. It's warm, velvety, sweet and spicy. Especially lovely to warm up with its festive flavours in the winter, but honestly perfect all year round!

Servings

Total

10 min

Prep

3 min

Cook

7 min

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Soy symbol

soy

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Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups (360 mL)
    unsweetened soy milk†
  • 1.8 oz (50 g)
    dairy-free dark chocolate, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp (13 g)
    Dutch processed cocoa powder
  • 1 Tbsp (14 g)
    granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp (6 g)
    fresh ginger, sliced
  • 3
    cinnamon sticks
  • 6
    cardamom pods, cracked
  • 4
    whole cloves
  • 1 pinch
    cayenne pepper (optional)

Optional toppings

  • cinnamon stick
  • chocolate shavings
  • vegan whipped cream

Directions

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring throughout to avoid burning.
  2. When hot, pour through a sieve and serve in your favourite mugs.
  3. Top with whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  • †Nutrition tip: aim to use plant-based milk that is fortified with calcium.

Storage

  • Store in a mason jar in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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Let us know what you think

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Aga - Dec. 4, 2023, 11:10 p.m.

Creamy and very chocolaty, absolutely delicious when paired with raspberries

Reply
Chrysiida - Dec. 2, 2023, 2:24 p.m.

My favorite hot chocolate recipe! I remember I made it a couple of years ago for me and my friends following the blogs' instructions. I made it again now and it is as good as I remember it!

Reply
Charlotte - Nov. 20, 2023, 7:09 p.m.

I've adored this recipe for the longest time and it's a firm winter favourite. Today I took the ingredients from the recipe and made it into an oatmeal bowl topped with banana coins, granola, coconut yogurt and almond butter. It was very good!

PUL Team - Nov. 21, 2023, 5:51 p.m.

Oh my gooodness, an oatmeal bowl sounds incredible! Thanks for the idea and for sharing your experience with the recipe, Charlotte πŸ₯°

Reply
Deepali - Nov. 14, 2023, 7:55 p.m.

If I want to add coffee to this or make this caffeinated, what could I do?

PUL Team - Nov. 15, 2023, 1:14 a.m.

Hey Deepali, you could replace some of the soy milk with brewed coffee or espresso if you'd like πŸ€—

Reply
Ava - Nov. 2, 2023, 8:11 p.m.

So so tasty!! One of my go to drinks when feeling like something cosy and warm.

Reply
Shasthra - July 14, 2023, 2:20 p.m.

Amazing spice blend!

Reply
shankar - June 5, 2023, 7:01 a.m.

It's a symphony in my mouth. Just love it !!!!

Reply
Jo Bolio - Feb. 24, 2023, 1:40 a.m.

I loooooove this recipe!! It's such a nice blend and very cozy. I made a. whole pot for my family and friends and they absolutely loved it!!! I could say it's legendary.

PUL Team - Feb. 25, 2023, 7:46 a.m.

Awe so nice of you to make it for everyone, Jo! Thank you 😎

Reply
Isabelle - Feb. 19, 2023, 8:30 p.m.

Wow, this is absolutely delicious. Thank you!

Reply
Madhura - Jan. 27, 2023, 9:33 p.m.

One of my all time favorite winter evening beverages!

Reply
SimON - Jan. 20, 2023, 10:18 p.m.

Love it so much, this was inspiring! I am just a beginner here at PUL, but already think your recipes should be sent into space as proof of the intelligence and awesomeness of our civilization!

PUL Team - Jan. 21, 2023, 12:24 a.m.

Awe welcome to the PUL community, SimON - we're so glad the recipes are being enjoyed too!

Reply
Lisette - Jan. 9, 2023, 8:20 p.m.

What percentage of cocoa does the dark chocolate bar you use contain?

PUL Team - Jan. 10, 2023, 4:10 a.m.

Hey Lisette, it varies but we tend to use higher quality dark chocolate around 70%. The higher the percentage the more bitter the taste tends to be. If you find the drink too bitter you can add a touch of sweeter to taste though πŸ™‚

Reply
Sarada Debnath - Dec. 22, 2022, 7:24 a.m.

I don't know how to say,but PICK UP LIMES is my most favorite yt channel. I love it so so much. 😍 and

PUL Team - Dec. 22, 2022, 6:15 p.m.

Oh, Sarada, you're too kind! Thank you for helping make our community so special πŸ’›

Reply
Neo - Dec. 18, 2022, 3:56 a.m.

The most delicious hot chocolate I’ve ever made 😊 thank you for this recipe ❀️
It’s Neo, all the way from South Africa.

PUL Team - Dec. 18, 2022, 9:49 p.m.

Such a big compliment, Neo, thank you! Lots of love to South Africa πŸ₯°

Reply
Kira - Dec. 18, 2022, 3:34 a.m.

My mom and I tried your chai hot chocolate and my dad loved it so much he kept asking for more. I love this recipe so much. Love Kira.

PUL Team - Dec. 18, 2022, 9:46 p.m.

Aw we're so happy to hear, Kira! Sending you and your family lots of hugs πŸ€—

Reply
Adithi s - Dec. 13, 2022, 1:11 p.m.

Tried it and it tasted amazing

Reply
Amy - Dec. 1, 2022, 6:07 p.m.

I am hoping to make this for a party so I want to make 20 servings....when I use the calculator in the recipe it seems like A LOT of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, etc......is this right or do I scale down on them??

PUL Team - Dec. 2, 2022, 8:56 p.m.

Hey Amy, scaling spices and herbs can be tricky! Especially for recipes that we make ahead and may meld. As a very general rule of thumb, you could opt to increase spices and dried herbs by a quarter to half the total amount for additional servings, and add more to taste as needed. For example for 20 servings in this recipe, you could start with 7.5 cinnamon sticks, 15 cardamom pods, and 10 whole cloves, add then add more to taste to avoid overdoing it. We'll note down scaling spices as an area to improve on the website in the future. We hope this helps for now, Amy, and you enjoy the hot chocolate if you give it a try πŸ˜ƒ

Reply
Nadika - Nov. 15, 2022, 1:02 a.m.

A true hug in a mug! This has been our go-to warm treat for fall and winter. It’s just so so lovely!

PUL Team - Nov. 15, 2022, 2:46 a.m.

Aw we're so glad it's being enjoyed, Nadika πŸ˜ƒ

Reply
Priti - Aug. 9, 2022, 7:18 p.m.

Love this recipe sooo much!!! Never loved a hot chocolate made at home this much!!! Don’t think I can enjoy even cafe hot chocolate after having this!! Thank you so much!!

PUL Team - Aug. 10, 2022, 8:23 a.m.

Such a big compliment, Priti, thank YOU so much ☺️

Reply
Divyam - July 2, 2022, 8:45 p.m.

This was so delicious and comforting! Loved the taste of hot chocolate with those additional spices. I have a sore throat right now, and was craving something rich, warm and sweet to soothe my throat. I knew this site would have the answer.πŸ˜ƒ

PUL Team - July 4, 2022, 6:14 p.m.

So happy to hear, Divyam, and we hope your throat feels better soon ✨

Reply
Anna - March 3, 2022, 12:37 p.m.

I LOVE this chocolate!!!!

Reply
Isobelle - Feb. 25, 2022, 3:27 p.m.

WOW! Talk about decadent - this hot chocolate is everything you could want in a mug. So rich, thick, creamy and infused with wonderful spices! Although it's takes some effort, it's totally worth it. Even better than the restaurant drink!

PUL Team - Feb. 25, 2022, 4:10 p.m.

Hi there, Isobelle, thank you for the incredible review! We're beyond happy the recipe was enjoyed πŸ˜ƒ

Reply
Rebecca - Jan. 30, 2022, 11:29 p.m.

This was so delicious and easy to make. I don't think i will make hot chocolate any other way now! I didn't have any cardamon pods and it was still delicious.

PUL Team - Jan. 31, 2022, 2:24 a.m.

Aw we're so thrilled it was enjoyed! Thanks a bunch, Rebecca πŸ˜ƒ

Reply
Louise - Dec. 19, 2021, 2:30 p.m.

Hey PUL team !
A big thank you for all the work you put into this and the quality of the content !
I was wondering if you think it is possible to turn this recipe into an instant mixte like the ones you did in your last videos ?
If I put some cinamon power (instead of the stick), ginger powder (instead of fresh) and ground caradmon ?

Let me know what you think !

Have a nice sunday !

PUL Team - Dec. 21, 2021, 5:07 a.m.

Hey Louise! We haven't tested it out but it sounds like a lovely idea! It may be worthwhile to add less of the spices to start and add more to taste since powdered spices tend to be more concentrated in flavour πŸ™‚ Let us know how it goes if you experiment with it :D

Reply
Maisha Maliha Rahman - Dec. 14, 2021, 7:52 a.m.

By far, my most favorite hot chocolate recipe! Not only it's super tasty, but also soothes the throat and soul with such a warm hug <3 This kind of have ruined coffeeshop hot chocolates for me, as I always feel like "I can make better at home!"; but I'm not complaining. This recipe deserves it.

PUL Team - Dec. 15, 2021, 6:38 a.m.

Such a huuuge compliment, Maisha - thank you for the glowing review πŸ˜ƒ πŸ’š

Reply
Ayesha Tariq - Dec. 13, 2021, 10:55 a.m.

Loved your recipe. These spices are an intelligent addition.
Keep up the good work, Sadia!

PUL Team - Dec. 14, 2021, 4:41 a.m.

Aw it means so much, Ayesha Tariq, thank you!

Reply
Ayesha Fatima - Nov. 28, 2021, 6:22 a.m.

Love this hot chocolate recipe, the spices elevated this drink to another level. I loved how it wasn't too sweet but still has that classic chocolate flavor.

PUL Team - Nov. 28, 2021, 11:05 p.m.

Woohoo! We appreciate this so much, Ayesha πŸ˜ƒ

Reply
Tessa - Sept. 29, 2021, 8:06 p.m.

Absolutely amazing! Didn’t know hot chocolate needed any improvements but this really makes it special and especially festive. Served it with desert and everyone preferred it to the dish! 100% a new winter/fall staple.

PUL Team - Sept. 29, 2021, 9:26 p.m.

So happy the hot chocolate was enjoyed, Tessa, thank you!

Reply
Rosemarie - July 25, 2021, 4:17 p.m.

So decadent! I can’t wait to make this again. It really is like a warm hug!

Reply
Nyn - July 25, 2021, 9:39 a.m.

Love this drink! Especially the coconut cream on top is delish!

Reply
Ky - July 24, 2021, 1:25 a.m.

This is my go to hot chocolate recipe! I usually leave out the cardamom, cloves, and cayenne for a more classic flavor, but both absolutely hit the spot!

PUL Team - July 25, 2021, 9:10 p.m.

So happy you're enjoying the hot chocolate, Ky 😊

Reply
Priyanka - July 23, 2021, 5:20 a.m.

Best drink I've ever put in my mouth. And my mom agreed. I've had regular hot chocolate before, but the spices in this recipe take it to a WHOLE NEW WORLD. SO glad I tried this recipe. Thanks so much for sharing, Sadia!

PUL Team - July 25, 2021, 6:50 a.m.

What an incredible compliment, Priyanka! Thank YOU for the glowing review πŸ₯°

Reply
Katherine Broberg - July 9, 2021, 8:19 p.m.

This is a favorite in winter time for my kids. It’s a tasty gateway to the world of spices for them.

PUL Team - July 14, 2021, 3:46 p.m.

So happy to hear your little ones are enjoying the drink, Katherine!

Reply