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Chocolate Caliente: The Authentic Mexican Recipe

Español Every Wednesday, after my kids return from their swimming lessons, I have a warm cup of chocolate caliente ready for them. In Mexico, hot cocoa is called chocolate caliente, and it’s a must-have during autumn and winter, especially for cozy evenings with the family.

chocolate caliente
Traditional Chocolate Caliente as we make it in Mexico.

You’ll find many recipes out there that add pepper to hot chocolate, but trust me—growing up in Chihuahua, Mexico, we never did that! Our authentic Mexican hot chocolate is all about rich flavors, not spice.

Mexican hot cocoa
Mexican hot chocolate is a beloved drink, especially during celebrations like Día de los Muertos and Navidad (Christmas).

So, what makes Mexican hot chocolate different from other kinds of hot cocoa? It’s all about using rustic chocolate bar that dissolve in milk. Many of these bars originated in  Oaxaca, Mexico. Two popular brands are Chocolate Abuelita and Chocolate Ibarra.

chocolate abuelita Chocolate bars
Chocolate Abuelita is my favorite commercial brand, but Mexico is also home to several artisanal brands that offer rich, authentic flavors.
chocolate ibarrra chocolate bars
Chocolate Ibarra is another traditional Mexican Brand.

Though Abuelita is now owned by Nestlé and the formula has changed slightly, it’s still the best commercial option in my experience. Ibarra is also widely available, but I prefer Abuelita for that rich, authentic flavor.

ingredients to make chocolate caliente
You can find Mexican hot chocolate bars in many supermarkets! In Chicago, they’re even available at Costco and Sam’s Club.

You can easily find these brands in Mexican supermarkets around the U.S., like Walmart, Tony’s Supermarket, Cermak Fresh Market, and Pete’s in Chicago. And, of course, if you’re in a pinch, there’s always Amazon!

Now, let me share my special formula for making chocolate caliente extra special: use a mix of whole milk and evaporated milk. This creates a silky, creamy texture that takes the hot chocolate to another level.

evaporated milk, leche evaporada
Using a mix of whole milk and evaporated milk really elevates the flavor of Mexican hot chocolate, adding richness and a silky texture that takes it to the next level.

How to Make It:

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine 4 cups of whole milk and 1 can of evaporated milk.
  2. Add 1.5 bars of Chocolate Abuelita and 1 cinnamon stick.
making chocolate caliente
Make sure the chocolate tablet dissolves in the milk.

3. Stir occasionally as the mixture heats at high heat, pressing the chocolate bars with a wooden spoon to help them dissolve.

4. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10 more minutes to fully dissolve the sugar from the chocolate.

Molinillo for mexican chocolate foam
My children love to help making the foam on traditional chocolate caliente.

5. For that classic frothy top, use a molinillo or hand blender to whip the hot chocolate until it’s nice and foamy.

traditional Mexican molinilllo for hot chocolate
This is a molinillo, a traditional wooden tool used in Mexico to create the perfect foam on chocolate caliente.
Immersion blender
You can use an immersion blender instead of the molinillo

A key part of traditional chocolate caliente is the foam on top. In Mexico, we use a molinillo, a wooden whisk, to create this foam, but you can also use a hand blender to get that perfect froth.

Substitutes

If you can’t find authentic Mexican chocolate bars, you can still make a delicious version using cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon. I recommend dissolving the cocoa powder in a bit of cold milk before heating it, as this ensures a smoother texture. Once mixed, set it to boil and add cinnamon for that extra touch of warmth and flavor.

How to serve and pair

Serve your chocolate caliente with conchas or fresh churros con chocolate is fantastic!—a perfect pairing for winter or Christmas time. It’s also a staple for Día de Muertos in my home. If you’re looking for a vegan version, my friend Ale has a great recipe for vegan almond milk hot chocolate over at Ale Cooks.

how to pair chocolate caliente
You can enjoy your hot chocolate with pan de muerto, conchas, sweet bread, or even crispy churros for the perfect treat!

Enjoy this authentic recipe, and next time you make it, try dipping churros in your creamy chocolate caliente for an extra treat!

Traditional Mexican hot chocolate recipe

A special treat

By the way, if you hear any Mexican saying that they added “piquete” to their hot chocolate that means they might have added a shot of rum, or whisky to the cup! 

Did you know that in many places in Latin America, traditional hot chocolate is made with hot water instead of milk? 

Checkout my other Mexican traditional drinks

Mexican Candy shots

2

Chocolate Caliente: The Authentic Mexican Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 5
Calories 212 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pot
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 hand blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 4 cups of whole milk
  • 1.5 Chocolate Abuelita Mexican chocolate bar

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot over medium heat, combine 5 cups of whole milk and 1 can of evaporated milk.
  • Add 1.5 bars of Chocolate Abuelita and a cinnamon stick.
  • Stir occasionally as the mixture heats at high heat, pressing the chocolate bars with a wooden spoon to help them dissolve.
  • Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10 more minutes to fully dissolve the sugar from the chocolate.
  • For that classic frothy top, use a molinillo or hand blender to whip the hot chocolate until it’s nice and foamy.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Caliente: The Authentic Mexican Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
212
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
43
mg
14
%
Sodium
 
150
mg
7
%
Potassium
 
501
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
 
17
g
6
%
Fiber
 
0.4
g
2
%
Sugar
 
16
g
18
%
Protein
 
11
g
22
%
Vitamin A
 
478
IU
10
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
425
mg
43
%
Iron
 
0.2
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword chocolate abuelita recipe, chocolate caliente, mexican cohocolate caliente, mexican hot chocolate
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5 from 1 vote

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