We had a huge snowstorm here last night and I made my family a batch of this warming Mexican Hot Chocolate. A hot drink is perfect for a cold day, and it’s even better when warming spices such as cinnamon, chili and cayenne are added.
There is a ton of cinnamon in this recipe, so if you’re not a cinnamon fan, you might want to reduce the amount from 1 tablespoon to 1 teaspoon. Why do I use so much cinnamon? Well, first, I just love the taste of the stuff. Second, many studies have been done of late pointing to cinnamon as a spice that may help to control blood sugar levels. Pretty neat stuff, huh?
- 1 can full fat coconut milk, 13.5 ounce
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- ¼ cup agave nectar or honey
- 20 drops vanilla stevia
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- dash cayenne pepper
- dash celtic sea salt
- Place coconut milk, water, cacao powder and agave in a vitamix
- Puree on high speed until smooth
- Blend in stevia, vanilla, cinnamon, chili, cayenne and salt
- Heat mixture in a saucepan until warm
- Top with Whipped Cream (optional)
- Reblend and Serve
Here are some other hot chocolate recipes you may enjoy:
–Delicious Hot Chocolate from Joy The Baker
–Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate by Savory Sweet Life
–Spanish-Style Hot Chocolate from Gluten-Free Gobsmacked
I want to thank Shirley of Gluten Free Easily and Kim from Cook It Allergy Free for their lovely reviews of my Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook
Amy says
Instead of heating it on the stove, can you just continue to blend on high in the vitamix until it’s hot (five minutes or so just like soup)?
Elana says
Amy, I think that’s a great idea :-)
Amy says
Instead of heating it on the stove, can you just continue to blend on high in the vitamix until it’s hot (five minutes or so just like soup)?
Elana says
Amy, that sounds like a great idea :-)
Tim says
Great recipe. I use tiny 5 drops of stevia and a smaller portion of honey, and a healthy dose of Hennessy.
Elana says
Tim, nice addition! Glad to hear this was great :-)
Trish says
Why in recipes like this do you use both honey and Stevia? Could one just use the recommended amount of honey? Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Elana says
Trish, by using both honey and stevia I am able to cut back on the amount of sugar (from the honey) in this recipe, while maintaining the sweetness. Feel free to experiment, and please let us know how it goes :-)
Becca says
This is the BEST!!!! Looooove this hot chocolate!! I tried making it without water once… Not the best idea. It was really too heavy and rich. So the following times I made it exactly as the recipe says… And I just keep on make it again and again and again!! My boyfriend LOVES it too!! Thanks Elana!
Elana says
You’re welcome Becca!
Lily says
I love these recipes! THANK YOU again, and again, Elena! I just went Grain Free three weeks ago and your website and books are a life saver! Thanks again!
Jenevieve says
I made this recipe, but I added ice to it, and had a refreshing chocolate drink!
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
BlenderChief says
Haha, this is great. Some of the best hot chocolate I’ve had in a while.
Super Veggie Mom says
I recommend ceylon cinnamon rather than the usual cassia cinnamon most people use, especially since the recipe calls for so much. Ceylon has lower coumarin levels.
Nicole says
So interesting and weird to read this just now!! I was just saying today that I started eating cinnamon (a lot) on chopped up apples for a sweet treat and snack. I noticed that my blood sugar leveled off right away. Normally, I would need more than an apple when I get like that, but like I said, with the cinnamon added, I just normalize and I don’t need any more food.
This cup of goodness looks amazing by the way!
sgryz says
Hi Elana :)
I love your blog and I appreciate you putting time into it and sharing recipes and information. I have a question about the vitamix. Looking it up, I noticed it is quite pricey. However, reviews say it’s a great tool. I am a student (cash flow is low) and I am wondering if you know of any similar products that are cheaper, but get the job done well.
Thanks!
Brandon Nolte says
This recipe is fantastic. I tried it after hearing about it from a Angelo Coppola’s podcast (Latest in Paleo).
It is rich, creamy, and it mimics perfectly hot chocolate I have had in the past (with milk). This I think is even better. The cayenne and chili pepper are perfectly complementing to the rest of the flavors. Bravo!
– Brandon
Kate says
This was REALLY good! We are watching our sugar intake and we used Splendia and low fat coconut milk instead. LOVE the kick from the chili power and the spice of the cinnamon.
Lindsey Hoover says
This is a great photo. Warm, inviting, comforting…just as the desert is in itself.
The recipe sounds amazing. I really want some now, haha.
Have you ever tried Taza Stone Ground Chocolate Mexicano? It has an incredible grainy texture that leads you to believe you are eating some more than just chocolate. They sell a guajillo chili chocolate that is very tasty.
It would be interesting to try to melt down this chocolate and create a syrup from it to use when making a Mexican hot chocolate. Thanks for the inspiration as always!
Lindsey
Jenny Eliuk @ Stay on Path says
I’ve never thought of making hot cocoa with coconut milk! Mmm that’s gotta be tasty.
Gurman says
yum-yum This looks absolutely deliciously amazing. I am pleased to have started the morning with Mexican Hot Chocolate …
Sommer Sheffield says
This recipe is absolutely wonderful yum didleeee yum!….as are everything else I have ever tried from this website/blog. Merci beaucoup!!!
MandyM says
It is not a good thing that I’ve found this recipe! I LOVE this stuff. I actually had a nice warm mug of it after dinner at one of my favourite restaurants this evening. Yum!
I know I’ll be making this soon :D
Mike says
Elana,
Great for the cold nights that we’ve had lately. I must tell you that everything that we’ve made out of your cookbook has been excellent! Keep up the good work!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
Yum! Can’t wait to try it, it reminds me of the hot chocolate in the film “Chocolat” :)
Jill Hurley says
This sounds great! I bet a little nutmeg would be delicious as well… With all the snow we just got it sounds like a perfect treat.
Shirley @ gfe says
Looks and sounds perfect, Elana! Thanks so much regarding the mention. I’m happy to share your cookbook any time I can. :-) Just love your simple recipes and using almond flour!
xoxo,
Shirley
Anna Marie says
Why both Agave AND Stevia?
Alta says
Sounds so good right about now!
Becky D says
We had this tonight as a treat (other than the whipped cream looking stuff – because we didn’t know what it was) and it got enthusiastic thumbs up from husband and son. (and myself!)
Better than any kind of Cocoa Mix you could buy!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Everytime I have hot chocolate I forget that I want to try and add a little spice to it! I’ve heard this is such a winning combination. In fact – maybe I’ll have a cup tonight and bust out the cayenne. Thanks for the reminder and inspiration!
Lexi says
This looks absolutely deliciously amazing. I need to try this out (I also love cinnamon)
Jeri Cole says
This looks so delicious. I’m wondering if she used Healthy Top for the whipped cream. Also, just wanted to share that I buy most of my Stevia from Vitacost.com. I buy the liquid Sweet Leaf brand. Vanilla Cream flavor is amazing. The best prices. My local health food store sells the bottles for almost $15 and it’s $9 and some change on Vitacost.
Dana Zia says
I’m licking the screen. I will be making this soon! To swoon!
Anna says
Hey Elana/website support.
Just thought I’d comment about the rss feed as I’ve notice that the format of it isn’t the easiest to use. I usually read all my blogs through google reader but now when I read Elana’s Pantry, it wont show the entire blog post but only the first paragraph and a half.
I’m not sure what other readers prefer, but I would love to be able to read the entire blog post in google reader, along with the inserted pictures….
Other than that – loving the blog and the almond flour cookbook. Can’t wait for the next one to come out!
Green Shushi says
mmm this looks amazing! Especially with coconut milk!
Raquel of Galilee says
Whoa! This looks mmmm. I have read but never actually tries that hot stuff in cocoa. It’s time I did. Hey, we use the same mugs!
(must be made in China, like everything from clothes to the national flag)
Heidi Kelly says
Yum, I LOVE chile in my hot cocoa! Can’t wait to try it with cinnamon too.
jo says
oh, this is so freakin’ delicious! thank you.
Karalie V. says
Another great way to introduce cinnamon is by way of essential oils. I love adding a drop of cinnamon eo to my hot chocolate. Peppermint is also delicious! A drop is all it takes, and the health benefits of the essential oils are much greater than using powdered cinnamon. (When using essential oils for consumption, be sure they are reputable and of the best quality. Most essential oils found in supermarkets are merely oils scented with perfume. You can find out more on my website.)
For flavors of the stevia, try Bob’s Red Mill. (I’m lucky enough to live close by, but I know you can order online.) I have also seen a few flavors offered at Whole Foods.
Kelly @ 18 hour kitchen says
Beautiful photo! I’ve been making a similar cocoa lately with goats milk…
Nisrine|Dinners & Dreams says
Chocolate and Mexican are two words that evoke deliciousness in my mind. I want this drink!
Rebecca says
We drank a lot of hot chocolate during our recent snowstorm. I’m definitely trying this recipe with the coconut milk and cayenne. We love our chocolate with a little kick!
Betty says
Me too! I’d like to know what that topping is! Looks wonderful!
KellyBelly says
Oh, I always forget about coconut milk, need to pull those cans out of the pantry. Thanks
Joey says
Where did you find the Stevia drops Elana? I have heard of several flavours and haven’t been able to find them here in Albuquerque.
Laura Dwight says
I get stevia from http://www.nunaturals.com. I am new to using it, so there may be other sources to consider. Laura
Joey says
Thank you Laura, I shall check it out. I did do a research and found some online as well. They aren’t cheap are they? They have some good flavours and I might just purchase a couple. I’m hoping I can find it here in Albuquerque so I don’t have to order it online.
Joey
celia says
Sweetleaf is another great brand and they have numerous flavors of the liquid.
I have used their liquids for a long time.
Nirinjan says
Joey – I live in Santa Fe and can find many different flavored stevias at Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage. I know you have stores in ABQ too so I would try there.
Joey says
Oh thank you Becky, I’ll check Whole Foods next time I’m in there. :)
Ruth says
Oooooh. Looks yummy. And my case of (Natural Value) Guar Free Coconut Milk arrived from Amazon yesterday!! (They had a supplier problem but it is now Guar Free again!)
Mary says
Can you use the refrigerated coconut milk in the carton? I think it is “SO Delicious” brand in the milk section. Just wondered since I mainly only see the canned coconut milk being used in recipes.
This sounds devine!
Cassi Friz says
yum yum yum- a warm version of what i serve as ice cream when i need a treat- except i use honey as agave is not to be found easily in my part of the world, and i love honey. i can’t get enough coconut milk when pregnant- love it warm, cold, in smoothies, in baking, and then i rub the coconut oil on my belly!
thanks!
Kim says
What is the topping in the picture? If you have a non-dairy sub for whipped cream I would really really like to hear about it!!
Looks great.
Bria @ West of Persia says
Sounds delicious. I like the use of the blender. I’ll have to try that myself.
Micah says
That looks great! Needing a no sugar hot chocolate today. And I’ve never heard of vanilla creme stevia. I’m excited it exists.
celia says
You want to look for SweetLeaf liquid stevia. There are several flavors, cinnamon, peppermint, grape and orange and lemon. There is also plain. These folks have distilling stevia to an art. Great tasting. They also make travel bottles and tabs.
Nancy says
Yum! Just the other night I blended some NOW cocoa powder into some vanilla -flavored coconut milk and heated it up. Not too sweet and really delicious. I’ll have to give this version a try!
Trish @I_am_Succeeding says
oh how I love hot cocoa!!!!!
carrie @ gingerlemongirl.com says
Mmmm! I’ve been craving hot chocolate & I LOVE cinnamon in hot chocolate too! I can’t wait to try this!
Ashley @ Taste for Healthy says
I love hot chocolate! But I am trying to limit my sugar intake… Do you think more stevia could be substituted for the agave? :)
Mia says
Xylitol made from birch is a great substitute for sugar. I use it in all my baked goods and hot chocolate! Globalsweet.com is a good source for quality xylitol.
Melissa says
Ashley- I use all stevia in my hot chocolate all the time. If you’re used to the taste of stevia and like it- go for it!