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Chai Hot Chocolate

Chai hot chocolate combines whole milk infused with warming spices and black tea with cocoa and melted bittersweet chocolate. The result is a smooth, richly chocolatey drink with a gentle chai flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 fresh ginger 1-inch piece, thinly sliced
  • 2 black tea bags
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 0.125 tsp kosher salt
  • 4 oz bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Combine the milk, cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves, and ginger in a medium saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium until steaming.
  3. Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer for 8–10 minutes.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tea bags.
  5. Steep for 4 minutes.
  6. Remove the tea bags.
  7. Strain the milk through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl; discard the spices and ginger.
  8. Return the infused milk to the saucepan and whisk in the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
  9. Heat over medium-low, whisking, until steaming and smooth, 2–3 minutes.
  10. Add the chopped chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth, 1–2 minutes; do not let the mixture boil.
  11. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.
  12. Divide among four mugs and serve hot.

Notes

For the smoothest texture, whisk continuously as the chocolate melts and do not let the mixture boil. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days and reheat gently; freezing is not recommended. For a dairy-free option, use unsweetened oat milk.