So the holidays are over but Winter most definitely is not. Sit tight folks, there’s still a solid 3 months of this glorious white (freezing) winter land. I find the only way to get into winter is to find the silver linings, such as eating lots of great food, warm drinks full of calories and getting away with being able to wear a bunch of layers to hide it all.

Coffee and tea are great all year round but there’s something about hot chocolate that is meant especially for Winter and my new favourite is this Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe. It’s so rich and spicy, it will make your mouth sizzle for sure. Seriously, why do you need to leave your house when you can stay in and stay warm with a cup of something so good. 

If you like dark chocolate, cinnamon and a little bit of heat then you’re going to love this spicy Mexican hot chocolate recipe. Now it’s not as simple as whipping up some milk & cocoa so treat it like a recipe and really enjoy the process of both making it and drinking it. Here’s what you’ll need. I simplified this original recipe to make it my own. 

Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate
• 2 c. of 2% evaporated milk
• 1/2 c. whole milk
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4 tsp. ancho chili powder
• 10 cinnamon sticks
• 2.5 oz. bittersweet chocolate
• 1/4 c. whipping cream

Whisk evaporated milk, whole milk, vanilla, sugar, cocoa, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and chili powder in a heavy saucepan.

Add 2 of the cinnamon sticks and chili and cook gently over medium-low heat until warm. Add chocolate and cook, whisking until melted.

Gently bring to a high simmer; reduce heat and simmer until liquid thickens and reduces slightly, whisking often, 10 minutes.

Combine heavy cream with remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and beat until peaks form.

Ladle 1/3 cup hot cocoa into each cup and garnish with whip and cinnamon stick. 

You will not regret this, trust me! This Spicy Mexican hot chocolate recipe is also a great reason to do a little shopping on Wayfair.ca for some adorable new mugs. You don’t want to whip up this delish drink then serve them up in your random mis-matched collection of free mugs. The horror! No really though, I think of mugs like plates – your food looks so much more appetizing and delicious when it’s on a proper plate. So stop by Wayfair.ca and get yourself a set of nice big mugs that are great for holding in two hands and warming you and your guests up during the winter!

Please note that this mouth watering post was kindly sponsored by Wayfair.ca in exchange for a gift card from their site which is already one of my favourites. All opinions and thoughts are my own.