Creamy and delicious, with just the right amount of spice, this primal and full GAPS-friendly buttered chai hot chocolate is sure to breathe new life into your hot chocolate relationship.
Hot chocolate love.
It’s not a secret that I love chocolate. Eating it and drinking it. Hot chocolate is a special little love of mine. Even if no one else wants a warm mugful of the liquid of perfection, I’ll still go ahead and make myself some. Usually I make my quick and easy hot chocolate shots when I’m solo hot-chocolating, but with 6 kids in the house, it’s rare that I’m the only one who wants a mug of it.
Of course, my favorite recipe has long been my recent perfect homemade hot cocoa, usually topped with a healthy handful of mini cinnamon maple marshmallows, or a dollop of homemade coconut whipped cream, but I’ve also been known to down mugfuls of spiced hot chocolate, or use my Mexican hot chocolate mix to enjoy a special kick in my drink.
Buttered Chai Hot Chocolate
My latest favorite though, is this gorgeous buttered chai hot chocolate. It has the perfect delicious blend of spices, and the butter gives it a wonderful depth and flavor.Â
I usually add coconut oil to my hot chocolate, to make it nice and creamy, and add a little healthy boost. If you struggle with dairy, you can definitely switch that out for the butter in this recipe, if you like. The butter does gives it a delicious little richness though, so if you can have dairy I’d strongly suggest you keep the butter in this recipe!
Easy chai blend.
I’ve enjoyed chai many times before, but not usually from a tea bag. A friend from India spoiled me once by making a pot of chai from scratch in my kitchen, and I’ve never been able to find a bag that compares. This easy chai blend is as close to his version as I can get, without the black tea.
Though there are many spices you can use in your chai blends, I like to keep things simple. I also like to use things that I have on hand to keep the cost down.
For this easy buttered chia hot chocolate I stuck with the essentials: cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper, and a little bit of nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom. For some added protein I like to stir in some kosher collagen or gelatin, and then top everything off with a pinch of healthy sea salt to help everything pop!
If you enjoy this recipe, and you’re thirsty for more, here are some other delicious hot drinks you might enjoy… They’re all paleo/primal/GAPS-friendly, and easy to whip up!
- Herbal Pumpkin Mocha
- Banana Nut Butter Frappe
- Homemade Apple Cider
- Nourishing Spiced Hot Cocoa
- Cinnamon Yerba Mate Latte
- Chocolate Chamomile Moon Milk
- Cinnamon Ginger Latte
In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks!
Buttered Chai Hot Chocolate
Free from grain, gluten, eggs, and refined sugar, with dairy-free options.Â
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (I love this fair-trade one from Azure Standard)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher gelatin or collagen (optional, I like Perfect Supplements)
- 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/16 teaspoon black pepper
- dash Himalayan salt
- 6 tablespoons honey (local is best!)
- 2 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil, for dairy-free)
- 2 cups milk of choice (I use almond or coconut milk, for dairy-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (I use Azure‘s or make my own)
Instructions
In medium-sized saucepan, whisk together dry ingredients.
Add in honey and butter and turn heat to low. Melt until a smooth creamy paste is made.
Slowly pour in milk; add in vanilla, whisking to combine well.
Heat until steaming, but do not boil.
Enjoy hot!
This sounds like heaven in a cup!
Haha. Well, about as close as you could get anyway. 😉
Yum, yum, yum. Hot chocolate is my VICE.
Haha. 😉 Thanks, Linda!
I read the name of this recipe and started salivating! This sounds AMAZING! Can’t wait to try it!
Haha! Thanks, Kelsey. 😉 I hope you get a chance to enjoy it!
Mmm, love those spices with cocoa and fat, yummy!!
Thank you, Megan! 🙂 They are wonderful spices.
Raia I LOVE this drink so much! It’s perfect! Butter + Chai + Hot Chocolate = some of my favorite things!
Thank you so much, Emily! Those three things do go together so well. 😉
That sounds so cozy! Perfect for this rainy day we’re having!
It is perfect for a rainy day! Or a windy one, or a snowy one, or a hot one… Haha.
This looks exactly what I need when I get home from a long day at work, on a cold afternoon like today.
I’m sure it would help! Hope you get a chance to try it!
I love all the spices you’ve used for this chai hot chocolate. So much more interesting than a plain old cuppa!
Thank you, Lisa! It is more interesting, and quite delicious!
This looks totally irresistable! I love a nice, thick chocolaty cup of bliss!
Thank you, Amanda! 🙂
This sounds delicious. I love the flavors you added to this!
Thank you so much, Stephanie! The flavor go so well with the cocoa. 🙂
I haven’t bought any cardamom. I have been going to buy some for ages! This looks so delicious!
Thank you so much, Beth! Cardamom can be kinda pricy, but you don’t really ever use much, so it lasts a while. Totally worth the purchase, IMO! Hope you get a chance to enjoy the hot chocolate!
This hot chocolate looks absolutely luscious!
Thank you, Brianna! It tastes pretty good, too… 😉
This looks aahhhmazing! I’m weird and actually like carob, I might try it with that too.
I’m looking forward to such a cosy cup!
Thanks so much, Naomi! I love carob too, and actually just bought some to try it with. Haha! Hope you get a chance to enjoy it! 🙂
Love finding healthy ways to get my chocolate fix – can’t wait to try this one!
I hope you enjoy it, Celeste!
Do you really think it would still turn out well without the collagen? I really want to try it, but don’t do animal products. The rest looks divine!
I’m sure it will still be delicious, Jules!
by this time in the winter you def need to switch up the reg ‘ol hot cocoa. good ideas!
Thanks, Megan!