Spiced Venezuelan Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon and Clove

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

A rich, warming hot chocolate infused with aromatic cinnamon and clove, perfect for cozy evenings. This Latin American-inspired dessert recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, brings together whole milk, dark chocolate, 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 230 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
• 4 oz chopped dark chocolate
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups whole milk, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 4 whole cloves. Heat over medium until just simmering, stirring occasionally to infuse spices for 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Remove cloves with a slotted spoon. Add 4 oz chopped dark chocolate and 2 tbsp granulated sugar to the spiced milk. Stir continuously over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water until smooth. Slowly whisk this slurry into the hot chocolate to thicken.
4. Step 4: Continue cooking and stirring for 2-3 minutes until the hot chocolate thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour into mugs and serve immediately for a rich, spiced drink.