Caribbean Cocoa Tea – Jehan Can Cook

This was the “hot chocolate” that my parents grew up on: Caribbean cocoa tea. Made with real grated cocoa, milk, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sweetened condensed milk, this traditional Caribbean drink is rich, creamy and perfect for breakfast.

Unlike hot chocolate made with cocoa powder, cocoa tea is traditionally made with a raw cocoa ball, which is made from roasted and ground cocoa beans. The cocoa is formed into a ball or stick and grated before being cooked with water, milk, and warming spices.

If you’ve never made cocoa tea from a cocoa ball before, this recipe is the place to start.

What Is Caribbean Cocoa Tea?

Cocoa tea is a warm chocolate drink enjoyed throughout parts of the Caribbean. While recipes vary from island to island and family to family, the basic idea is simple: grated cocoa is simmered with water, milk, spices, and a sweetener.

Cocoa is grown in several Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Dominica, Saint Lucia.

The spices are an important part of what makes Caribbean cocoa tea so special. Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg give the drink a warm, aromatic flavor that makes it completely different from a typical cup of hot chocolate.

Why You’ll Love This Cocoa Tea

• Made with real grated cocoa for a deep chocolate flavor
• Creamy and comforting thanks to milk
• Warmly spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg
• Easy to customize with your favorite milk and sweetener
• Perfect for breakfast or brunch
• A delicious way to enjoy traditional Caribbean flavors

Ingredients for Caribbean Cocoa Tea

You’ll need:

• Grated cocoa
• Water
• Milk
• Cinnamon stick
• Whole cloves
• Vanilla extract
• Nutmeg
• Sweetened condensed milk

The full measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Caribbean Cocoa Tea

1. Grate the cocoa ball

Start by grating your cocoa ball.

This is what gives the drink its distinctive flavor. Freshly grated cocoa has an incredible aroma, and you’ll notice the difference as soon as you begin grating it.

If your cocoa ball is very hard, use a sturdy grater and take your time.

2. Simmer the cocoa and spices

Add the water, grated cocoa, cloves, and cinnamon stick to a pot.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 7 to 10 minutes.

This allows the cocoa to dissolve and gives the cinnamon and cloves time to infuse the liquid.

3. Add the milk and remaining flavors

Add the milk, vanilla extract, and nutmeg.

Stir everything together and allow it to simmer for another five minutes.

Be careful not to let the milk come to a hard boil. A gentle simmer is all you need.

4. Sweeten to taste

Remove the pot from the heat.

Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until completely incorporated.

Taste and adjust the sweetness as desired.

5. Serve

Pour the cocoa tea into mugs and serve warm.

For the best experience, enjoy it while it’s hot and fragrant.

Cocoa Tea Variations

One of the best things about cocoa tea is how easy it is to customize. Different families and Caribbean islands have their own ways of making it, so don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own.

Sweetener Variations

Sweetened condensed milk adds both sweetness and creaminess, but it isn’t your only option.

Granulated sugar: A simple option that allows you to control the sweetness without adding extra creaminess.

Brown sugar: Adds a deeper, slightly caramel-like flavor.

Honey: Adds a floral sweetness, although it will slightly change the flavor of the cocoa tea.

You can also leave the cocoa tea only lightly sweetened if you prefer a stronger, more intense cocoa flavor.

Milk Variations

Whole milk gives this cocoa tea a rich and creamy texture, but there are plenty of alternatives.

Evaporated milk: A great choice if you want an especially rich and creamy cup.

Coconut milk: Adds a subtle coconut flavor that pairs beautifully with the cocoa and spices.

Oat milk: A good dairy-free option that gives the cocoa tea a creamy texture.

Almond milk: Works well for a lighter version.

Half-and-half: For an extra-rich cocoa tea, replace some of the milk with half-and-half.

If you’re using a dairy-free milk, choose an unsweetened variety so you have more control over the final sweetness.

Spice Variations

Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are my go-to combination, but you can experiment with other warm spices.

Try adding:

• Fresh ginger for a little heat
• Allspice for a warm, peppery Caribbean flavor
• Star anise for a subtle licorice-like aroma
• Cardamom for a fragrant, slightly floral flavor
• Bay Leaf for a subtle earthy flavor

You can use one additional spice or create your own combination. Just remember that some spices, especially cloves and star anise, can be quite strong, so a little goes a long way.

Tips for Making the Best Cocoa Tea

Grate the cocoa finely. Smaller pieces dissolve more easily and give you a smoother drink.

Don’t rush the simmering process. Letting the cocoa and spices simmer gives the drink time to develop its flavor.

Don’t boil the milk aggressively. Once the milk is added, keep the heat low and let it gently simmer

Sweeten at the end. This makes it easier to adjust the sweetness once all of the ingredients have been added.

Experiment with your spices. Cocoa tea can easily be adapted to suit your tastes.  Play with the

What to Serve With Cocoa Tea

Cocoa tea is wonderful on its own, but it’s even better with something to eat.

Try serving it with:

It’s also a great drink to serve during a weekend breakfast or brunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cocoa tea the same as hot chocolate?

They’re similar, but traditional cocoa tea is generally made with grated cocoa rather than commercial cocoa powder or chocolate syrup. The addition of the spices also gives cocoa tea its distinctive flavor.

Can I use cocoa powder instead of grated cocoa?

You can, but the flavor will be different. For a traditional cocoa tea, grated cocoa from a cocoa ball or cocoa stick is preferred.

Can I make cocoa tea dairy-free?

Yes. Substitute the regular milk with your favorite plant-based milk. Coconut or oat milk are particularly good options.

Can I make cocoa tea less sweet?

Absolutely. Start with a small amount of condensed milk or your preferred sweetener and add more until it reaches your preferred sweetness.

What spices go in Caribbean cocoa tea?

Cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf and nutmeg are popular choices. Depending on the recipe and personal preference, you can also use ginger, allspice, cardamom, or star anise.

Shop This Cocoa Tea Recipe

Here are a few of my favorite kitchen tools for making a cozy cup of Caribbean cocoa tea:

Cocoa Balls: Traditional cocoa balls are the star ingredient for making authentic-style cocoa tea.
Shop Cocoa Balls

Grater: Perfect for grating the cocoa ball before making your cocoa tea.
Shop Grater

Small Cast Iron Saucepan: A good saucepan is all you need to simmer the cocoa, spices, and milk.
Shop Saucepan

Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring the cocoa as it simmers and mixing in the condensed milk.
Shop Wooden Spoons

Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring the water, milk, and other ingredients.
Shop Measuring Cups

Fine-Mesh Strainer: If you prefer your cocoa tea extra smooth, strain it before serving.
Shop Fine-Mesh Strainer

Cozy Ceramic Mugs: Cocoa tea is best served hot in your favorite mug!
Shop Ceramic Mugs

Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you.

Get the Recipe
Caribbean Cocoa Tea

This homemade cocoa tea is rich, creamy, warmly spiced, is made with grated cocoa and simple ingredients. It’s an easy way to bring a taste of the Caribbean to your kitchen.

• 2 cups water
• 1/3 cup grated cocoa
• 5 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, or to taste

• Add water, grated cocoa, cloves, and cinnamon stick to a pot.

• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 7–10 minutes, or until the cocoa has dissolved.

• Add milk, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Simmer gently for another 5 minutes.

• Remove from heat and stir in condensed milk, adding more or less to taste.

• Pour into mugs and serve warm.