I Never Drink Hot Chocolate Without Adding a Little of This First (It Makes the Flavor 100x Better!)

In the wintertime, I love to wind down with a cozy mug of tea. One of my favorite varieties is Earl Grey (black tea infused with oil of bergamot). It’s amazing on its own, but every now and again I’ll order a London Fog at a cafe (aka an earl grey latte). 

Brands swiftly realized the potential, which is why the flavor combo has entered the food world in a variety of forms. Take London Fog Milanos, for example, which are absolutely delicious and perfect for dipping with a cuppa. And don’t even get me started on Van Leeuwen’s Earl Grey Tea ice cream — the first time I tried it, I was truly blown away. (Seriously, grab a pint and experience it for yourself. It’s a culinary masterpiece.)

Recently I came across a TikTok that infused Earl Grey tea in something I never thought to put it in: hot chocolate. It seemed like it would be another match made in heaven. And people in the comment section were raving about it — one person said they “ABSOLUTELY LOVE” it, and another said “it blew my mind!” That was enough for me to try it, and after taking one sip, I’m equally as obsessed with this combo as the internet is. 

Get the recipe: Earl Grey Hot Chocolate 

To make the Earl Grey hot chocolate, all you need to do is steep some Earl Grey tea into hot milk. (I used Tazo Earl Grey tea, heated my milk in a small saucepan on the stove, and let it steep for 10 minutes.) Then simply use that as the base of your hot chocolate. 

Whether you decide to go for packets or make it from scratch is up to you. I used my tried-and-true hot cocoa recipe from the back of Hershey’s cocoa containers. It calls for 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of sugar, a dash of salt, and a dash of vanilla extract. Mix all the ingredients together, then pour the tea-infused warm milk over, and stir until fully combined and lump-free. (I used a milk frother to get it extra smooth.) That’s it — sit back and enjoy! You can also top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder if you wish. 

As I mentioned, I love Earl Grey tea, so I thought I’d like this combo. Well, I was wrong — I loved it! The floral citrusy notes of the bergamot meld beautifully with the sweet, rich hot chocolate. It’s not overpowering, either. First you’re hit with the chocolate flavor, then the tea comes in on the back end. It adds a bit of intrigue and feels like an elevated, fancier, more indulgent version of your standard hot chocolate.

If you’re a London Fog or Earl Grey fan, you’ll love it for sure. I also think you’d enjoy it if you’re into botanical drinks, like a lavender latte, or like the combo of chocolate and orange around the holiday season. It’s sublime and has become my new go-to cozy drink to wind down with at night. 

• Swap in a different tea: If Earl Grey isn’t your thing, swap in a different tea. Peppermint would be great to replicate that peppermint bark vibe. 
• Let it steep: Don’t be afraid to let your tea steep for a while, as you really want those flavors to infuse. Ten minutes was perfect, in my opinion. 
  
  Get the recipe: Earl Grey Hot Chocolate