Hot Chocolate Tea

This hot chocolate tea recipe is made with five ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to fix. Enjoy this as a warm and creamy after-dinner indulgence, or serve it any time of day!

A hand holds a mug of half-full cocoa with frothy milk on the top.

I’ve been holding out on you. Sorry about that. Because I just didn’t realize this would be a recipe anyone else might like. Until Adee tried it. “Mom, this is good!” And then Shawn agreed. Well, that’s when I knew I couldn’t keep it a secret anymore! Tea-Infused Hot Chocolate is made with less than 7 ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to fix. Enjoy this warm and creamy after dinner indulgence!

You would think that tea and cocoa wouldn’t go together. Right? Well, the good news is, they work together a little more than you’d realize.

Kind of like maroon and pink. It doesn’t seem right, but somehow it works!

Looking down on the ingredients for this tea-infused hot cocoa, including cocoa powder, plant-based milk, and more.

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Water — If you have hard water it can have a lot of flavor, in which case I recommend using filtered water.
  • Green Tea Bag — Use your favorite green tea.
  • Cocoa powder — Use natural cocoa powder or Dutch-process cocoa powder.
  • Sweetener — You can use sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, or your favorite zero-calorie sweetener such as Stevia.
  • Plant-based milk — Any creamy plant-based milk will do here, but I’ve found soy milk to be best for creating a frothy topping.
  • Sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg — This is optional, but it adds a bit of flavor and color.

How to Make Green Tea Hot Chocolate

Another thing I like about this chocolate green tea recipe is it’s so easy to make. Let’s talk about the steps involved:

  1. Heat the water until hot, but not boiling.
  2. Add the tea bag and allow it to steep for up to 3 minutes.
  3. Mix the cocoa powder and sweetener in a coffee mug.
  4. Pour the tea into the coffee mug and stir to combine.
  5. Steam the plant-based milk by adding it to a microwave-safe tall cup. Heat for about 30 seconds. Use a milk frother to froth the hot milk. Pour the milk into the mug. Serve warm.

Marly’s Tips

Green tea can get bitter if it steeps too long, so I recommend 1 to 3 minutes.

Looking down on the cocoa mix at the bottom of the glass coffee mug. A spoon is in the cup as well.

How to Steam Plant-Based Milk

I’ll let you in on the secret to this delicious beverage. It’s the steamed soy milk. You can use whatever plant-based milk you want, but I’ve done my own personal research and so far, soy milk has been my favorite one to steam. Because I like the foamy part at the top.

A green frothing device is in a tall container. There is plant-based milk at the bottom.

I have this theory that the foam makes you feel full. I know, I know. It’s very simplistic, but coming from someone who’s chronically hungry, it seems to work for me!

Because after I have a glass of this hot chocolate, I’m full for awhile. It’s a good feeling.

I’ve tested a lot of different plant-based milks and find that the Kirkland Soy Milk creates the best froth. If you don’t care about froth, then I recommend unsweetened vanilla flavored almond milk or this creamy pecan milk.

Is chocolate tea a thing?

Combining cocoa powder with tea may not be common, but the flavors and nutritional components of the two work well together.

Tea for dessert?

Tea-infused hot cocoa can satisfy your sweet tooth in a very light way. It’s easy on the stomach. However, both green tea and cocoa powder contains stimulants like caffeine, so if you’re sensitive to these late in the day, you may want to chose decaffeinated teas for dessert.

A container pours plant-based milk into a cup of cocoa with a spoon in it.

What I Love About This Tea-Infused Hot Chocolate

My battle with my sweet tooth continues. There are days when my sweet tooth wins and others where it doesn’t. But here’s the deal, I’d rather not battle at all. You know what I mean? If I can include a little indulgence in my day, then everything’s good. Sometimes an indulgence can be a bit of dark chocolate. Other days, it might be a cookie (or two).

Yes, yes, I occasionally eat cookies. Take for example these Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies. Those are my favorites! But if I’m in a healthy mood, I’ll definitely go for the Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Energy Bites.

But if I can be proactive about things and prepare myself a glass of this delicious tea, then it means I won’t eat the entire batch of cookies (or the cookie dough) in one sitting. That means everyone’s happy — me, Shawn (because he’ll get cookies too), and even my jeans.

Cocoa is Healthy

The Mayans called it the drink of the gods. And they weren’t too far off with that, because hot cocoa comes with a lot of benefits.

That’s right. This cup of cocoa is not only beautiful and delicious, it’s healthy too:

  • Tea comes with phytonutrients, such as polyphenols, catechins, and caffeine.
  • And cocoa? It offers Flavanols, potassium, and even healthful fats and fiber.

More Vegan Beverages

A glass mug full of hot cocoa with lots of frothy plant based milk at the top.

I hope you love this recipe for tea-infused hot chocolate as much as we do!

Tea Infused Hot Chocolate

Tea-Infused Hot Chocolate

Tea-Infused Hot Chocolate is made with five ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to fix. Enjoy this as a warm and creamy after-dinner indulgence, or any time of day!
5 from 1 vote
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 27kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 Green Tea Bag
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon Stevia Sweetener
  • ¼ cup Plant-based milk (See note)
  • Optional (Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg)

Instructions

  • Heat the water until hot but not boiling. Add the tea bag and allow it to steep for a couple of minutes.
  • In your coffee mug, pour the cocoa powder and sweetener. Stir to combine. When the tea is ready, pour that into the coffee mug and stir to combine.
  • Place the plant-based milk in a microwave-safe tall cup—heat for about 30 seconds. I have a small, inexpensive milk frother that I use to froth the hot milk. It usually takes around 30 seconds or so. If you don't have a frother, a whisk will work here. Even a fork will work – insert it in the steamed milk and stir vigorously until you have a nice froth worked up. Pour the milk into the mug. Serve warm.

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Notes

I’ve tested many types of plant-based milk and find that the Kirkland Soy Milk creates the best froth. If you don’t care about froth, I recommend unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk or this creamy pecan milk.
Also, I purchased my milk frother at World Market for less than $10. 
If you want to change things up from the green tea, try Republic of Tea Coconut Cocoa Tea.
Calories: 27kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 75mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 0.3mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Enjoy!

14 Responses to Hot Chocolate Tea

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMalx Reply

    I merely add about a tablespoon of unprocessed cocoa to hot tea.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      That works! It’s really a tasty treat!

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyIvy-Keona Allen Reply

    Can I use this with Organic Whole Milk. i will try it with Almond Milk if I have the chance to purchase it at a store.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Hi Ivy=Keona. Well, the good news is that whole milk will froth up nicely. I don’t drink it myself, but have found some amazing nut-based milks that do froth up, like almond milk or macadamia milk too!

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyCara Reply

    I love chocolate chai, so I’ll definitely give this a try! I, too, enjoy a foamy latte–but I think it’s the PROTEIN in the soy milk that’s making you full 🙂 I prefer the taste of almond milk, but like basically all non-dairy milks other than soy, it has almost no protein.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      I like almond milk too and sometimes use that in my hot drinks. I can get that same full feeling with a hot cup of tea too. In fact, when I’ve traveled to other countries, they oftentimes talk about having a cup of hot tea after dinner for “digestion.” I do believe there’s some truth to that. I think we’re both tea enthusiasts! 🙂

  4. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyChar Reply

    5 stars
    FYI, this tastes great with chai! 🙂

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      I love chai tea – it’s one of my favorite first thing in the morning teas…all year round! 🙂

  5. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyRebecca M Reply

    I really need to get my hands on some coconut cocoa tea, that sounds heavenly!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      It is the best tea when you need something a little sweet. I’m on my last tea bag right now. 😐 Guess I’ll have to get some more myself!

  6. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyElsje Massyn Reply

    This looks like a divine recipe, but South Africa is a 3rd world country and we don’t have your luxuries of a variety of foods so please can you help and advise if I could use any other available tea instead of the Republic of Tea Coconut Cocoa Tea that you use in your recipe. You would really make my day if you can work out something that I can use on our side of the world??

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Hi Elsje. You know what I would do in your situation? I would probably just use any mildly-flavored tea you can. Even a rooibos tea and just add a teaspoon of cocoa. Try that and let me know how it goes. You can play around with how much cocoa you use to get the right mix of flavors. And if you don’t have almond or soy milk on hand, you can also blend oatmeal with water and create a fairly decent plant-based milk. I’m not sure how well it will foam, but it can add some creaminess to your drink. Let me know how it goes! 🙂

  7. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyJune Burns Reply

    That looks divine! Love how healthy it is, too. Of course chocolate + tea would be a swell combination 🙂

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Hi June. I was really surprised that tea and chocolate would be good together, but I’m really loving it. And it’s a perfect after dinner (or after anything) treat. I hope you try it and love it too!

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