There’s a group of chocolate elitists out there who don’t consider white chocolate to be “real.” It might surprise you (considering I am an elitist for plenty of other foods, see fruit bakes) that I am not part of this group. I’m not picky when it comes to chocolate, although ultra super dark is my favorite. One benefit white chocolate has is allowing you to highlight other flavors, since its own is more subtle. That’s what I did here with this Chai White Hot Chocolate.
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How to Serve This Tasty Drink
This chai white hot chocolate is flavorful and rich enough to drink on its own, any time of the day. I enjoyed it as a mid-afternoon snack! You can also drink it with breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
The white chocolate adds sweetness and the chai includes cinnamon and spices, so I would complement those flavors when pairing with foods. Try something fruity with a slight tartness, like apple butter brioche cinnamon rolls or apple kuchen. The spices will also pair well with cinnamon praline stuffed challah, or vegan lentil-pecan breakfast sausage.
Looking for some similar drinks? Try this almond Irish coffee hot cocoa or a chai latte green smoothie.
How to Make a Chai White Hot Chocolate
The first step here is to infuse the milk with the chai. I decided to add the tea bags directly into simmered milk, instead of using boiling water, because I really wanted this to have a rich texture. I was concerned making the tea as usual would water down the whole drink.
Once the milk is infused, you can start adding the white chocolate chips. If you can only find baking wafers, they may work, but take longer to melt because they are larger. When adding the chips, add a few at a time and let them mix in. If you add them all at once, you might get clumps that don’t melt as well.
Salt, vanilla extract, and heavy cream help add a little bit of extra flavor and texture to the drink. It may seem a little odd to add salt here, but this small amount won’t taste salty. Instead it will highlight the chai and white chocolate flavors.
Adding the frothed milk and cinnamon sugar on top just makes everything feel even more decadent and fancy. I outline the three different ways to get frothy milk in the recipe below, and I’m sure one of these will work perfectly for you. I used my handheld milk frother, even though I have an espresso maker as well.
This tastes best served immediately. However, if you need to make it in advance, the hot chocolate itself will be okay in the fridge for a day or so. It may separate a little bit, so when you reheat it be sure to stir thoroughly. Add the frothed milk just before serving, since that won’t hold up in the fridge.
Chai White Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 Cups Milk divided
- 2 Bags Chai Tea
- 1 Cup White Chocolate Chips
- 1 Pinch Salt
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
- 1/8 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small pot, heat 1 1/2 cups of the milk, over medium high until hot. It should be bubbling but don't let it boil. Turn off the heat and add the tea bags. Let steep for 5-7 minutes.
- Squeeze any excess liquid from the tea bags, and heat the milk mixture again until it just starts to bubble. Add the chocolate chips, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring each batch until they are melted.
- Add in the salt, vanilla, and heavy cream. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes, being careful not to let it boil over. Split between two 12-oz coffee mugs. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a small dish.
- Meanwhile, froth the remaining cup of milk in on of three ways: a. If you have an espresso machine, use the steamer until the milk is warm to the touch and frothy. b. Heat the milk in a heatproof jar or mug that can hold twice the volume, in the microwave for 45 seconds, and then use a milk frother until it's foamy.c. Add the milk to a 1-pint mason jar, and seal tightly. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Then remove the lid and microwave for 45 seconds.
- Top the mugs with the frothed milk. Top with the cinnamon sugar and serve immediately.
Notes
- When cooking milk, watch it closely. It can go very quickly from small bubbles to boiling over, which is no fun to clean!
- If you prefer, you can top these with whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or any of your other favorites.
- If you don't have chai tea, you can infuse the milk with any mild-flavored black tea and add in two cinnamon sticks, 10 whole cloves, 1/2 tsp black peppercorns, 6 whole allspice berries, and/or a star anise as desired. Strain when you remove the tea bags.
- For variations, try this with other tea flavors, such as earl grey or green. I would not use citrus-flavored teas in this.
- Make ahead tip: Complete the first three steps, and then transfer the hot chocolate to a glass container. Let it sit covered loosely at room temperature until cooled. Then fully seal and transfer to the fridge, for 1-2 days. Froth the milk and top just before serving.
This recipe sounds like the perfect combination of ingredients. Yum!
Thank you! I love the balance of the sweetness and spice.
The flavors in this drink are amazing! Never drinking regular hot chocolate again!
Thanks! I totally agree. This one is a winner.
Oooooo… I am loving the addition of chai spices! I bet this is so good. 🙂
Thank you! It really adds a lot to the counter the sweetness of the white chocolate.
I have ALWAYS wanted to make my own chai drink at home, and now I can with white chocolate! What a wonderful combination. Thanks for sharing!
It’s always so fun to try making something new. I hope you get the chance and love it!
I love chocolate any time of the day so this will be perfect with breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
I love how this recipe also mentioned the nutrition facts!
Thanks! I try to include as much information as possible with all my recipes, so everyone can make informed decisions about their cooking.
I agree! Chocolate is the perfect addition to every meal.
I think this drink is delicious. I love chai and I love white chocolate. This drink combines them beautifully. Yum!
Thank you! I’m glad to hear you enjoy it.
This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it!!!
Thanks! I hope you love it.
Yum!! I love drinks like this in winter…so cozy!
Ooh yes! It’s totally perfect for curling up with a good book.
This cocoa looks so yummy! I would love to try this right now!!
Kileen
cute & little
Thanks! I hope you get a chance to try it.
Well, this sure sounds like the perfect drink to enjoy in the middle of the afternoon while my husband is home from work. We’ve been experimenting with fun coffee or mixed drinks, but have yet to do any kind of tea. I’ll have to test this out ASAP. It looks and sounds delicious!
It’s an excellent choice for a relaxing and cozy afternoon for sure. I hope that you and your husband get the chance to try, and that you both love it!
I love chai! And while I’m not a big fan of white chocolate as an actual treat or chocolate, I do for some reason seem to enjoy it in hot beverages. I bet this is delightful!
It’s so rich and creamy, and the chai really complements that white chocolate flavor. Thank you!
This sounds amazing!! Pinning and going to need to grab some chai tea asap!!
Thanks for sharing! I hope you love it.
Will try this later, as for my afternoon drink. Thanks for sharing
Sounds like a great afternoon. I hope you love it!
this is simply wow. I am a big fan of chai and its my morning and evening drink. I am surely going to try white chocolate with chai spices. Thanks for an amazing recipe.
Thanks! If you are already a chai lover, then this will taste like the silkiest, most decadent chair ever. Enjoy!