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Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate – the coziest mug of hot chocolate complete with so much whipped cream. Chai steeped steamed milk with sweet chocolate, extra spices, rich vanilla, and espresso. This cocoa is creamy, lightly sweetened, and best enjoyed with a large helping of whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Perfect for sipping morning or night, any time of year, but especially during the winter. This recipe is simple to make and soon to become a cozy winter staple.
I have so much love for this simple, spicy mug of hot chocolate. It’s cozy, perfect, not too sweet, and just so warmingly delicious!
I know I’ve shared this before, but my mother could live off of hot chocolate she drinks a healthy mug every single morning and practically every single night before bed. She is addicted like some are addicted to coffee. If her morning starts without her daily mug, watch out. You don’t want to cross her path that day, she’s not going to be a happy camper.
She literally needs a mug of hot cocoa, probably more than most people need coffee. No exaggeration.
Anyway, it’s safe to say that I know how to make hot chocolate. I grew up sipping it daily with my mom. To this day it’s still such a cozy comforting drink. I love to enjoy it, especially on snowy days.
It warms you right up!
I love a chai latte and I love hot chocolate, combing the two was a no-brainerm- of course I needed to do it! The second I had the idea, I knew exactly the recipe I want to create, and the mug I wanted to use. I was so excited.
So here we are. My favorite mug of chai hot chocolate, brewed with a shot of expresso, vanilla, and extra spices.
The details
You can use whatever milk you drink daily, I use whole goat milk. Coconut milk would be delish, but whatever milk you prefer wil work!
Warm the milk on the stove until it’s steaming, then add a chai bag and steep the milk like you would tea. I usually add a cinnamon stick for some extra cinnamon.
When the milk has steeped, everything else goes in. Extra cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, unsweetened cocoa powder, and dark chocolate. Put the small pot back on the stove until it’s steamy once more. Add the vanilla.
Next, pour brewed espresso into a latte-size mug, then pour over the hot cocoa. Dollop with more whipped cream than you probably should. If you’d like, add a dusting of cinnamon and or chocolate shavings.
If you need something sweet to warm things up this winter, make this hot chocolate. It’s so well-loved. As long as you have milk, chai, and chocolate, you can easily make it anytime. Trust me, you’ll enjoy every sip of this cocoa! And again, don’t skimp on the whipped cream – that’s Asher’s favorite part!
And if you’re wondering, my mom approves too!
Tis’ perfect.
Looking for other warming desserts? Here are a few ideas:
Chocolate Chunk Chai Banana Bread
Lastly, if you make Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate
Servings: 1 mug
Calories Per Serving: 478 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 bag chai
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 ounce dark chocolate
- 2-4 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ounce espresso
- so much whipped cream
- grated chocolate shavings and cinnamon sticks (optional)
Instructions
- 1. In a small pot, bring the milk to a gentle boil. Remove from the heat and add the chai bag and star anise (if using). Cover and steep 10 minutes. 2. Remove the tea bag and add the cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and honey. Place over low heat and stir until the milk is steaming. Stir in the vanilla. 3. Pour the hot espresso into a mug, then pour over the hot chocolate. Dollop with whipped cream, and top with chocolate shavings and cinnamon. Drink and enjoy!
I LOVED this hot chocolate! I had to tweak the recipe slightly, as I can’t have dairy. I used the same amount of milk that it called for, but used oatmilk instead. And because this dairy-free stuff is new to me, I didn’t know if plant-based whipped cream existed, so I used a vanilla coconutmilk+almondmilk creamer in its place. DO NOT OMIT THE WHIPPED CREAM OR CREAMER!!! I found that before adding that, the drink was super intense all around. I love dark chocolate, but it was a bit too BAM! in your face dark chocolate for my liking. It felt like I was drinking a spiced candy bar.
Overall, on a scale of 1-5 I would rate this a whole 7, hands down. Absolutely delicious!
A note on the oatmilk: I used a barista blend which was super creamy and the texture was great! If you’re not a huge fan of the taste of oatmilk (I’m not, but it’s growing on me) I promise the flavor of it is totally lost amongst the chocolate and spices. Definitely consider giving it a try!
Hey Allison,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it turned out well for you:)
Delicious – what a great cup of cozy!
Hey Kelly,
Happy Friday!😁 Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Just catching up on my emails.
I cannot have any form of ‘brown’ chocolate, sadly
But thinking of making this with White chocolate. And maybe something alcohol added..to add flavor in place of the missing brown. Nice to warm up on a cold winter evening..
Thanks. T.
Sounds like a great idea Leslie!! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! xx
Anything chai is a yes for me . Ran out of honey so I subbed with maple syrup and it was so good
Hey Mariana,
Happy Sunday!😃 Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, I am so glad it turned out well for you! xx
AMAZING. I’ve replaced my bi-weekly Starbucks with this. Making this drink is the pinnacle of self care it’s so good, and the spices are so good for you. I make mine with oat milk and maple syrup instead of milk and honey. Delicious. This recipe is going in my recipe tin, and I will keep coming back to it again and again.
Hey Emily,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was tasty! xx
A delicious hot drink on a cold day. I had most of the ingredients on hand (how am I out of ground ginger?) and it came together quickly. I agree with the comment – definite coffee house vibes.
Thank you!
Hey Karen,
Perfect!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xx
Well, I made this as an afternoon pick me up and it did not disappoint! Coffe shop vibes without leaving the house or spending the big bucks!
Hey Lorelei,
Perfect!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
Wow!!! Made this this morning after a long snowy winter hike. Amazing. Can’t help wondering how it would be using Kailua instead if the espresso. The right balance of flavourful and sweetness.
Hey Sue,
Happy Wednesday!! ❄️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT
This looks amazing! I haven’t made it yet but I was wondering if you can make it without the espresso in it? Thanks!
Hey Emily,
Sure, you can skip the espresso:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Delicious!
Do you by any chance have a recipe for a chai infused oatmeal?
Hey Kim,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! So sorry I don’t, but love the idea! xT
I’ve made this several times and used oatmilk. The flavors are really great. They only thing I’m finding is that the spices don’t fully dissolve so it is a bit gritty. I think steeping with cinnamon, stick, fresh ginger, and cardamom pods might be a bit better to eliminate that problem.
Hey Abby,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Sorry about the spices!! xT