Honey Hot Chocolate: Rich, Creamy and Sweetened Only With Honey
Honey hot chocolate swaps white sugar for honey and gets a deeper, rounder flavor in the process. Honey and cocoa are natural partners: floral honeys bring out fruity notes in chocolate, and dark honeys add a malty, caramel richness. This guide gives you a cocoa version, a chopped-chocolate version, which honey to use and spiced variations for cold nights.
Cocoa honey hot chocolate
This makes one large mug. Making a paste first prevents lumps, because cocoa powder clumps in cold liquid.
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk or any plant milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons honey, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and a tiny pinch of salt
- Optional: cinnamon, whipped cream
Method
Put the cocoa in a small saucepan with 2 tablespoons of milk and whisk into a smooth paste over low heat. Gradually whisk in the rest of the milk and heat until steaming, with small bubbles around the edge. Do not let it boil. Take the pan off the heat, then stir in the honey, vanilla and salt. Adding honey off the heat keeps its flavor and stops it from scorching on the bottom of the pan.
Chopped chocolate version
For an extra-rich, European-style hot chocolate, melt 1 1/2 ounces (40 g) of chopped dark chocolate into a cup of hot milk, whisking until smooth, then sweeten with 2 to 3 teaspoons of honey. Because chocolate already contains sugar, you need less honey. For a thicker drink, whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with cold milk and simmer for a minute.
Which honey to use
Honey changes hot chocolate more than you might expect.
| Honey | Effect on hot chocolate |
|---|---|
| Clover | Clean, classic sweetness; chocolate leads |
| Orange Blossom | Bright citrus note, like a chocolate orange |
| Wildflower | Rounder, floral depth |
| Buckwheat | Malty, almost mocha-like; use a little with milder honey |
| Blueberry Blossom | Soft fruity note that suits dark chocolate |
Spiced variations
Add spices with the cocoa so they bloom in the warm milk.
- Mexican-style: 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne
- Chai: cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and a pinch of black pepper
- Orange: a strip of orange peel warmed in the milk, with orange blossom honey
- Peppermint: a drop of peppermint extract and crushed candy cane on top
- Salted honey: a pinch of flaky salt and a drizzle of extra honey on the whipped cream
Make-ahead honey cocoa mix
Honey does not mix into a dry powder, but you can make a honey cocoa paste. Stir together 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup honey, 2 tablespoons hot water, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt into a thick paste. Keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. For each mug, stir 2 heaping tablespoons into a cup of hot milk. It makes a nice gift paired with a mug and a honey dipper.
Honey hot chocolate for a crowd
For a party or a winter afternoon with kids, make a pot. Whisk 1/2 cup cocoa powder into 1/2 cup hot milk to make a paste in a large saucepan, then whisk in 7 1/2 more cups of milk and heat until steaming. Take it off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup honey, 2 teaspoons vanilla and a pinch of salt. Keep it warm on the lowest heat or in a slow cooker on warm, and set out toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, shaved chocolate and a jar of honey for anyone who wants it sweeter.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you sweeten hot chocolate with honey?
- Yes. Stir honey in after heating, off the heat. About 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons sweetens a cup made with unsweetened cocoa.
- When should I add honey to hot chocolate?
- After the milk is hot and the pan is off the heat. It dissolves easily and keeps more of its flavor.
- What honey goes best with chocolate?
- Clover for a classic taste, orange blossom for a chocolate-orange note, and a little buckwheat for a deep, malty cup.
- Can I make honey hot chocolate with plant milk?
- Yes. Oat milk gives the creamiest result; almond and soy work well too.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
