Coconut Chai Hot Chocolate

A warm drink made with coconut, chocolate, and chai masala. It's spicy, rich and just the right drink for a rainy day.

Prep: 4 min

Cook: 6 min

Total: 10 min

Servings: 2

Ingredients

4 oz can coconut cream (refrigerate for 5 hours)
1 bag black tea
1/2 tsp chai masala
2 tbsp demerara sugar or brown sugar (separated)
2 tbsp powdered sugar
2 oz chocolate (cut into small pieces (I used a combination of milk and semi-sweet chocolate. Use vegan chocolate to keep it vegan ))
2 tbsp coconut powder or grated coconut
1/4 cup water (or milk of your choice)
pinch salt

Take off 1/3 cup of coconut cream from the top of the chilled can. Mix in 2 tbsp of powdered sugar and whisk (or use an electric beater) until the texture resembles a thick whipped cream
Heat 1/4 cup water or milk until just under boiling and steep the tea bag for about 6 minutes. Remove tea bad and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat the coconut milk over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Turn down heat to low and whisk in chocolate, chai masala, 1 tbsp demerara (or brown sugar), salt and the tea. Make sure to whisk continuously until the chocolate is completely melted. This will ensure a silky smooth texture.
On a dry pan, toast the coconut flakes or powder until golden (this step is optional).
Mix the toasted coconut with 1 tbsp demerara sugar. Spread this mixture out on a plate.
To serve dip a small (about 6 oz) mug into the whipped coconut cream just enough that the rim is coated in a thin layer of coconut cream. Then dip the mug into the coconut and sugar mixture to create a coconut rim.
Pour the warm hot chocolate into the mug. Top with a dollop of coconut whipped cream and sprinkle some coconut sugar on top.
Serve warm.