Cinnamon-Spiced Mexican Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream
A rich, velvety hot chocolate infused with cinnamon and a hint of chili, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. This Mexican-inspired Cinco de Mayo recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, brings together whole milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, 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 280 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.
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground ancho chili powder
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder for garnish
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 3 cups whole milk over medium heat until smooth and heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 cinnamon stick, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp ground ancho chili powder to the saucepan. Stir and simmer gently for 7 minutes to infuse flavors, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Remove the cinnamon stick and whisk in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips until fully melted and smooth.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and cook for another minute until hot but not boiling.
- Step 5: In a chilled bowl, whip 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream with 1 tbsp powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Step 6: Pour hot chocolate into mugs, top with a generous dollop of whipped cream, and sprinkle 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder on top. Serve immediately.







