Spiced Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate Recipe

This vanilla chai hot chocolate is like a warm hug in a cup and is the perfect cozy drink for any cold winter night. It’s the perfect combination of chai lattes and hot chocolate. And its warm, rich flavors are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it!

Out of all the hot chocolate recipes I’ve been testing, trying, creating, and sharing here on the blog, I think this chai hot chocolate might just be my favorite.

There is just something about the combination of rich dark chocolate and warm chai spices, plus vanilla and a bit too much whipped cream, that creates the perfect cozy cup of hot chocolate.

I mean, don’t get me wrong—I love the traditional hot chocolate flavors and classic hot cocoa. But there is just something special about this chai hot chocolate.

Maybe it’s the warm spices, maybe it’s the perfect blend of real chocolate and cocoa powder, or maybe it’s the fact that this recipe feels like the perfect grown-up version of hot chocolate.

This vanilla chai hot chocolate has definitely won my heart this winter and holiday season, and I think it’s the perfect drink to enjoy after shoveling the driveway, a long afternoon spent playing in the snow, or while you’re curled up on the couch watching your favorite holiday film.

And the best part about this recipe is that it’s super easy to make. You don’t need any fancy ingredients like star anise, whole cloves, or cinnamon sticks—you can use any of your favorite chai tea bags, and it’s bound to be a hit with just about everyone.

Not to mention, it takes hardly any time to make and can easily be doubled or tripled for a big batch!

How To Make Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• Whole milk, or milk of your choice. 2%, skim, almond, and oat milk all work well.
• Heavy cream, or additional milk
• Vanilla extract
• Chai tea bag, you can use any chai you like! I love using vanilla chai for extra vanilla flavor.
• Cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Ground cardamom
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Dark chocolate, roughly chopped. Be sure to use good-quality chocolate!
• Whipped cream and cocoa powder for topping, optional

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream until hot. Place your chai tea bag into a large mug and pour the hot milk mixture over it. Cover and allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes.

After steeping, remove the tea bag and return the milk mixture to the saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking often, until small bubbles appear around the edges of the pan.

Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, and ground spices. Whisk to combine.

Once the mixture is hot again, remove the pan from the heat. Add the chopped dark chocolate and whisk until fully melted.

Pour into your mug of choice and top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder, if desired.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

This recipe is written as a single serving, but it can easily be doubled, tripled, or scaled up to serve a crowd.

Feel free to use any of your favorite dark chocolates for this recipe; you can even use dark chocolate chips! Just be sure to choose good-quality chocolate for the best-tasting homemade hot chocolate.

Looking For More Hot Chocolate Recipes To Try? Be Sure To Check Out These!

Decadent Homemade Hot Chocolate

Buttered Rum Hot Chocolate Recipe

Dark Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate

French Hot Chocolate Recipe | Chocolat Chaud