Spicy hot cocoa mix – perfect to make ahead of time and enjoy whenever you want a warm comforting drink on cozy winter nights.

A jar of this cocoa mix is perfect for those long days when you just want to unwind and enjoy a cup of rich, chocolaty goodness with a hint of spice. Simply stir it into milk along with a sweetener, let it simmer, and enjoy!

Ingredients

Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, green cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, ginger powder, black peppercorn and chilli powder.
Pantry Ingredients: Cocoa powder, salt and corn flour (corn starch).
For Spicy Hot Cocoa Drink: Milk and maple syrup.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Step By Step Instructions

In a spice blender, add cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, black pepper corn, corn flour, ginger powder, chilli powder, salt, cocoa powder and nutmeg.

Grind it to powder and let it cool completely.

holding a jar of spicy hot cocoa mix in a hand.

Transfer the spicy hot cocoa mix to a clean and dry airtight jar.

To make a cup of spiced hot cocoa, place a spoon of prepared mix in a saucepan.

Add maple syrup, 1/4 cup milk and stir or whisk until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.

Add the remaining milk to the saucepan and heat it on the stove over medium heat.

Pour the spicy hot cocoa into a mug and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder.

Check out the homemade hot chocolate recipe on the blog.

Substitutions and Variations

Dairy Free: Use plant-based milk such as oats, almond or soy milk instead of regular dairy milk.

Sweetener: You can substitute maple syrup with agave syrup, date syrup or any other sweetener of your choice.

Storage

Let the freshly ground spicy hot cocoa mix cool completely before transferring it to a clean, airtight glass jar. Keep the jar in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight. The mix will remain fresh for 4-5 weeks.

For extended shelf life, store the jar in the fridge.

Tips and Tricks

Cocoa Powder: Use high quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich flavour and taste.

Stir Frequently: Stir constantly while heating hot cocoa to prevent it from settling in the bottom.

Adjust Taste: If your drink is too spicy add more milk or a little sweetener to mellow down the spiciness.

Spicy: I have added black pepper and chilli powder for an extra fiery taste, but you could skip either of them if you don’t like your drink too spicy.

Corn Flour (Corn Starch): Do not skip corn flour; it helps hot cocoa thicken and give a silky smooth texture.

Milk: I’ve made hot cocoa with skimmed milk for a lower calorie option, but for a creamier, slightly thicker texture, use full-fat or whole milk.

Looking for other hot drink recipes like this? Try these:

More Recipes with Cocoa Powder

KEEP IN TOUCH

Do let me know if you try this spicy hot cocoa mix recipe. If you like this recipe kindly consider rating it using stars in the comment section or on the recipe card to help more people find this recipe online. You can stay up to date by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribing to my Youtube channel. Or why not subscribe to my blog and get simple recipes straight to your inbox?