Cinnamon Aguardiente Hot Chocolate Recipe
Written by Make your winter nights cozier with this Cinnamon Aguardiente Hot Chocolate recipe! Blend Aguardiente, hot chocolate, and cinnamon for a delightful cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 197
Ingredients
- 1 oz Aguardiente - preferably anise-flavored
- 1 cup hot chocolate
- Ground cinnamon
- Whipped cream - for garnish, optional
- Cinnamon stick or star anise - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Heatproof Mug
- Measuring Jigger
- Whisk
- Pan
- Stove Top
- Spoon
Instructions
- Prepare Hot Chocolate: In a saucepan, prepare 1 cup hot chocolate. Keep on low heat.
- Add Ground Cinnamon: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon (or more to taste) into the mix. Let it simmer for 5 minutes so the flavors can infuse. For a quicker version (as shown in the video in this article), you can also directly pour 1 cup hot chocolate and 1 oz Aguardiente into a mug, add the cinnamon powder, and stir to combine.
- Add Aguardiente: Remove from heat and add 1 oz Aguardiente into the hot chocolate. Stir well and serve in a mug.
- Garnish (optional): If using, top with whipped cream and add a cinnamon stick and/or star anise for garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Aguardiente: Aguardiente being a vast category of spirits, you can use any kind of aguardiente you like to prepare this cocktail: whether it is grain, sugar cane or fruit-based aguardiente, feel free to experiment with different kinds and bottles when preparing this cocktail. As one of the most famous kinds of Aguardiente is anise-flavored aguardiente, you can replicate this flavor by using light rum as a base for your cocktail and adding just a bar spoon of white absinthe of Pastis.
- Ground Cinnamon: A dash of nutmeg, pumpkin spice or even cardamom can work in a pinch if you run out of ground cinnamon or if you’re simply looking to make a different twist on this drink.
Making a Pot of Aguardiente Hot Chocolate:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Aguardiente, 8 cups of hot chocolate, and 1 tsp of ground cinnamon.
- 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 Aguardiente and ground cinnamon. Stir well and let it rest for a few minutes for the flavors to infuse.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual mugs, top with whipped cream if desired, add a cinnamon stick and/or a star anise for garnish and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Aguardiente Substitute: You can simply omit the Aguardiente (or replace it with a non-alcoholic rum substitute) and infuse the hot chocolate with star anise for a spicy, anise-flavored hot chocolate.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of Aguardiente, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Hot Chocolate Substitute: Use plant-based milk to make your hot chocolate. There are plenty of vegan hot chocolate mixes available, too.
- Whipped Cream Substitute: Opt for a dairy-free whipped cream for garnish. Many available on the market are made from coconut milk or other plant-based alternatives.
- Proceed As Usual: Follow the original steps using these vegan substitutes to enjoy a vegan version of this cozy drink.