Infused Hot Chocolate

Prep: 5 minutes | Servings: 1 | Difficulty: Easy

The fastest cannabis edible you can make — heat milk, add chocolate and your infusion of choice. The fat in whole milk and chocolate helps cannabinoid absorption, and the strong chocolate flavor covers any cannabis taste. Great for evening relaxation or cold weather.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk (or oat milk, coconut milk — fattier is better for absorption)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened, Dutch-process preferred)
• 1–2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
• Your cannabis infusion — choose one:
  • Option A: 1 teaspoon cannabis-infused coconut oil (most common)
  • Option B: 1 teaspoon cannabis honey (replaces some sugar)
  • Option C: ½–1 mL cannabis tincture (drops, no added fat)
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: splash of vanilla extract, cinnamon, cayenne pepper
• Optional: whipped cream, marshmallows

Instructions

1. Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling (~160–170°F). Boiling destroys cannabinoids and scalds the milk.
2. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until dissolved. Add a pinch of salt.
3. Remove from heat. Let cool for 1–2 minutes — you want it drinkable-warm, not scalding.
4. Stir in your cannabis infusion (oil, honey, or tincture). If using coconut oil, whisk vigorously or use a milk frother to emulsify — otherwise the oil floats on top.
5. Add vanilla, cinnamon, or cayenne if desired.
6. Pour into a mug. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.

Variations

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Add ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Use dark cocoa powder. The spice complements cannabis's earthy flavor surprisingly well.

Mint Hot Chocolate

Add 2–3 drops peppermint extract. Use dark chocolate or add a few chocolate chips for extra richness.

Mocha

Add 1 shot espresso or 1 teaspoon instant coffee. The coffee bitterness pairs with cannabis and chocolate.

White Hot Chocolate

Replace cocoa powder with 2 oz chopped white chocolate. Melt into the warm milk. Sweeter and milder — less cannabis flavor coverage, so use tincture if taste is a concern.

Golden Milk (Turmeric Latte)

Replace cocoa powder with 1 teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon honey. Use cannabis coconut oil. Anti-inflammatory combo.

Using Lecithin

If you're using cannabis oil (not tincture), add ¼ teaspoon sunflower lecithin powder along with the oil. This emulsifies the oil into the milk so it doesn't float on top — the same reason commercial hot chocolate mixes stay blended.

Dosing

• This is a single serving — the full dose is in one mug
• Know your oil's potency: if your infused oil is ~30mg/tablespoon, then 1 teaspoon ≈ 10mg THC — a standard dose
• For a lighter experience, use ½ teaspoon of oil (~5mg)
• Onset: 30–90 minutes (same as other edibles)
• Don't make a second cup until you've waited at least 2 hours

Tips

• Whole milk > skim. The fat in whole milk helps absorb cannabinoids. Skim milk works but absorption will be lower.
• A milk frother works great for blending in coconut oil — 10 seconds and the oil is fully emulsified.
• Dutch-process cocoa is smoother and less bitter than natural cocoa. Ghirardelli, Droste, or Valrhona are good choices.
• Make it iced: Prepare as above, let cool completely, pour over ice. Works well with tincture (no oil separation when cold).
• Batch prep: Mix dry ingredients (cocoa, sugar, salt, cinnamon) in a jar. Scoop 3 tablespoons per serving — just add hot milk and cannabis.