This delicious Cardamom Spiced Hot Chocolate recipe combines hot cocoa with chai spices into a super delicious beverage. It’s the perfect cozy treat for snuggling in blankets by the fireplace in the colder months.
Cool weather is (finally)here….
Now that the weather has cooled off for the year (and here in the south, “cool” means less than 70 degrees), I’ve got a craving for all things cozy. Flannel shirts, blankets, fireplaces, pumpkin muffins, and….hot chocolate. Nothing beats sipping some hot chocolate on the back porch, wrapped in a blanket, and admiring my pretty cover crops and fall/winter vegetables.
Now that my garden is filled with lots of goodies, I get to just sit back and enjoy the view. Fall season brings lots of rain down here in South Carolina, so my watering is pretty minimum. Pests aren’t as bad, nor are the weeds.
I’m still harvesting watermelon, kale, beans, and peppers from my spring/summer garden as well. Life is good. Hot chocolate is good. But you know what makes homemade hot chocolate even better? Spices. Now that gardening is slowing down, I can focus on getting more spices in my diet again.
This hot chocolate recipe is one of my ways to get more whole spices in my food/drinks. It includes both cinnamon and cardamom. Both cinnamon and cardamom should have a place in your kitchen, as they are both super tasty and full of medicinal benefits (read more about cinnamon’s benefits and cardamom’s benefits). Of course, as with most spices, both cardamom and cinnamon are best in the whole-form, not the ground old junk from the store.
The combination of cardamom and cinnamon in this hot chocolate gives it a tasty chai-like taste. So it satisfies cravings for both hot chocolate AND chai in one drink. Score!
Seriously, once you start adding spices to your hot chocolate, it’s hard to stop! I’ve got tons of spice-filled hot chocolate recipes floating around in my head, but this Cardamom Spiced Hot Chocolate recipe is still one of my favorites.
It is completely customizable, which I really love. So, if you are avoiding dairy, use coconut milk! Want to make ithealthy? Use cacao instead of cocoa. Don’t want to add sugar? Use maple syrup or honey! So grab yourself a blanket and flannel shirt, go snuggle up on your porch, and enjoy this super tasty chai-like hot chocolate. Make it super special with some homemade whipped cream on it too. Enjoy! 🙂
Cardamom Spiced Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk (or for a thicker treat, use cream or half and half OR for dairy free, use full-fat coconut milk)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder OR cacao powder
- 2 tbsp. sweetener of choice (I prefer maple syrup, but sugar, honey, or coconut sugar work as well)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. bruised cardamom pods (to bruise a pod, simply use a rolling pin over the pod or use the flat end of a butcher’s knife and gently push.)
- 1-2 sticks of cinnamon
- Optional: a few pinches of other spices like: nutmeg, ginger, and/or cloves
Directions:
- In a saucepan, whisk together all of the ingredients.
- Heat on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scalding (don’t use a higher heat to make this quickly: a low heat will simmer and blend the spices into the milk perfectly. While waiting, start the process of relaxing. Life should be slower, like making this drink. There’s probably a life lesson in here somewhere….)
- Allow your hot chocolate to simmer on low heat for at least 15 minutes. I like to let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Feel free to use your waiting time to make some homemade whipped cream.
- When ready, strain it into 2 coffee mugs (these ones are cute!). Or just one mug, drink it, and then come back for seconds. Enjoy. 🙂
Notes:
**If this beverage is too thick for you, simply add more milk. I often taste-test towards the end to decide it it’s too bitter (then add more sweetener) or if it needs more chocolate. I know it’s ready to drink when the scent of spices wafts my way. Mmmmm…..
What is YOUR favorite Hot Chocolate recipe?
If you’re usually in a hurry, try my Hot Cocoa Mix recipe. It’s perfect for just scooping into a mug and adding water or milk. That way, you can have this Cardamom Spiced Hot Chocolate on cozy, snuggly days and my hot cocoa mix on busy days. All days are now ready for some yummy hot chocolate. Mmm….
FAQs
In the world of flavors, some combinations are so perfect they seem destined to be together. One such match is the pairing of cardamom and dark chocolate. Cardamom, with its warm, spicy-sweet aroma and citrusy undertones, is a spice that has been prized for centuries.
How do you spice up hot chocolate? ›
The 15 Best Things To Add To Hot Chocolate
- Sprinkle in warm spices. Take inspiration from the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, and add warm spices like cinnamon, cayenne, and chile powder to your hot chocolate for a delightfully spicy drink. ...
- Mix in Nutella. ...
- Spike it. ...
- Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
- Add a rim.
Cardamom harmonizes beautifully with warming spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, to infuse dishes with captivating essence. Bringing forth a medley of flavor, this remarkable spice can elevate a variety of dishes, like stews, soups and curries, baked goods, desserts, and beverages such as coffee or tea.
Where did spiced hot chocolate originate? ›
It Started in Mexico
As early as 500 BC, the Mayans were drinking chocolate made from ground-up cocoa seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, and chili peppers (as well as other ingredients)—a much different version from the hot chocolate we know today.
Who should not use cardamom? ›
People with gallstones should not take cardamom except to flavor food. We also need more research to determine the effects of large amounts of cardamom on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What blends well with cardamom? ›
Whether you are creating your own essential oil diffuser blend, or looking for the best companion for Cardamom, consider using Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Fennel, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, or citrus essential oils.
What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›
Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero
Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.
How to doctor up hot chocolate mix? ›
Ideas to Customize:
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1-2 drops pure peppermint extract.
- 1 shot whiskey, dark rum, or peppermint schnapps.
- Pinch kosher salt highly recommended for all flavor combinations.
- Pinch espresso powder will enhance the chocolate flavor.
Replace 1/2 cup of the milk in your hot chocolate with a fruity red wine such as Merlot or Zinfandel. Amaretto or Frangelico: One is almond, the other is hazelnut, but both earthy and nutty liqueurs add richness and depth to a cup of creamy cocoa. Try whisking in a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or allspice as well.
Do cardamom and cinnamon go together? ›
Cinnamon, apple, and cardamom are excellent partners, and if you're unaccustomed to working with “the queen of spices,” I suggest you start there. If you're making an apple cake that uses cinnamon, add a dusting of cardamom, too; or take a leap of faith and substitute the cinnamon with cardamom.
To do so, first toast the pods in a skillet. This helps bring out the flavor and makes it easier to open. From here you can remove the seeds from the pods and grind them by hand. Be sure to save the empty pods — they can be used to infuse coffee or teas.
What spice is cardamom most like? ›
The best replacements for ground cardamom are spices that have that same aroma and flavor, such as allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Why is Mexican hot chocolate spicy? ›
Mexican hot chocolate includes various spices, including cinnamon, cloves, and ancho chili pepper. These ingredients give it a unique flavor that is sweet and slightly spicy. The chocolate used in Mexican hot chocolate is typically dark chocolate, which has a higher cocoa content than milk chocolate or white chocolate.
Which country has the best hot chocolate in the world? ›
Both Switzerland and France are renowned for their hot chocolate, and each country offers a distinct experience. Switzerland is famous for its rich and indulgent hot chocolate. Swiss hot chocolate tends to be thick, creamy, and often made with high-quality chocolate.
What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa? ›
Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.
What flavor pairs well with chocolate? ›
Milk chocolate pairs well with caramel, honey, coconut, lavender, curry powder and asiago. Other foods that pair well with white chocolate include sea salt caramel, agave nectar, maple syrup, lemongrass and wasabi.
What herbs pair well with chocolate? ›
Herbs and spices that go well with dark chocolate include… cardamom, fennel, lavender, cinnamon, spearmint, basil, chipotle, and ginger.
What sweet flavors go with cardamom? ›
For example, it's friendliest to fruits that aren't overly sweet. Apples are a prime example (cardamom is perfect in pie), as are pears. Grapes are another fine pairing—that is, once converted into wine (try mulling wine with a couple pods).
