Want the best hot cocoa recipe ever? I thought you might! This spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate is my all-time favorite. It's made with real chocolate, spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, and has a little kick from a chili pepper. It's the best!
Cozy up, friends! I've brought us mugs of steaming hot cocoa.
This isn't your ordinary hot chocolate recipe. This is hot chocolate for grownups. (Or weird kids like mine who each sriracha like ketchup.)
It's thick and rich and gives your tongue a delicious spicy kick with each sip. Hot cocoa should always be Spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate.
This delicious drink/ cocktail/ dessert (you choose!) is made by melting real dark chocolate into milk – or in my case, almond milk. Using chocolate instead of cocoa powder means the hot chocolate turns out nice and thick and has a rich flavor that you just can't get with the powdered stuff.
Once the chocolate melts, it's infused with vanilla, cinnamon, and a spicy chili pepper. The longer you let the chili pepper sit in the pot, the spicier your Aztec hot chocolate will be. I like to let it sit for at least 10 minutes to maximize the spiciness.
You can keep it on the mellow side if that suits your taste.
I need to let you in on a little secret. This is all about making faux homemade marshmallow. ← Yes, that is a thing.
Did you see those little marshmallow squares up there? They're not real. Or they're not real homemade marshmallows, anyway.
They were a happy accident born out of wanting to have homemade marshmallows in the pictures and being too lazy to make them. Truth!
You can make your own lazy marshmallows by melting some storebought ones then pouring the caramel flecked batter into a parchment paper lined tray. Once they cool, you can cut them into pieces and pop them in your spicy Aztec hot chocolate.
Even though they swap their fluffiness for chewiness, they are still delicious.
The original spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate Picture:
If you’re interested in learning a few tricks that I did to improve my food photography, check out the posts 10 Food Photography Tips for New Food Bloggers and The 10 Best Food Photography Props to Improve Your Food Photography and The Food Photography Equipment I Use.
Original post: January 7th, 2012
From your love life to hot chocolate, a little spiciness makes everything better. The Aztecs knew this; they were the inventors of a spicy chocolate drink called xocoatl. Rather than sweeten their chocolate with sugar, they added fiery chilies for a spicy and bitter drink.
They were onto something.
Warm, thick and super chocolaty, this hot chocolate is a lot like dessert. The dark chocolate mellows the chilies spiciness while the cinnamon adds warmth without the heat. I prefer mine on the bitter side; adjust the sugar to your taste.
I can imagine serving this in tiny ornate glasses after a dinner party. It would be equally welcomed sipped from a thermos while snowshoeing. What I'm wishing for now is a fireplace to curl up in front of with a mug of this spicy hot chocolate and a good book. My imagination will have to fill in for the fireplace.
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Favorite Winter Drinks:
- Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy
- Super Creamy Almond Butter Latte
- Christmas Cranberry Margarita
- Magic Turmeric Tea
- Nutella Latte – 2 ways
- A Delicious Mulled Wine Cocktail
Spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate
Prep Time: 5 mins- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 2 mugs 1x
Category: Drink
Cuisine: Mexican
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Want the best hot cocoa recipe ever? I thought you might! This spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate is my all-time favorite. It's made with real chocolate, spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, and has a little kick from a chili pepper. It's the best!
| vegan + paleo + gluten-free |
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 2 cups of milk (I like almond but regular dairy milk would work, too)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- dash of salt
- 1 chili pepper, split in half and seeds removed
- 1–4 tablespoons coconut sugar, depending on taste (you can sub brown sugar or honey)
- Optional: 2 shots of brandy or Grand Marnier
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate with a little of the milk in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk in the remaining milk, the cinnamon, vanilla, and dash of salt. Add the chili pepper to the pot and bring the pot almost to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 10 mins. Remove and discard the chili pepper.
- Whisk in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and taste until it is a sweetness you like. If you are using the brandy or Grand Marnier, add it to the pot
- Pour the spicy Aztec hot chocolate into mugs and serve!
Kristen Stevens
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Hi, I’m Kristen! 
Hayam says
December 18, 2018 at 10:04 amThe best hot chocolate I ever had! Not just spicy, but very nicely balanced with the cinnamon and vanilla. Thank you for this truly beautiful recipe.
★★★★★
Kristen Stevens says
December 20, 2018 at 1:35 pmThat makes me so happy to hear! Hooray!
Shantel says
May 25, 2018 at 8:47 amI can’t believe I’ve ever made hot chocolate any other way! The spiciness is amazing. Thank you for the great recipe!
★★★★★
Kristen Stevens says
May 25, 2018 at 1:57 pmIt really is the best, isn’t it?!!
Sue says
December 8, 2017 at 1:45 pmWe just made this and it’s so good! The spiciness is a great combo with the chocolate. Thanks!
★★★★★
Kristen Stevens says
December 8, 2017 at 2:44 pmThe spice makes it, doesn’t it? I’m so happy you liked it!
Carrie says
December 24, 2013 at 9:45 pmI used Redstone’s Aztec bar…already has chili’s and spice.
Saved some steps. Easy and great, thanks!
★★★★
karolina says
November 5, 2012 at 1:39 amhello!;)
My english is not great but i must tell you something.
Your photo form this post is in polish website http://www.papilot.pl/porady-kulinarne/20294/Przepis-na-zimowe-kakao-Cynamon-miod-imbir-tworza-jego-wyjatkowy-charakter.html
And i think that is stolen photo… So If you want write to them to get them removed.
★★★★★
Kristen says
November 6, 2012 at 11:25 pmHi Karolina,
Thank you so much for letting me know. I really appreciate it! I’ve contacted them so hopefully they will be decent and take it down. Or link back to this site. Fingers crossed!
karolina says
November 7, 2012 at 10:33 amNot at all, I do not like this behavior. I also run a blog and it bothers me steal this.
Greetings.
P.S. Your chocolate must taste delicious.
Jeff says
January 15, 2012 at 11:51 pmThis is an awesome recipe! I love the historical background of “Hot” Chocolate, and the picture is awesome. I’ll definitely want to try this one!
Kristen says
January 16, 2012 at 3:41 pmThanks, Jeff!!
apple says
January 15, 2012 at 8:29 pmI’ve tried this Aztec Hot Chocolate at a friend’s place before and it is super tasty and I strongly recommend it for all chocolate lovers!!!
thelittleloaf says
January 9, 2012 at 12:04 amThis looks gorgeous – love the addition of spice and that you’ve used real chocolate. Yum 🙂
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
January 8, 2012 at 7:54 pmThis sounds fantastic! I’ve tried adding some spice to my hot chocolate before, but I’m going to try your recipe next. I love the different kinds of spice from the pepper and cinnamon – sounds delicious!
Kristen says
January 8, 2012 at 11:43 pmHi Heidi,
Thank you so much! Let me know how you like it 🙂
Calissa Leigh says
January 8, 2012 at 7:03 amThanks for this! When looking for hot chocolate recipes, lots of people want to use cocoa. :p Hot cocoa is nice, but hot chocolate doesn’t use the cocoa, it uses the actual chocolate.
Kristen says
January 8, 2012 at 11:42 pmHey Calissa,
I agree, hot chocolate with real chocolate is so much better. It is more rich and creamier than cocoa could ever be. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
M says
January 7, 2012 at 9:49 pmGreat photos!
I found out about your blog through the food writing course online.
Another food blog I’d like to share with you: http://www.kloppskitchen.com/
Enjoy!
-a fellow foodie
Kristen says
January 8, 2012 at 11:46 pmHey M,
Thanks for passing on the link to Klopp’s Kitchen. Is he a friend of yours? Checked out the website and it’s really great.
Thanks!
M says
January 11, 2012 at 4:23 pmYou are welcome! Mr. Klopp is actually a friend of my boyfriend. I’ve been feeling inspired lately, so I hope to start my own food blog soon. 🙂 I look forward to your next recipe!
Kristen says
January 16, 2012 at 3:44 pmHey M, Let me know if you start your blog. I’d definitely like to read it 🙂
Kristen says
January 8, 2012 at 11:43 pmThanks for the ping back!