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Orange Spice Hot Cocoa

This quick and easy orange hot chocolate with warming spices is a deliciously cozy treat whenever the craving for hot cocoa calls! Vegan + non-dairy recipe.

top down view of a orange hot cocoa in a white mug with black rim and surrounded by items.

I love orange and chocolate together, so I set out to create a hot cocoa using this combination for an upcoming Christmas gathering.

After researching about orange hot chocolate, I found using orange juice is not typical. Usually, a bit of orange extract or even orange-flavored liqueur is added (which sounds 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 gives you the added benefit of vitamin C with your cocoa!

Add cinnamon and ginger to the mix, and you have yourself a nicely flavored hot cocoa that is healthy and delicious. 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!

top down view of ingredients needed to make orange cocoa on a round, wooden serving board.

Ingredients You’ll Need

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 – Added 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 orange cocoa.
side by side photos showing the process of making orange hot chocolate.

How To Make Orange Hot Chocolate

  • In a small/medium saucepan, add the non-dairy milk, orange juice, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and a 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.
top down view of a pot with freshly made orange hot chocolate.

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!

More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love!

top down view of a orange hot cocoa in a white mug with black rim and surrounded by items.

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.

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ORANGE & SPICE HOT CHOCOLATE

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

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.

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 5 min
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 2 – 3 1x
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: simmer
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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.

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18 Comments

  1. Hi there!

    What kind of dairy-free milk did you use to calculate the nutrition?

    Thank you!

    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      Great question, Amber! The nutrition was calculated with unsweetened almond milk. I hope that helps!

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