With the cold weather, I find myself loving hot mugs with warming spices and there’s simply nothing like a raw cacao hot chocolate. But the addition of chia tea really adds so many interesting flavors – cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, ginger… It’s almost like drinking Moroccan gingerbread chocolate.
I also used hazelnut milk in this recipe, something that is stand alone a real treat for me. It tastes like liquid nougat and is heavenly matched with chocolate. But do feel free to use any plant-milk you’d like! I think almond or oat would be lovely, too. 
This Chocolate Chai Tea it’s just the perfect comfy feel-good drink to warm up and cuddle in a blanket. It warms your tummy and heart and is a true relaxing gem. It’s the real deal.
Raw cacao is one superfood full of antioxidants that protect your cells and heart from free-radical damage. It’s mood-boosting and makes you feel more happy as it raises your serotonin levels (a chemical in your brain that makes you feel good and relaxed). Cacao is also full of theobromine, a stimulant that helps you soothe a sore throat.
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Chai Tea with Raw Chocolate
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
Almost like drinking a spicy chocolate gingerbread, this chocolate chia is a comfy feel-good drink. Give this relaxing gem a try.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 ml) strong chai tea (use a classic flavour variety)
- 1 cup (240 ml) hazelnut milk (or use any other plant-milk of choice)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) raw cacao powder
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup, or to taste
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) coconut milk (optional, for a richer chocolate)
Instructions
- Let the chai tea steep in a mug with 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes – it should be really strong so you might want to use 2 bags.
- Pour the chai tea, the plant-milk and the coconut milk in a pot and gently whisk in the cacao powder. Add maple syrup to taste – start with 1 tbsp and see if it’s sweet enough for you (this will depend greatly on the kind of plant-milk you’re using, some have a natural higher sugar content than others and maybe you’re also using an already sweetened variety).
- Gently heat it up until it’s warm but no too hot. This will preserve the raw cacao’s nutrients.
- Pour in a big mug and let the smells and taste of christmas mingle with chocolate!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 80
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is raw cacao powder and why use it instead of regular cocoa?
The article explains that raw cacao is a superfood full of antioxidants that protect cells and heart from free-radical damage, boosts mood by raising serotonin levels, and contains theobromine which helps soothe a sore throat. Unlike processed cocoa, it is not exposed to high heat, preserving these nutrients — which is why the recipe instructs you to heat the drink gently rather than boiling it.
Can I use a different plant milk instead of hazelnut milk?
Yes — the article says to feel free to use any plant milk, suggesting almond or oat would be lovely. The author chose hazelnut milk specifically because it tastes like liquid nougat and pairs beautifully with chocolate.
How sweet should this drink be?
Start with 1 tbsp of maple syrup and taste before adding more — the recipe notes that the right amount depends greatly on the plant milk you use, since some varieties have a naturally higher sugar content and some are already sweetened.
