ORANGE & SPICE HOT COCOA
This is a quick n’ easy orange hot chocolate recipe to change up the usual hot cocoa routine. When the winter weather sets in with rain and cool temperatures, it calls for a nice mug of hot cocoa!
I love orange and chocolate together and set out to come up with a hot cocoa using this combination for a Christmas gathering I’m hosting.
After doing a bit of research on orange hot chocolate, using orange juice is not typical, usually a bit of orange extract is added or even orange flavored liqueur (which sound pretty good too on certain occasions!).
But, since I happen to only have orange juice on hand, I decided that would do perfectly fine. And it did!
Plus, using orange juice instead of flavoring will also give you the added benefit of vitamin C with your cocoa. Add in the cinnamon & ginger and you have yourself a nicely flavored hot cocoa.
So next time you’re thinking about having a cup of hot chocolate give this non-dairy orange spice hot cocoa recipe a try, I think you’ll love it too!
Orange Cocoa Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the best orange hot chocolate, plus tips and suggestions for ingredient substitutions.
- Unsweetened non-dairy milk – Use your favorite plant milk. You may even like to use unsweetened vanilla non-dairy milk or a little Vegan Cream.
- 100% pure orange juice – With or without pulp is fine.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Use 100% cocoa powder, usually found in the baking section of the grocery store. Raw cacao powder is great too!
- Sweetener – Raw sugar, pure maple syrup or coconut nectar/sugar all work great!
- Cinnamon – Adds a nice warm layer of flavor to your orange hot chocolate.
- Ginger – For another layer of flavor, feel free to omit it if you don’t have it on hand.
- Cayenne (optional) – For a little heat add a dash or two of cayenne.
- Salt – A generous pinch of salt with enhance all the flavors for a delicious orang cocoa.
How To Make Orange Hot Chocolate
- In a small/medium saucepan, add the non-dairy milk, orange juice, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and pinch of salt, and heat over medium-low heat.
- Stir until cocoa is completely dissolved (shown below).
- Turn heat to low to keep cocoa warm until ready to serve.
Hot Cocoa Toppings
The toppings can be changed up to whatever you like or have on hand. Try a dollop of whipped coconut cream, vegan mini chocolate chips, shaved dark chocolate, or vegan marshmallows.
And that’s it, a healthy spiced orange hot cocoa that’s easy to make and delicious as can be!
More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love!
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Favorite Vegan Brownies
- Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
- Chocolate & Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
- See all vegan chocolate recipes on TSV!
If you make this orange hot chocolate recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
PrintORANGE & SPICE HOT CHOCOLATE
Change up your plain hot chocolate routine and keep warm and cozy with a mug of orange & chocolate deliciousness! It’s super easy to make and will add some vitamin C to your cocoa.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2 - 3 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
- 3 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1 cup 100% pure orange juice
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup raw sugar, pure maple syrup or coconut nectar/sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- pinch of salt
garnish options:
- whipped coconut cream
- sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder
- mini chocolate chips
- shaved dark chocolate
- orange zest
- vegan marshmallows
Instructions
In a small/medium saucepan, heat milk and orange juice over medium-low heat. Add cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and pinch of salt, stir until cocoa is completely dissolved. Turn heat to low to keep cocoa warm until ready to serve.
Serve in individual cups topped with any garnish you like. I added coconut cream, dusted with cocoa powder and topped with orange zest.
Serves 2 – 3
NOTES:
Feel free to use water in place of non-dairy milk or use a combo of water & milk equally 3 cups.
For the orange juice, use fresh squeezed or bottled (no pulp to medium pulp pref). If using fresh squeezed, you may like to strain the pulp before using.
Make your 1/4 cup of cocoa heaping if you like a little extra chocolate flavor.
Updated: Orange Spice Hot Cocoa was first published December 2014 and has been updated December 2019 with new photos and helpful tips.
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This looks so good! What a great combination of flavors!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
It will keep up to 4 – 5 days in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before serving and reheating. Enjoy!
This looks so good! What a great way to give a new twist on a cold weather classic!
I have loved the combination of orange & chocolate forever, and I never thought to do this! Genius! My new cozy go to. Thank you for sharing! That dash of cayenne with it takes it to another level!
★★★★★
This looks so lovely! The flavor of orange and chocolate is an addiction of mine, so I know I will love this :)
Oh my! This sounds delicious. Nobody in my family ever makes a holiday drink so I think I'm going to make this since I have all of the ingredients : )
I absolutely LOVE chocolate and orange together and the fact that you put the two together in hot cocoa is amazing!
It's such a great combo that I'm in love with at the moment! Cheers :)
This looks and sound wonderful!
Thank you Karen! ♥
Mmm orange and chocolate is such a classic combination (especially around this time of year) but I don't know why I never thought of adding it to hot chocolate before. This looks simple and delicious – my kind of recipe ;)
Hope you enjoy a cup soon! Cheers :)
Wow that looks awesome! I love orange + chocolate, such a great wintery flavor :)
Thank you!! :)