Spicy Hot Chocolate

A rich mug of hot chocolate made with melted semisweet chocolate and whole milk, warmed with a pinch of cayenne, cinnamon and vanilla. Ready in about 7 minutes.

Course Drinks

Keyword Cayenne Pepper

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 5

Total Time 7

Servings mug

Calories 414kcal

Ingredients

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped semisweet chocolate
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder plus more to taste
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
sugar to taste (optional)

Instructions

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the chocolate chips with a splash of the milk, stirring until smooth. (Or melt them in a microwave-safe mug in 20-second bursts, stirring between each.)
Whisk in the rest of the milk and heat until it's steaming, but don't let it boil.
Take it off the heat and whisk in the vanilla, cayenne, cinnamon and salt. Taste, then add sugar if you want it sweeter or a little more cayenne for more heat.
Pour into a mug and serve hot. Give it a stir before the last few sips, since the cayenne can settle.

Notes

Heat: Cayenne runs 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville heat units, so a little goes a long way in one mug. An eighth of a teaspoon gives a slow warmth at the back of your throat. Go up to 1/4 teaspoon for real heat, and add it a pinch at a time, since you can't take it back out.

Milder option: Use regular chili powder in place of the cayenne. It's usually less hot, though the cumin and garlic in most blends add a slightly savory edge.

For a crowd: Multiply everything by the number of mugs and heat it in a saucepan, adding the cayenne a pinch at a time and tasting as you go.

Nutrition