I used to never be an orange + chocolate lover, and then something changed in me, and now I can’t get enough. I think it was developing the Orange Truffle Brownies in my cookbook, Justine Cooks, (which is now a New York Times Best Seller thanks to you!), that really got me hooked. These two flavors just belong together. So when it was time to develop an annual hot chocolate recipe, I knew that Orange Chai Hot Chocolate was calling my name!
But this isn’t just any hot chocolate. It is hot chocolate under sipping chocolate. If you haven’t had sipping chocolate, think of it as melted chocolate designed for drinking. It is decadent and it is rich, but it is perfect for the holiday season. Due to the richness, I only use a little drizzle on this hot chocolate recipe, but it makes all the difference.
I’ve been making homemade hot chocolate for years, and I always start with a hot chocolate mix. This recipe will give you both the hot chocolate mix, and then how to prepare it into an Orange Chai Hot Chocolate. That makes it so you can adjust it to what you are craving, whether that’s a regular cocoa, or an upgraded one.
Table of contents
What you will need to make homemade hot chocolate mix
This recipe uses my homemade hot chocolate mix that I make every year. I have a few variations of it, but if you are looking to make a standard recipe, here is what you will need:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup dutch-processed cocoa powder
How to make homemade hot chocolate
What you are doing when you are making homemade hot chocolate mix is you are essentially turning your sugar into powdered sugar, but simultaneously “powdering” it with cocoa powder. Once the two are together, they can no longer be apart. It’s why you have to blend the two ingredients in a blender to get the ideal consistency. You’ll watch it happen like magic before your eyes – POOF, after blending for a few minutes, you have homemade hot chocolate mix to store and use whenever you need!
Some people like adding powdered milk as well so that they can just add their mix to hot water, but I like omitting the powdered milk and adding the mix to my milk of choice. It makes it taste and feel fresher!
How to make the chai hot chocolate
The chai hot chocolate is simple, really. You just need chai concentrate (I like this brand) or a strongly brewed chai tea bag, then your milk of choice.
Add 3 tablespoons of the mix we made above to 3/4 cup of chai and 1 cup of milk. Bring them to nearly a simmer, right when they start to steam, and stir so that the hot chocolate gets frothy. And that’s basically it!
How to make the orange sipping chocolate
“Sipping chocolate” is a Dutch term, used for their incredibly rich, incredibly decadent dessert that is, well, chocolate! I love sipping chocolate, but sometimes it can be too much, so I find cutting through the thickness with bright orange juice is just the trick. Coconut oil helps ease the melting chocolate on its way.
To make this, just add dark chocolate, orange juice and coconut oil to a pan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously and it will melt together in no time.
Make sure to swirl the sipping chocolate on top of the chai hot chocolate blend, like in the photo above. And serve warm!
And that’s everything for this Orange Chai Hot Chocolate!
If you make it, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! It’s my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.
And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you <3
Orange Chai Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- 1 small blender
Ingredients
For the homemade hot chocolate mix (makes 16 tablespoons worth, 8 servings)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup dutch-processed cocoa powder
For the orange chai hot chocolate (makes 2 cups)
- 3 tablespoons homemade hot chocolate mix see above
- 3/4 cup chai concentrate or strongly brewed chai tea bag
- 1 cup milk or cream of choice
- 1/4 cup 75% or higher dark chocolate 28 grams / 1 ounce
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions
- To make the hot chocolate mix, blend together the granulated sugar and dutch-processed cocoa powder in a blender. It must be blended to aerate the sugar, so do not skip this step! Store in a jar and use in hot chocolates all season (see Note).
- In a medium pot, add 3 tablespoons of the homemade hot chocolate mix, 3/4 cup chai concentrate and 1 cup milk. Set this over medium-high heat and stir until it begins to steam and the hot chocolate mix is fully dissolved.
- In a small saucepan, add the chocolate, coconut oil and orange juice. Set this over medium-low heat and stir until melted.
- To serve, portion the chai hot chocolate into two mugs. It will be frothy, so gently spoon the orange sipping chocolate into a swirl on the top. Enjoy warm!
Such great flavors!!
I’m so happy you liked it!
Being holiday break, I used Grand Marnier instead of OJ. Keeper hot choc toddy!
I LOVE this idea
Hi Justine! Quick question, what does the coconut oil do to the recipe? It’s not a pantry staple in my kitchen. Can I do away with it or what can I use as a substitute?
Hi Jin! It makes the chocolate a more viscous texture and helps it not burn, but you can omit it, just move fast when you move it from the stove to the top of the hot chocolate!