About this recipe
This Mexican hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and full of nostalgic flavor. Made with real chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, and without a Mexican Chocolate tablet. It’s a cozy drink that brings a taste of Mexico to your kitchen. It’s perfect for chilly mornings, family gatherings, or holiday traditions.
If you love this recipe, you’ll also want to try champurrado
—another traditional Mexican hot drink made with masa harina and chocolate. It’s thicker, heartier, and perfect for dunking pan dulce, such as orejas or conchas.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deep, velvety chocolate flavor.
- Lightly spiced with cinnamon for warmth.
- Dairy-free and plant-based friendly.
- Ready in just 15 minutes.
- Cozy and comforting for any cold night.
Ingredient Notes
- Plant-based milk: Almond, oat, or soy milk all work beautifully (skip cashew milk—it can overpower the chocolate).
- Semisweet chocolate: Use high-quality baking chocolate or a chocolate bar for optimal melting.
- Cocoa powder: Deepens the chocolate flavor.
- Cinnamon: Essential for that signature Mexican flavor.
- Mexican vanilla: Adds warmth and authenticity.
- Chile ancho (optional): A pinch adds subtle heat, but leave it out for a kid-friendly version.
How to Make Traditional Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Heat the ingredients. Combine the plant-based milk, water, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, chile ancho, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is hot but not boiling.
- Melt the Chocolate. Add the chopped semisweet chocolate and whisk continuously until it has melted completely and blended with the rest of the ingredients, creating a smooth and velvety texture.
- Serve and Enjoy. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and serve immediately.
Variations
- Extra creamy: Use more milk and less water.
- Sweeter: Stir in sugar or maple syrup.
- Kid-friendly: Skip the chile ancho and nutmeg.
Home-Cook to Home-Cook Tips
- Whisk continuously when melting the chocolate to avoid sticking.
- For the ultimate cozy combo, serve with pan de muerto or fluffy conchas—Mexican hot chocolate and sweet bread ( like orejas) are made for each other.
- Want a refreshing contrast? Try it alongside agua de jamaica or fruity agua fresca de fresa to round out your Mexican drink lineup.
- After a hearty bowl of pozole or comforting sopa de fideo, finish your meal with this hot chocolate—it’s tradition in a cup.
Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- 1 Saucer or pot
- 1 whisk or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 3 cups plant-based milk not cashew milk
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 3 ounces semisweet chocolate baking chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chile ancho
- 1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the plant-based milk, water, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, chile ancho, vanilla, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is hot but not boiling.
- Add the chopped semisweet chocolate and whisk continuously until it melts completely and blends with the rest of the ingredients, creating a smooth and velvety texture.
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and serve immediately.
Notes
Optional Toppings
- Whipped coconut cream
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
- Chocolate shavings
- A dusting of cocoa powder
- Aquafaba whipped cream
Nutrition
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
I’m Ale Graf, a Mexican living in Texas and the creator of AleCooks and Piloncillo&Vainilla. I share easy, family-friendly recipes—some Mexican, mostly plant-based—that can be enjoyed all day, every day. My focus is on recipes that bring people together around the table, making mealtime simple, delicious and meaningful. I’m also the co-author of Yo Cocino Latino, and my recipes have been featured in numerous online magazines and publications.
Follow along on my social accounts for daily inspiration, tips, and delicious recipes! I’d love to hear about you! Send me a DM on Instagram, and let’s talk all things food 🍽️✨