Make THE BEST Mexican Hot Chocolate Abuelita! With a creaminess and rich chocolate flavor, this homemade hot cocoa will disappear in no time.
***This post was originally published on Dec 2015. It has been updated to be more helpful.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
If there is something that Mexicans like, it’s drinks! From cafe de olla, Ponche Navideño, Rompope, Champurrado, Atole to a delicious & refreshing Horchata. That is why when the temperature in Mexico barely goes down, the first thing we want to drink is hot chocolate or anything warm.
There are many ways and recipes to prepare this chocolate drink, and today I’ll show you how to make the authentic Mexican hot chocolate made with the most common brand Chocolate Abuelita. It’s very simple to make and delicious!
Featured comment:
“I made Mexican hot chocolate for the family over the weekend and it was a hit! I thought it had the perfect consistency just like the ones I had in Mexico. I used chocolate abuelita and it was creamy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!”
LAURA M.
Ingredients
You can find the ingredients in any supermarket and it will not take you more than 20 minutes to prepare it.
- Any Mexican chocolate tablet will do but my favorite is Abuelita as I grew up drinking this one. These tablets are already sweetened and there is no need to add any more sugar.
- Cinnamon powder for extra flavor
- Milk
- Evaporated milk
Equipment
- Molinillo, wooden spoon or a whisk
- A medium saucepan
***Make sure to scroll all the way down to the recipe card to get the full ingredient list and written recipe.
How to make Mexican Hot Chocolate
- In a medium saucepan, add the milk
- When it starts to boil add the Mexican chocolate tablet and mix until it dissolves. It does not take very long to melt. About two minutes only.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon powder to taste but start with adding just a little bit as the chocolate tablet already has some cinnamon in it.
- Stir with the molinillo, whisk or wooden spoon until you have a smooth mixture.
Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes on medium-low heat.
Pour into in mugs hot with whipped cream or marshmallows and accompany with pan dulce or delicious traditional churros. It also goes perfect with Molletes for breakfast!
How to Store
Fridge– Once the hot chocolate has cooled down, you can refrigerate in a glass jar with a lid or an airtight storage container for up to a week.
To reheat:
On the stove: Place the leftover chocolate in a heavy bottom saucepan and heat through just until hot. Reheat it slowly over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steamed through.
In the microwave: Place the desired amount of hot chocolate in a microwave-safe cup or mug and heat for 30 seconds at a time until fully warm.
Cook’s Notes
- There is no need to add sugar to this recipe as the Mexican chocolate tablets are already sweetened to perfection.
- Keep an eye on the mixture while it cooks to ensure that it does not overflow. Cleaning the stove after that happens it’s no fun!
FAQs
Absolutely you can! In fact, the almond flavor will add an extra depth that regular milk may not. If you make it with almond milk please report back how it turned out…I would love to know!
Usually Mexican hot chocolate comes in round tablets that are ready to be mixed with hot milk. The round tablets are made of sugar, cocoa and cinnamon.
The regular hot chocolate does not contain cinnamon and usually has less sugar. But this means it’s not as flavorful as Mexican hot chocolate. If you haven’t tried the latter one, I truly recommend you do!
When someone asks for hot chocolate in Mexico, most likely they’re referring to Chocolate Abuelita. Another popular brand is Ibarra but the most popular one is Abuelita.
Enjoy…
More Hot Drinks
I hope you like this recipe! Share it, or leave a rating and comment below. For questions that need an answer right away, please contact me and I’ll get back to you asap. Gracias!!!! xx, Ana
Print Recipe:
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Molinillo, whisk or wooden spoon
- Medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 Mexican chocolate tablet
- 2 cups milk 2% or whole milk
- 1 cup evaporated milk (or just add another cup of regular milk)
- Cinnamon powder to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add the milk
- When it starts to boil add the Mexican chocolate tablet and mix until it dissolves.
- Add cinnamon powder to taste
- Stir with the molinillo, whisk or wooden spoon until you have a smooth mixture.
- Continue to cook for another 5 minutes on low heat-medium heat
- Serve hot with whipped cream and accompany with pan dulce or delicious traditional churros.
Muy Delish Notes:
Add Your Own Private Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
I can’t wait to try it!! My kids will love this!!
Yum! This is the best hot chocolate ever!! I love that it only requires 4 ingredients so it’s really easy to toss together.
Wow this recipe is a revelation. My daughter loves hot chocolate and this was the best she has had.
So easy, creamy and delicious – perfect for the horrible weather we are having in the UK right now.
super easy to make and it really tasted like legit Mexican chocolate!
Add a 30ml (1oz) of Ancho Reyes (an ancho pepper based liqueur) for a spicy adult version. Quite delicious.
This is so easy to make, and I really like that it is a small batch recipe. The cinnamon gives the chocolate an extra pop that I love.
Made it last night and it was so cozy for a chilly night. Cannot wait to try it again tonight. 10/10!
The best hot chocolate recipe! Love the hint of cinnamon.
That sounds perfect for the winter. Hot chocolate is my favorite winter drink, and this looks amazing.
Thank you Ana!! <3
Excited to try this. Can this be adapted to make atole champurrado? Would you still use all milk, just extra, or part water, part milk?
You’re meant to use evaporated milk not sweetened condensed milk. I also added leftover egg nog and a spoonful of unsweetened cocoa powder and it tasted great!
I made Mexican hit chocolate for the family over the weekend and it was a hit! I thought it had the perfect consistency just like the ones I had in Mexico. I used chocolate abuelita and it was creamy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Too heavy. Instead of putting 1 cup as suggested, I put less about 3/4 of a cup and 2 tablespoons of condensed milk, yet it was very heavy. After I tasted it I didn’t want more. I had to add about 2 bottles of water to dilute the overly sweet chocolate.
Sorry, I was really looking forward to it, but it was a let down, in my personal experience.
Hi Eve! Everyone else has loved it but I appreciate your feedback on your personal taste!
Que Rico!!! Can’t wait to make it đŸ™‚
You will love it Brenda!!!
Amazingly delish!!!
Thank you so much Tina!! Isn’t this hot mexican chocolate so delicious? Stay well!
Oh yum, that hot chocolate looks so inviting and creamy! And I love those cute cups đŸ™‚
Thank you Julia!!! They are adorable huh? especially since I love a HUGE serving of hot chocolate lol!
How easy! I could drink this everyday.
Such chocolatey goodness! YUM! It seldom gets below 40 degrees in AZ but the past few days its been in the 30s! Excuse me, but I need to go make myself a cup right now. Bye!
Hehe! I could drink Mexican chocolate any time of year! Thanks for stopping by Pablo!
Now I have serious cravings for your hot chocolate!! Have to see if I can find mexican chocolate in Sweden…
Hi Emmeline! I how you do! If you don’t, just add some cinnamon to regular chocolate. This will give you the hint of Mexican Chocolate. Enjoy all the way in Sweden!
Se me antojo!!!
Hazlo Malena!!! Este Chocolate Caliente esta delicioso! Saludos y cuidate! xo, Ana
I love this Mexican hot chocolate! It is creamy and so comforting during the cold mornings. I will definitely be enjoying this all season long!
Thanks so much Luci! I appreciate you stopping by! I have no doubt you’ll love this hot Mexican chocolate
My sister is coming to visit for the holidays and I cannot wait to make this for her. We are big fans of all your recipes, they are simply delicious!
Thank you so much Sherry! I bet this Mexican hot chocolate recipe will be a hit! Enjoy your sister!
Question: have you ever tried this in the slow cooker?
Hi Nikki! I have not but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Just keep it on high!
So delicious and creamy! I don’t like the stuff with water. Thanks!
Thanks so much Monica! This Mexican Hot Chocolate is delicious!