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Mezcal Hot Chocolate Cocktail Drink

Mezcal Hot Chocolate Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
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:
  1. Prepare Hot Chocolate: In a saucepan, prepare 1 cup of Hot Chocolate. Keep on low heat.
  2. 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.
  3. Add Mezcal: Remove from heat and add 1 oz Mezcal into the hot chocolate. Stir well and serve in a mug.
  4. 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.