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Sweet and spicy Mayan Hot Chocolate is made with reduced-fat milk, dark chocolate, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. It’s perfect for these cold winter days.

The first time I experienced Mayan Hot Chocolate was at Ah Cacao Chocolate Cafe in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and it was nothing like the hot chocolate I grew up with. This isn’t your typical sweet, creamy drink – it has a deep chocolate flavor, and it’s bold and spiced with warming flavors like cinnamon and chili.

Mayan Hot Chocolate is traditionally made with pure cacao, water, and spices – no dairy. For my version, I used milk, gasp, but I used reduced-fat milk.

How To Make Mayan Hot Chocolate

1. Start with a small pot on medium heat. Add milk, vanilla, and a cinnamon stick. Whisk.
2. Add the dark chocolate hot cocoa and bittersweet chocolate chips.

3. Whisk every now and then to make sure the milk doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
4. After about 5 minutes you’ll have bubbles form.
5. At this time, add a few pinches of cayenne pepper.
6. Turn off the stove and whisk until smooth.
7. Serve immediately and use a cinnamon stick as garnish.

Tried this recipe? If so, please leave a comment & rate this recipe. That would mean so much to me. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I’m happy to share and mention you. Thank you!

A cup of Mayan hot chocolate in a white teacup with a cinnamon stick, placed on a saucer. A wooden board with cinnamon sticks and a spice container is in the background, enhancing the rich aroma.

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Sweet & Spicy Mayan Hot Chocolate (reduced-fat)

By: Nisha Kapur

Made with reduced-fat milk, dark chocolate, and a few pinches of cayenne pepper. Perfect for these cold winter days.

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 12

Servings: 2 servings

INGREDIENTS

▢ 1 cup reduced-fat 2% milk
▢ 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
▢ 1 cinnamon stick, or use 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon
▢ 2 tbsp dark chocolate cocoa powder, I like Godiva
▢ 2 tbsp bittersweet chocolate chips
▢ 3 pinches cayenne pepper, use less if you can’t handle heat

INSTRUCTIONS

Start with a small pot on medium heat. Add milk, vanilla, and a cinnamon stick. Whisk.
Add the dark chocolate hot cocoa and bittersweet chocolate chips.
Whisk every now and then to make sure the milk doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
After about 5 minutes you’ll have bubbles form.
At this time, add a few pinches of cayenne pepper.
Turn off the stove and whisk until smooth.
Serve immediately and use a cinnamon stick as garnish.