Chocolate de agua is a spiced, aromatic, comforting, and easy-to-make drink, that's perfect for those cool mornings and evenings. Our popular hot chocolate water drink is perfect for those looking for a lighter, dairy-free morning drink, vegans, and those who can't have milk.
Why we ❤️ it
Like many of our dishes, I bet this chocolate de agua recipe was invented as an inexpensive alternative to popular dishes. Because at one point or another, we've all been there, pulling off whole meals out of a hat, even when the fridge looked, as Dominicans say, 'como el Teatro Agua y Luz' (like the Light and Water Theater).
Or as my father wisely put it, "hunger is the best seasoning".
And when it comes to stretching budgets nothing satisfies like a delicious cup of lactose-free chocolate de agua dominicano; long ago a breakfast or dinner budget drink, now we drink it for comfort, its strong chocolate flavor, and its delightful spiciness.
Serving suggestions
You can serve your hot cocoa with water with Pan de agua, or a delicious piece of Pan de maíz, either for dinner or breakfast.
It also goes very well with a piece of sweet Arepa, or savory Arepa.
Non-dairy cocoa and chocolate
Top tips
- Dominicans will immediately know what chocolate product we use for this (Chocolate Embajador or Munne brands) "water chocolate" recipe, however, it won't be possible to find those abroad.
- I have experimented with unsweetened baking chocolate with a pretty good result, bear in mind that baking chocolate can be a bit overpowering so start with half the amount the recipe calls for. Try it and if it seems like it might need more chocolate, then add a second square.
- If you are using cocoa powder, use the unsweetened kind and follow the same instructions as in the paragraph above.
- Use the equivalent amount of your favorite sweetener instead of sugar for a low-carb, keto, diabetic-friendly, light version.
About our recipe
This is a very simple drink, with a small list of ingredients. The only difference you'll find between the way home cooks make this is the amount and variety of spices in it. This is really a foolproof recipe.
And check out these other Dominican hot drink recipes that you'll love too.
Salud!
Video
Recipe
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Chocolate de Agua [Recipe + Video] Hot Chocolate Water Drink
Ingredients
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon clove powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (freshly-grated)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 baking chocolate bars, or 2 cups of cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 cup sugar (white, granulated)
Instructions
Combining ingredients
In a large pot, combine 1 quart [1 liter] of water, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
Boiling water for chocolate
Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer until ⅓ of the liquid has evaporated. Add chocolate (or cocoa) and stir until the chocolate has dissolved.Add sugar to taste.
Boiling
- Sieve to remove solids and serve hot; see serving suggestions above the recipe.
Tips and Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutritional information.
FAQs
To make chocolate water the water and spices are heated until the water reaches a boil, the chocolate is then dissolved in the boiling-hot water.
Chocolate de agua or chocolate water made with spices is a very aromatic, tasty, and comforting drink.
To microwave water for hot chocolates, heat the water in a microwave-safe container that is twice as large as the volume of water for 60 seconds on High (don't let the water reach a boil). Exercise caution when removing from the microwave.
Published Mar 29, 2003, revised
