If you’re torn between sipping on something sweetly seasonal or something caffeinated, stop fretting — you can have the best of both worlds with my delectably creamy Hot Chocolate Coffee! Made with just 6 ingredients in about 10 minutes, this tasty quasi-mocha is sure to both energize and comfort you.
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About This Recipe
With the days growing colder and the nights growing longer, I’ve been craving extra caffeine and all the warm, cozy comforts I can get my hands on. This delicious and easy recipe for the best hot chocolate coffee has all the hygge charm of everyone’s favorite winter beverage plus the much-needed energy boost of espresso.
Aside from being downright slurpable, this coffee hot chocolate is:
- Made With Only 6 Ingredients - If you drink coffee on the regular and like to bake, you likely already have everything you need on hand.
- Cozy & Comforting - Wrapping my cold hands around a steaming hot mug of caffeinated hot chocolate first thing in the morning is like giving myself a big hug.
- Customizable - When you play your own barista at home, you can make all the changes you want without any arbitrary upcharges. Then add a few mini marshmallows or one large marshmallow on top before enjoying - hooray!
Ingredients & Substitutions
As I mentioned earlier, this hot chocolate latte only requires 6 simple ingredients:
- Whole Milk or Milk Substitute - You can also substitute the plant-based milk alternative of your choice (like oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk), or swap in lower-fat dairy milk if you prefer. You’re also welcome to double down on the chocolate vibe and use chocolate milk instead!
- Dark Chocolate - Choose the kind of chocolate you prefer! I love deep, dark good quality chocolate, but feel free to use semi-sweet, milk, or even white chocolate for a sweeter coffee hot chocolate experience.
- Brown Sugar - For a touch of molasses-y sweetness. Either light or dark brown sugar will work here. You’re also welcome to try less refined sugar varieties like Demerara, Muscovado, or grated jaggery or piloncillo.
- Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg - For a touch of warmth. Feel free to swap in your favorite spices (ginger, allspice, cardamom, or cloves would also be nice), or omit them altogether.
- Espresso - I like my caffeinated hot cocoa to be more aligned with a mocha, so I opt for espresso. You’re also welcome to use regular brewed coffee (or cold brew) instead.
Equipment
You don’t need to drop thousands of dollars on specialty equipment to make this espresso hot chocolate. Here are the must-haves:
- Espresso Maker ~OR~ Coffee Maker - You can make hot chocolate mixed with coffee or espresso, so feel free to use whichever caffeinating device works best for you.
- Whisk ~OR~ Milk Frother ~OR~ Immersion Blender - A whisk will definitely get the job done, but a milk frother or immersion blender will get the job done without you having to use quite so much energy. If you’re a sleepyhead like me, a little electronic assistance is advised.
- Saucepan - Every kitchen needs a saucepan. Make sure you grab one with a nice, heavy bottom to ensure even heating and to prevent your milk from scorching.
- Mug - Call me crazy, but having a mug large enough for me to hold with two hands is one of my greatest wintertime joys.
How To Make Hot Chocolate Coffee
This hot chocolate coffee recipe is simple enough that you don’t even need to drink a cup of coffee first. 😂 Here’s how it’s made:
Step 1: Mix. Add the milk to a small saucepan on your stovetop. Add the remaining dry ingredients and stir to combine.
Step 2: Warm & Whisk. Over medium to low heat, warm your hot chocolate while whisking quite vigorously to make sure all the dry ingredients are fully homogenous.
Step 3: Serve. Pour espresso followed by hot chocolate into a mug, top with a fresh marshmallow, a smattering of dried marshmallows, or a dollop of whipped cream, and enjoy!
Optional Variations
Coffee and hot chocolate is a hard combination to mess up. Here are a few optional customizations to consider:
- Spicy Hot Chocolate Coffee - Add a pinch of cayenne in the mix for a distinctively Mexican-inspired flair - and perhaps top with mini marshmallows!
- Frozen Hot Chocolate Coffee - Put Starbucks frappuccinos to shame with this frosty concoction! Make your hot chocolate and allow it to cool, then pour in a blender with ice and espresso or cold brew and blend to icy perfection.
- Iced Coffee & Hot Chocolate - Make and chill the hot chocolate mix, then serve over ice with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Expert Tips
- Bring your milk to a simmer, not a boil. You’re looking for a temperature range of about 130-150F. If you go any higher, the milk is liable to taste scorched or burnt.
- Whisk (or froth or blend) vigorously. Not only is it important for making sure the chocolate fully incorporates into the milk, but it will also give your coffee in hot chocolate a lusciously creamy and aerated texture.
- Opt for high-quality chocolate. Remember that chocolate chips aren’t your only option. You can also chop up bar chocolate!
Frequently Asked Questions
I wouldn’t be telling you about it if I thought otherwise! It's one of my favorite things to enjoy during the winter months, and much better tasting that pre packaged instant mixes you can find at the grocery stores.
Absolutely! While it won’t have quite the same richness as my homemade hot chocolate coffee, it’ll still be pretty darn tasty. Bonus points if you use a DIY hot cocoa mix.
More Beverage Recipes
As always, I love seeing your creations and hearing from you! If you try this Hot Chocolate Coffee recipe, please share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter!
Hot Chocolate Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole Milk, Or substitute a plant based milk of your choice
- 2.5 oz Dark Chocolate, chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoon Brown Sugar, or Demerara sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 2 shots Espresso , or strong coffee
Instructions
- Add the milk to a small saucepan on your stovetop. Add the remaining dry ingredients and stir to combine.1 cup Whole Milk, 2.5 oz Dark Chocolate, 1 ½ tablespoon Brown Sugar, ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- Over medium to low heat, warm your hot chocolate while whisking quite vigorously to make sure all the dry ingredients are fully homogenous.
- Pour espresso followed by hot chocolate base into a mug, top with a fresh marshmallow, a smattering of dried marshmallows, or a dollop of whipped cream, and enjoy!2 shots Espresso
Video
Notes
- Bring your milk to a simmer, not a boil. You’re looking for a temperature range of about 130-150F. If you go any higher, the milk is liable to taste scorched or burnt.
- Whisk (or froth or blend) vigorously. Not only is it important for making sure the chocolate fully incorporates into the milk, but it will also give your coffee in hot chocolate a lusciously creamy and aerated texture.
- Opt for high-quality chocolate. Remember that chocolate chips aren’t your only option. You can also chop up bar chocolate!
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