Guatemalan-Style Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon and Anise

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

A comforting Guatemalan hot chocolate spiced with cinnamon and star anise, made by melting rich dark chocolate into warm milk for a creamy, aromatic drink. This Latin American-inspired recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, brings together whole milk, dark chocolate, chopped (70% cacao), cinnamon stick 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 220 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 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups whole milk, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 whole star anise. Heat over medium heat until just simmering, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Step 2: Remove spices and discard. Add 4 oz chopped dark chocolate, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/8 tsp salt to the warm milk. Stir continuously over low heat for 3-4 minutes until chocolate melts completely and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
  3. Step 3: Pour hot chocolate into mugs and serve immediately for a rich, spiced Guatemalan-style beverage perfect for chilly evenings.

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