Colombian Hot Chocolate Recipe - Making Life Delicious (2024)

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Colombian Hot Chocolate Recipe - Making Life Delicious (1)

My first year in Colombia was full of new food, new music, new language, and new friends. Trips to the market and grocery stores were adventures that required advance preparation, such as looking up ingredients in a Spanish dictionary or calling friends to inquire about local terminology. I had studied German in high school, which was no help in a Spanish-speaking country, so it took me a little while. At first I shied away from things I couldn't identify, but my shopping list expanded as I grew more comfortable with the local foods and the language. I did learn rather quickly about Colombian hot chocolate and how it was pretty much part of daily life, and I loved to watch it being prepared.

The locals used an aluminum pitcher called a chocolatera to warm milk or water on the stove, then they added chocolate as well as sugar if needed. After the chocolate was melted they would use a wooden molinillo to froth the chocolate. They put the round business end of the wooden stick in the bottom of the pitcher and roll the handle quickly between their hands as if trying to start a fire. The chocolate would froth up the sides of the pitcher, but the tall round shape that tapered near the top kept the chocolate from splattering over. Once it was well-frothed, they poured the steaming chocolate into cups and sometimes gave you a piece of bread and a small chunk of cheese to go with it. Locals dropped the cheese into the chocolate, but I preferred to nibble mine on the side.

Colombia was where I learned how good hot chocolate could be, and I bought a large chocolatera and molinillo and still have them in my kitchen. Fortunately I’m able to indulge my Colombian chocolate cravings thanks to the international grocery stores in our area. We can find Sol and Luker chocolate from Colombia, both sweetened (con azucar) and unsweetened (sin azucar). Each package has enough chocolate for 16 cups of cocoa, we just break it into individual bars and add one for each cup.

Colombian Hot Chocolate Recipe - Making Life Delicious (2)

The frothing step is rather important for the right texture, and if you can’t find a molinillo you can use a milk frother such as the kind used for making coffee drinks or even a whisk.

Colombian Hot Chocolate Recipe - Making Life Delicious (3)

📖 Recipe

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Colombian Hot Chocolate

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Beverage

Cuisine: Colombian

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Keyword: chocolate, gluten free

Servings: 1 serving

Equipment

  • chocolate pitcher (chocolatera) or small saucepan

  • wooden molinillo, milk frother, or whisk

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces milk (or water)
  • 1 bar Colombian chocolate (sweetened or unsweetened)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (if using unsweetened chocolate)

SPICES

  • pinch cinnamon
  • pinch cloves
  • pinch cayenne

Preparation

  • Warm the milk or water in the chocolatera or small saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the bar of chocolate and sugar if needed and spices if desired. Cook stirring until the chocolate completely melts. Froth briskly until the chocolate foams, then pour into a mug and serve.

Tried this recipe?Share in the comments!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Thanks for visiting! Let me know what you think!

  1. Andrea / True Nourishment says

    My mom uses an immersion blender to foam her chocolate. Works like a charm. Oh... and a "chocolatera" is also called an "olleta."

    Reply

  2. The Food Hound says

    I have a friend who loves Colombian food-- I will pass this along to her!! And of course, make some for myself 🙂 Looks fabulous!!

    Reply

  3. Nisrine | Dinners & Dreams says

    Andrea, this hot chocolate looks so good. Just what I need right now!

    Reply

  4. Kelly says

    I didn't know that you spent time in Colombia -- how interesting! This sounds delicious. I've been craving chisels and Spanish hot chocolate, but have only gotten as far as dreaming : )

    Reply

  5. Miguel says

    A mug of this hot chocolate would taste great now and take off the chill having just come in from walking the frozen streets of Seoul, South Korea.

    Reply

  6. Ivonne says

    I am Colombian and a friend of mine sent me this since I tell her all kinds of stories about our culture. Great explanation for those who have not been in Colombia. Just wondering what brought you there? I would liek to hear more about your experiences while in Colombia, but I I thought you're blog was a little hard to browse...couldn't find any...

    Reply

    • Andrea says

      Hi Ivonne, thanks for visiting. I taught at a U.S. school in Bogotá for a couple years. You can find more of my stories about Colombian food on my blog, just click on the Colombian tag in the Blog Index on the right.

      Reply

  7. michael bua says

    My wife is from Colombia. Where can we purchase the pitcher.

    Thanks for your help.

    Reply

    • Esteban says

      Michael, you can get them at any Colombia store. It's cheap. Also the "Molinillo" is better known as "Bolinillo" and in Medellín, Chocolate is made with Agua de Panela not with water alone.

      Tastes much better.

      Reply

  8. Ingrid says

    How much chocolate is "one bar"? Bars come in all different sizes.

    Reply

  9. BobVamosDeportesTolima says

    Too bad it's next to impossible to find the right cheese to put in the hot chocolate here in the states that they put in there. Everything I've tried just isn't the same.

    Reply

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Colombian Hot Chocolate Recipe - Making Life Delicious (2024)

FAQs

What are Colombians known for enjoying in their hot chocolate? ›

This is actually a very common way to enjoy the beverage in Colombia, where hot chocolate is often had with breakfast or as an evening snack alongside an arepa. And yes, it's commonly served with cheese in the hot chocolate itself.

What is Colombian hot chocolate made of? ›

What is Colombian hot chocolate? Colombian hot chocolate is made using a dark unsweetened chocolate bar like Luker or Corona. It's typically made in water instead of milk with a pinch of cinnamon and cloves.

Why do Colombians put cheese in their hot chocolate? ›

A little bit of salt enhances the flavors of chocolate and creates a much more complex gastronomical experience. Colombian hot chocolate is exactly the same. Adding a bit of salty cheese to the cup makes the chocolate's notes more pronounced.

Do Colombians love to dip cheese into hot chocolate and eat it true or false? ›

That's correct, though it may seem like an unconventional taste pairing than our taste buds may be used to, this sweet-and-savory beverage is quite common in places like Colombia, where they've enjoyed chunks of cheese in their cocoa for ages.

What do Colombians drink the most? ›

Aguardiente, which means “fiery water” in English, is Colombia's most popular traditional tipple. It's an anise-flavored drink, made from sugarcane.

Which country has the best hot chocolate in the world? ›

Both Switzerland and France are renowned for their hot chocolate, and each country offers a distinct experience. Switzerland is famous for its rich and indulgent hot chocolate. Swiss hot chocolate tends to be thick, creamy, and often made with high-quality chocolate.

What is the difference between Mexican hot chocolate and Colombian hot chocolate? ›

Traditionally, it's also mixed with water as opposed to milk, which is another difference between 'traditional' hot chocolate. Another difference is that Colombian hot chocolate also has no spices as Mexican hot chocolate would. Rather, it's frothed until the texture is lighter and fluffier and left pure.

What does Colombian chocolate taste like? ›

Chocolate with an exquisite and robust profile with a defined aroma, typical of the cocoa of this region. A strong bitter taste balanced with cocoa notes and delicate sweet tones. These combined with subtle fruity and nutty notes make this chocolate the best possible expression of dark chocolates.

Is hot chocolate popular in Colombia? ›

In Colombia, hot chocolate is a much-loved drink, either enjoyed for breakfast or before bedtime. It can be made with water or milk, can be either sweetened or unsweetened, and some varieties even come with a cheese topping, called santafereno.

What candy is Colombia known for? ›

Supercoco. There's no talking about Colombian candy and snacks without talking about Supercoco. Around since the 1950s, these chewy caramel candies with pieces of shredded coconut started with a family recipe that was itself inspired by the traditional cocadas, or coconut candy, made in Cartagena.

What do Colombians eat for a snack? ›

Today, I want to tell you about ten of the most popular snacks you will find Colombians munching on.
  • Arepas. ...
  • Deditos de Queso ("Cheese Fingers") ...
  • Empanadas. ...
  • Pastel Gloria. ...
  • Bocadillo with Cheese. ...
  • Chicharrones. ...
  • Kebabs. ...
  • Papas Rellenas (Stuff Potatoes)
Jan 16, 2021

Do Colombians eat avocado? ›

In Colombia, avocados are often served with arepas, which are cooked cornmeal cakes either served as a side dish or snack. The buttery fruits are also sliced as a topping over the traditional dish, ajiaco soup, and are sprinkled with salt and served as a lunchtime snack.

How do Colombians kiss? ›

And, contrary to other Latin American countries, in Colombia this type of greeting consists of one kiss given right cheek-to-right cheek. If you are a man greeting a man, you'll want to greet with a handshake or even just a verbal greeting.

Do Colombians eat pork? ›

Colombian dishes and ingredients vary widely by region; however, some of the most common ingredients includes an endless variety of staples. Cereals such as rice and maize; tubers such as potato and cassava; assorted legumes; meats, including beef, chicken, pork and goat; and fish and other seafood.

What food is consumed the most in Colombia? ›

The arepa is a sort of bread made of corn flour. It definitely is the most consumed food by Colombians! There is a wide variety of arepas: arepa de huevos (with eggs), arepa de choclo (with yellow corn), etc.

Is Colombia known for its chocolate? ›

Colombia is one of the largest producers of cacao in the world. Around 95% of Colombia's cacao exports are classed as "Fine Flavour" by the International Cacao Organization.

How is hot chocolate related to Hispanic culture? ›

Long before coffee arrived on the continent, something more akin to the hot chocolate we know today was consumed. Known as xocolātl, this bitter-chocolate drink was derived from cocoa, which grew natively across much of Mesoamerica. It was widely consumed by the Mayas and those within the Aztec Empire.

What drink is Colombia known for? ›

“Aguardiente” is the national drink of Colombia, it is made by sugar cane and has an anise essence. Depending on the region you can find different local brands of Aguardiente.

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