Anise and Cinnamon Infused Hot Chocolate

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Warm New Mexican-inspired hot chocolate with subtle anise and cinnamon notes, perfect for cozy evenings. This Latin American-inspired recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, brings together whole milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, granulated sugar for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 250 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 cups whole milk
1 cup (about 6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp, crushed anise seeds
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
for serving (optional) whipped cream
for garnish (optional) ground cinnamon

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups whole milk, 1 tsp crushed anise seeds, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Warm over medium heat until just simmering, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the flavors.
Step 2: Remove the saucepan from heat and strain out the anise seeds to avoid bitterness.
Step 3: Return the infused milk to low heat and whisk in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2 tbsp granulated sugar until smooth and fully melted.
Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and continue heating for 2 more minutes until the hot chocolate is warm and slightly thickened.
Step 5: Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and a light dusting of ground cinnamon if desired. Serve immediately.