Heat things with this straightforward Mezcal Hot Chocolate recipe! It combines Mezcal, deep cocoa, and a dash of chili & cinnamon and is topped with whipped cream - the ultimate winter warmer.
Prep time:
2 minutes
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
223
Ingredients
- 1 oz Mezcal
- 1 cup hot chocolate - preferably with dark cacao
- 1 pinch of red chili powder - adjust to taste
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Whipped cream - for garnish, optional
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Mug
- Measuring Jigger
- Whisk
- Pan
- Stove Top
- Spoon
Instructions
- Add Hot Chocolate: Pour 1 cup hot chocolate directly into the mug.
- Add Mezcal: Measure and add 1 oz Mezcal.
- Add Red Chili Powder: Using a bar spoon, add 1 pinch of red chili powder to the mix, adjusting to taste.
- Stir Well: Use a spoon to stir the ingredients thoroughly.
- Garnish (optional): If using, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for garnish. Add a cinnamon stick as a final touch. Serve immediately.
Notes
Alternative version:
As an alternative to the quicker version from above, there is a more sophisticated version of the drink:- Prepare Hot Chocolate: In a saucepan, prepare 1 cup of Hot Chocolate. Keep on low heat.
- Add Chili Powder and Cinnamon: Add 1 cinnamon stick and sprinkle 1 pinch of Red Chili Powder (or more to taste) into the mix. Let it simmer for 5 minutes so the flavors can infuse.
- Add Mezcal: Remove from heat and add 1 oz Mezcal into the hot chocolate. Stir well and serve in a mug.
- Garnish (optional): If using, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for garnish. Serve immediately.
Substitutes:
- Mezcal: If you don't have Mezcal on hand, you can use tequila as a substitute. It won't have the same smoky flavor but will still add a nice kick to your hot chocolate.
- Chili Powder: If you're not a fan of heat, you can leave out the chili powder or replace it with ginger powder or Curcuma for a different kind of warmth.
- Cinnamon Stick: you can use cinnamon powder if you don’t have cinnamon sticks on hand.
Making a Pot of Mezcal Hot Chocolate:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Mezcal, 8 cups of hot chocolate, and ½ teaspoon of red chili powder.
- Mix: In a large pot, prepare the hot chocolate to your liking. Remove from heat, let cool down for a few minutes, and add the Mezcal and chili powder. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual mugs, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Mezcal Substitute: You can simply omit the Mezcal and substitute the red chili pepper powder with smoked paprika powder for a spicy, smoky hot chocolate.
Making it Vegan:
- Hot Chocolate: Make sure to use plant-based milk and cream as well as vegan-certified sugar to prepare your hot chocolate.
- Whipped Cream and Chocolate Shavings (optional): Use a dairy-free whipped cream for garnish. Many available on the market are made from coconut milk or other non-dairy alternatives.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these vegan substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a vegan version.
What is a Mezcal Hot Chocolate?
A Mezcal Hot Chocolate is a hot drink made of hot chocolate, red chili pepper powder, cinnamon, and Mezcal. This easy recipe, perfect for cold evenings, can be adapted to taste using your favorite spices & Mezcal.
What is a Mezcal Hot Chocolate made of – The ingredients
The necessary ingredients for a Mezcal Hot Chocolate are as follows:
- Mezcal: A distilled alcoholic beverage from Mexico, it adds a smoky flavor to the hot chocolate.
- Dark Chocolate: The main ingredient gives the drink its rich, chocolaty taste.
- Cinnamon Stick: Infuses the drink with a warm, spicy flavor.
- Red Chili Powder: Gives a hint of heat, adding complexity to the drink.
- Whipped Cream (optional): Serves as a topping, adding a light, creamy texture contrast to the rich hot chocolate.
- Chocolate Shavings or Cocoa Powder (optional): Used for sprinkling on top of whipped cream for extra chocolate flavor and visual appeal.
