Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe with Cinnamon and Cayenne Pepper (2024)

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Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe with Cinnamon and Cayenne Pepper (1)

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Spicy Mexican hot chocolate recipe

Disney•Pixar’sCOCO is available on Blu-ray, DVD and HD streaming today, and I have the best spicy Mexican hot chocolate recipe to share in honor of the release!


Before I get to the Mexican hot chocolate recipe (it’s perfect to drink while watching the movie!), I want to share a bit aboutDisney•Pixar’sCOCO. This movie is a must-see.

If you saw it in the theater, you’re probably excited to see it again. If you haven’t seen it, you need to!

Related: Get your free printable Coco activity sheets!

About Disney·Pixar’s Coco:

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt).

Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events.

Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” features an originalscore from Michael Giacchino and a song by Oscar winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez of “Frozen”.

One good reason everyone needs to see Coco on Blu-ray or digital? Bonus features!

Bonus features onDisney·Pixar’s Coco:

  • Coco’s Deleted Scenes – Director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina talk about the deleted scenes and the part they played in the development of “Coco.”
    • Día de los Muertos – In this musical extravaganza, the colors and excitement of Día de los Muertos come to life as we meet superstar Ernesto de la Cruz.
    • The Way of the Riveras – A musical number in which Abuelita and Miguel prepare their Día de los Muertos celebration while she teaches him Rivera family history and traditions.
    • Celebrity Tour – Héctor, a Land of the Dead tour bus guide, agrees to help Miguel, revealed to be a living boy, on his quest to find de la Cruz.
    • The Bus Escape – The Rivera family catches up to Miguel and Héctor and attempts to halt their mission to find de la Cruz.
    • Alebrije Attack – Miguel and Héctor are interrupted on their journey to find de la Cruz by a fierce alebrije.
    • The Family Fix – After de la Cruz reveals his true colors, the Rivera family puts their dismay aside and comes together to repair the smashed guitar needed to send Miguel home.
    • To the Bridge – As the Land of the Dead counts down to the end of Día de los Muertos, Miguel and de la Cruz come head-to-head on the marigold bridge.
  • Filmmaker Commentary – Presented by Lee Unkrich (director), Adrian Molina (co-director) and Darla K. Anderson (producer).
  • The Music of Coco – Collaborating with musicians of Mexico and unique instrumentation, this bonus featuer documentary explores the beautiful fusion of music essential to the story of “Coco.”
  • Paths to Pixar: “Coco” – Explore how the film crew’s personal stories resonate with the themes of the movie itself.
  • Welcome to the Fiesta – A musical exploration and adventure of the skeletons that make the Land of the Dead in “Coco” so wondrous and intriguing.
  • How to Draw a Skeleton – Pixar artist Daniel Arriaga gives a lesson on the quick and easy way to draw skeletons using simple shapes.
  • A Thousand Pictures a Day – Join the “Coco” crew on an immersive travelogue through Mexico, visiting families, artisans, cemeteries, and small villages during the Día de los Muertos holiday.
  • Mi Familia –see how developing the Riveras family was a labor of love that took the cast and crew on a deep dive into the meaning of family.
  • Land of Our Ancestors – Watch Pixar artists lovingly construct layer upon layer of architecture from many eras of Mexican history, bringing the Land of the Dead to life.
  • Fashion Through the Ages – The cast of characters in “Coco” are from many different eras, making for some magnificent costuming opportunities.
  • The Real Guitar – Guitar that spurs Miguel on his journey through the Land of the Dead is a unique and majestic creation. Watch as it was initially designed by an artist at Pixar and ultimately realized as a real instrument by a master luthier in this poetic story of craftsmanship.
  • Dante – How the crew fell in love with the unique Mexican canine breed of Xoloitzcuintli dogs that inspired the character of Dante.
  • How to Make Papel Picado – Pixar artist Ana Ramírez González shows how papel picado is made traditionally, and then you can try your own approach to this beautiful art form.
  • Un Poco Coco – A montage of original animated pieces used to promote Coco.
  • Coco Trailers – The five trailers used to promote the theatrical release of Coco.

Disney·Pixar’s Coco is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital HD. Buy it today!

In addition to receiving Coco on 4k Ultra HD, I received a kit to have our own little Coco viewing party at home:

This blanket is super soft!

And these sugar skull sheets were a fun project to do just before starting the movie. Of course, the popcorn goes perfectly with spicy Mexican hot chocolate!

Spicy Mexican hot chocolate recipe

Mexican Hot Chocolate ingredients

  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoon bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 4 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 pinches cayenne pepper
  • Cinnamon sticks, cinnamon and cayenne pepper for garnish (optional)

Mexican Hot Chocolate directions

  1. Pour milk into a medium saucepan. Whisk in cocoa powder, bittersweet chocolate and sugar, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  2. Continue whisking until the sugar has dissolved, the chocolate has melted and the cocoa powder has been fully incorporated. Add in the cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  3. Keep stirring over medium heat until the milk is steamy and fragrant and the top of the milk is frothy.
  4. Pour into mugs, garnish with cinnamon sticks and a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon and cayenne pepper, if desired.

Scroll down to print this recipe for spicy Mexican hot chocolate!

Yield: 4

Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate

Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe with Cinnamon and Cayenne Pepper (11)

Cozy homemade spicy Mexican hot chocolate recipe. Creamy, spiced and rich hot cocoa, garnished with more cinnamon and a hint of cayenne pepper if you like the heat!

Prep Time3 minutes

Cook Time7 minutes

Total Time10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoon bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 4 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 pinches cayenne pepper
  • cinnamon stick, cinnamon and cayenne pepper, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pour milk into a medium saucepan. Whisk in cocoa powder, bittersweet chocolate and sugar, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  2. Continue whisking until the sugar has dissolved, the chocolate has melted and the cocoa powder has been fully incorporated. Add in the cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  3. Keep stirring over medium heat until the milk is steamy and fragrant and the top of the milk is frothy.
  4. Pour into mugs, garnish with cinnamon sticks and a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon and cayenne pepper, if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 193Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 129mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 10g

Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe with Cinnamon and Cayenne Pepper (2024)

FAQs

Why does Mexican chocolate have cinnamon? ›

When the Spanish invaders took cocoa back to Europe, they added sugar and, because they could not find vanilla in Europe, replaced it with cinnamon. “We are a mix of traditions from Spain and from here​,” Alarcon said. According to Alarcon, Mexican cocoa has floral notes, which appeals to high-end chocolatiers.

What is the difference between regular hot chocolate and Mexican hot chocolate? ›

Mexican hot chocolate contains spices like cinnamon and chili and chopped bittersweet chocolate to create a very rich but less sweet flavor. Whereas traditional American hot chocolate is usually made with a combination of cocoa powder and/or chocolate and tends to be more on the sweet side.

Why does Mexican hot chocolate contain spicy pepper? ›

We don't exactly know how, but spicing up hot chocolate with things like a cinnamon stick and some cayenne pepper became the norm. Some historians believe the Aztecs liked bold flavors, so the kick that the spicy tinge added was probably a bonus.

What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›

Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero

Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.

What does cinnamon do to chocolate? ›

Cinnamon. The sweet and woody taste of cinnamon makes it another spice that goes exceptionally well with chocolate. Although slightly sweet, the woody flavour is more prominent and has a subtle yet noticeable impact on every dish it is used in.

What makes Mexican cinnamon different? ›

Mexican Cinnamon sticks are sweet, mild and has a more complex flavor compared to the common Cassia Cinnamon found in the USA. They are made with soft layers of Cinnamon bark from the Cinnamon tree, rolled like a cigar and light brown in color. Cassia Cinnamon is a darker brown color and very hard.

What is the most popular hot chocolate in Mexico? ›

The two most common brands are Ibarra (made by a company in Jalisco, Mexico) and Abuelita (a Nestlé product), but they are far from the only ones. If you have access to other brands or artisanal chocolate products, take advantage of them.

Does Abuelita hot chocolate have cinnamon? ›

For generations, Nestlé Abuelita Authentic Mexican Style Hot Chocolate Mix has been an essential part of the Hispanic kitchen. Its perfect balance of cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon gives it a distinctively delicious “calor de hogar” taste.

What can I use instead of Mexican hot chocolate? ›

Replace the Mexican chocolate called for in your recipe with an equal amount of semisweet chocolate or cocoa powder. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and, if you like, a drop of almond extract for every ounce of chocolate.

What does Abuelita Mexican hot chocolate taste like? ›

It is sweeter, more cinnamony and dissolves almost completely. This is interesting, as most Mexican chocolate tablets are made of unrefined chocolate nibs and don't dissolve easily. You get a grit of chocolate bits at the bottom which is not all a bad thing; they taste good.

What is the hottest Mexican spice? ›

The Habanero is one of the spiciest chiles used in Mexican cuisine. These tiny lantern-shaped chiles pack a serious punch, and a little goes a long way. They can be red or yellow and are rated between 100,000 – 350,000 on the Scoville Scale, which measures the heat level of chile peppers.

How do you make hot chocolate more flavorful? ›

The 15 Best Things To Add To Hot Chocolate
  1. Sprinkle in warm spices. Take inspiration from the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, and add warm spices like cinnamon, cayenne, and chile powder to your hot chocolate for a delightfully spicy drink. ...
  2. Mix in Nutella. ...
  3. Spike it. ...
  4. Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
  5. Add a rim.
Dec 4, 2023

What do McDonald's use for their hot chocolate? ›

Ingredients: Sugar, Allergen Ingredient: Skimmed MILK, 10% Fat Reduced Cocoa, Vegetable Oil (Palm), Whey Powder (Allergen Ingredient: MILK), Salt, Stabiliser (Trisodium Citrate), Flavouring, Emulsifier (Allergen Ingredient: SOYA Lecithin).

What is Mayan hot chocolate made from? ›

Mayans worshipped xocolatl (or bitter water) made with crushed cocoa, cornmeal and chilli pepper.

Does chocolate de abuelita have cinnamon? ›

For generations, Nestlé Abuelita Authentic Mexican Style Hot Chocolate Mix has been an essential part of the Hispanic kitchen. Its perfect balance of cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon gives it a distinctively delicious “calor de hogar” taste.

Why does Mexican chocolate taste different? ›

Mexican chocolate should taste intense and have a rustic texture. Its flavor is due to the fact that the cacao beans are simply roasted and ground into a liquor, whereas a lot of European-style chocolate takes things a step further, using a conching machine to aerate the chocolate liquor and mellow out its flavor.

What makes Mexican chocolate different? ›

Mexican chocolate is made with cacao, sugar, and cinnamon. It boasts a grainier texture than other types of chocolate thanks to all of the extra added sugar. While cacao nibs, sugar, and cinnamon form the base of traditional Mexican chocolate, you may also see it made with almonds, vanilla, or even chiles.

Why do Mexicans use cinnamon? ›

In Mexican cuisine, it plays a part in moles, marinades and bean dishes, its subtle heat and warm flavor adding complexity and richness. And, of course, it's used widely in sweets: horchata, rice pudding, dulce de leche and Mexican hot chocolate.

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