Have you had tea and hot chocolate together?
It may sound strange, but it’s similar to the idea of tea and coffee together — otherwise known as a yuen yeung drink (that originated from Hong Kong).
Hojicha Hot Chocolate is a fantastic way to enjoy hot chocolate and tea in one mug.
WHAT IS HOJICHA?
Hojicha is a green tea that has been roasted and has a deep brown hue.
I’ve got lots of recipes dedicated to this deep and nutty-flavoured tea.
WHY HOJICHA AND CHOCOLATE
Hojicha has a smoky, sweet tea flavour that complements the natural bitterness from chocolate.
The tea has a roasted, nutty taste that somewhat similar to coffee.
DOES HOJICHA HAVE CAFFEINE?
Hojicha is low in caffeine, which makes it a suitable drink for most people.
Since hot chocolate is also low in caffeine, this Hojicha Hot Chocolate can be enjoyed later in the day, or even by kids.
WHAT’S IN HOJICHA HOT CHOCOLATE?
There’s only 3 ingredients in my Hojicha Hot Chocolate:
- chocolate: use a good-quality milk or dark chocolate; chopped into pieces so it melts easily
- milk (or dairy-free alternative): heated up until scalding hot
- hojicha powder: is a finely ground tea powder that is easy to use in drinks; if you don’t have hojicha powder, you can steep hojicha tea bags in the milk first
HOW TO MAKE HOJICHA HOT CHOCOLATE
I have 2 methods to make the Hojicha Hot Chocolate:
Microwave:
Add chocolate to a microwave-safe mug.
Pour in ¼ C of milk and microwave for 30-40 seconds, until the milk is steaming hot.
Remove from microwave and stir with a spoon until the chocolate is completely melted.
Add in 1 tsp of hojicha powder to the chocolate mixture and use an electric whisk to froth it up.
In a separate cup, heat the remaining ¾ C of milk in the microwave. Pour in the remaining milk over the chocolate and give it a stir.
Stove top:
Heat milk in a small saucepan until just scalding hot.
Add chocolate to a mug.
Pour about ¼ C of hot milk over the chocolate and give it a stir with a spoon until all the chocolate is melted.
Add in 1 tsp of hojicha powder to the chocolate mixture and use an electric whisk to froth it up.
Pour in the remaining milk over the chocolate and give it a stir.
FUN ADDITIONS
Garnish the Hojicha Hot Chocolate with:
- whipped cream
- shaved chocolate
- marshmallows
Alternatively, if you feel like you want more of an intense smoky flavour, torch the marshmallows for a brûléed effect. It really adds a depth of flavour to the overall drink.
Use a kitchen blowtorch to lightly torch the tops of the marshmallows — but be careful, the marshmallows can burn quickly!
OTHER HOJICHA RECIPES YOU MAY LIKE
For more hojicha inspiration, be sure to check out these recipes:
Hojicha Black Sesame Oat Latte
If you ever can’t decide between tea and hot chocolate, try this Hojicha Hot Chocolate.
It’s a delicious, comforting, nutty, earthy spin on your regular hot chocolate.
Let me know if you try out this recipe — tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Hojicha Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 30 g chocolate milk or dark, chopped
- 1 C whole milk or dairy-free alternative
- 1 tsp hojicha powder
- sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup) optional
- whipped cream optional
- marshmallows optional
Instructions
Microwave method:
- Add chopped chocolate to a microwave-safe mug.
- Pour ¼ C of milk into the mug and microwave for 30-40 seconds, until the milk is steaming hot.
- Remove mug from microwave and stir with a spoon until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Add in 1 tsp of hojicha powder to the chocolate mixture and use an electric whisk to froth it up.
- In a separate cup, heat the remaining ¾ C of milk in the microwave (another 40-50 seconds) until hot. Pour in the remaining milk over the chocolate and give it a stir.
- Stir in sweetener of your choice if you prefer a sweeter hot chocolate. (Optional)
- Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and/or marshmallows. (Optional)
Stove top method:
- Heat milk in a small saucepan over low heat until just scalding hot (not boiling).
- Add chopped chocolate to a mug.
- Pour about ¼ C of hot milk over the chocolate and give it a stir with a spoon until all the chocolate is melted.
- Add in 1 tsp of hojicha powder to the chocolate mixture and use an electric whisk to froth it up.
- Pour in the remaining milk over the chocolate and give it a stir.
- Stir in sweetener of your choice if you prefer a sweeter hot chocolate. (Optional)
- Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and/or marshmallows. (Optional)
You make me want to try hojicha so much!!!!! This looks so good and comforting!
You definitely have to try hojicha! 🙂
This recipe is brilliant Michelle. We have had yuen yeung in HK and have had hojicha while living in Japan but never thought to combine these concepts. I bet it is toasty delicious. Can’t wait to try this. I also see you have a hojicha black sesame oat latte… on our way to check that as well. mmmmm!
Thank you Bobbi — tea and coffee is such a delicious combination! Definitely underrated 🙂
I’ve had hot cocoa combined with chai, and that was fun…but now I’m really intrigued about hojicha! I’m gonna have to order some on Amazon right now – it sounds like it’s right up my alley…especially for these really cold winter days!
Definitely! It’s such a delicious roasted tea 🙂
What an incredible combination! Hojicha just doesn’t get enough love, though I never thought to pair it with chocolate. I’ll have to try this!
Thanks Hannah! Hojicha is definitely underrated!
This sounds perfect when you’re feeling chilly and I always am! I’ve never heard of hojicha, so I’ll have to definitely check this out! 🙂
Thank you Kim! You’ll have to try it!
First time I heard of this, sounds like the cappuccino of the tea world. I bet I would enjoy this one
Yes, you’ll have to try it Raymond! I think you’ll liked it! 🙂
Very cool! I’ve never tried hojicha with hot chocolate before, looks like such a great combo.
Thanks Caleb! It’s a delicious combination indeed 🙂