Tsokolate or Filipino hot chocolate is unadorned. No whipped cream, marshmallows or sweet syrups to hide behind. Made with just milk and tablea or cocoa tablets, it is what chocolate purists dream of. It’s quick, easy, delicious and sure to lift your spirits!
(Tsokolate goes really well with suman – sticky rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves. It also goes well with pandesal (Filipino bread rolls) and ensaymada (Filipino sweet cheesy brioche!)
Over the holidays we saw a slew of incredible hot chocolate drinks invade our screens, all of them equally luxurious and divine. Some had marshmallows on top of whipped cream on top of ice cream on top of brownies. They were amazing!
That’s what the holidays are for after all. Once a year we reward ourselves with delightful things that we can then dream about the whole year.
This is not that kind of hot chocolate though.
Filipino hot chocolate or tsokolate (pronounced cho-co-lah-teh) is simple, muted, like that hug you need on a particularly dreary winter day, after a nasty time at work, when all you want to do is sit and read a book (preferably a cookbook with nice photos).
Tsokolate is the perfect winter drink
Last weekend we heard words like “arctic air”, “extreme cold weather alert” and “icy road conditions” thrown around. There was not much snow where I was but the temperature dipped to -20C (-4F).
You’d think living in Canada all these years I’d be used to this by now but understand that I grew up in the tropics so I always find myself feeling personally offended by winter (I mean, the wind hurts me face!).
Enter tsokolate. Now that makes me feel better about my eyeballs feeling cold.
Related: 29 Best Hot Drinks for Winter You’ll Love
Filipino hot chocolate all year
Truth be told, I drink hot chocolate all year. Yes, even in the summer. Weird? I think not. It’s chocolate, it’s delicious, and I drink it somewhere air-conditioned.
I mean, why do coffee drinkers get their hot coffee all year and I’m judged when I have my hot chocolate? Why am I getting so angry? I blame winter lol.
Related: Strawberry Mango Banana Smoothie
Where to buy tsokolate tablea
Anyway, back to this tsokolate recipe – there really is nothing simpler. The hardest part is getting hold of good quality tablea (here’s an example
of what they look like).
I usually buy a stash when I go home to Manila or I ask (nicely) that someone bring back a few packages for me. No worries though; you can also find good ones in Filipino or Asian stores (and there’s always Amazon).
Some are better than others (i.e. chocolatier and purer) but your recipe testing is sure to be a delicious one!
How to make tsokolate from tablea
Tsokolate is traditionally made by whisking the tablea in milk with a batidor or wooden whisk that kind of looks like a honey dipper but more intense (something like this
).
Imagine little Filipino grandmas beating the life out of a tablea with a batidor they probably inherited from their own grandmas. Now those are epic tsokolate.
Sadly, I don’t have a batidor so I just use a normal whisk
or an immersion blender
. It results to a lovely mug of hot chocolate just the same.
Be warned though: no matter how vigorously you whisk you will get some bits of cocoa in your drink – tsokolate is traditionally slightly gritty (I love that about it) but you can strain your hot chocolate if you prefer a smoother drink
However you decide to have your mug of Filipino hot chocolate, you’re sure to feel better about your day. Let’s get through winter together!
What goes well with tsokolate?
In addition to suman, pandesal and ensaymada, tsokolate would also be perfect with:
-
- Classic Buttermilk Scones – Easy, Delicious, Done in 15 Minutes
-
- Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake (with video)
- Light, flaky and easy-to-make classic buttermilk scones. They’re ready in 15 minutes!
- And with this delightful Meyer lemon ricotta pound cake. Sweet and salty, soft and moist, it doesn’t need any frosting! It’s that good.
How to Make Tsokolate (Filipino Hot Chocolate)
Ingredients
- 6 pcs sweetened tsokolate tablea roughly chopped
- 2 12-oz cans evaporated milk
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan on medium heat, whisk 6 tsokolate tablea in evaporated milk until dissolved.
- Transfer to mugs. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- The tablea I get is usually sweetened so there is no need for sugar or other sweeteners in this drink. They are available unsweetened though and it's quite bitter. Check before purchasing.
- For a smoother drink, strain the tsokolate through a fine mesh strainer before serving.
Happy whisking!
Did you make tsokolate (Filipino hot chocolate)? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it.
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(This post was updated on 9 January 2019.)
Shaheen says
Marvelous cup of hot chocolate.
Michele says
Now I’m wanting a cup or two of this! Being diabetic I guess I would go with the unsweetened and then add a non sugar substitute!
Elizabeth O says
I love hot chocolate and, like my collection of coffee and tea, I drink it year round. I have some of the cocoa tablets and they are a bit gritty.
J says
Oh yum! This sounds wonderful for a cold chilly day. I will definitely have to try it! YUM!
Tami Qualls says
My daughter is a hot chocolate and cappuccino expert. She will be surprised that she didn’t know about this hot chocolate.
Jolina says
Haha hope it’s a happy surprise 🙂 Thanks Tami!
Jennifer L says
Oh what a decadent drink! Never seen filipino hot chocolate but sounds yummy!
Jessica Sheppard says
This hot chocolate sounds delish! Looks like the real deal. Super excited to give it a try. Perfect for a cold dreary day!
Jolina says
Thank you! It is pure cocoa, just awesome chocolate flavour. Hope it brightens up your dreary winter days (we’ve been having quite a few lately!)
Jennifer says
This hot chocolate drink brings back memories of cold winter days when I was a little girl. My mom always made us hot chocolate for breakfast. I know it is weird, but I feel so much love when I take a sip of my mom’s hot choco. I would assume you had that same feeling too, having to savor a drink you grew up with.
Jolina says
I those are the best kinds of recipes, filled with happy memories!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Hot chocolate must be enjoyed anytime of the year! I agree with you, if you can drink coffee even during hot summer days, why not hot chocolate too? I wish I could try some of that authentic tablea you mentioned. It must be so good!
Jolina says
Right? They’re too good not to be 🙂 I hope you find them too! Thanks Annemarie!
Val says
Who’s silly enough to judge you for drinking hot chocolate at any one time? I love it and can drink it year round if I’m in the mood.
Jolina says
IKR?? Silly, silly people 🙂 Let’s enjoy hot chocolate year round!
Saidah Washington says
I love trying recipes from different parts of the world. I’ll bet this tastes so good.
Jolina says
Me too! We’re lucky to live in a city so diverse that we can get different cuisines whenever we go out.
Neely Moldovan says
As a huge hot chocolate lover this sounds delicious to me! I for sure need to try it!
Kelly says
Holy cow this looks soooo good! Im a sucker for hot chocolate and I’ve never had it like this! Cue mouth watering now! Maybe i’ll try it today since its freezing outside!
Hanna says
Cant wait to try this! My son is really into hot cocoa right now!
Carmen says
Yum! This looks absolutely incredible. I’ve been having Mexican hot chocolate lately so a Filipino version sounds great change.
Jolina says
Thanks! I love a warm mug of Mexican hot chocolate too 🙂
Jillian says
Yum, this sounds delicious. I can’t wait to try it!
Leah says
This. Sounds. Amazing. I am just going to come over to your house and you can make me allllll the desserts! LOL!
Jolina says
Awesome idea! You guys bring the drinks (of course!) (PS: and if you can, an extra tray of your amazing boozy marshmallows teehee)
Samantha says
Sounds delicious! I love the image of a grandmother beating the heck out warm milk and chocolate! Ha! Also, you could move to Vancouver … the wind will never hurt your face here! 😉
Jolina says
Haha maybe I should! Or at least visit, I hear it’s lovely!
Rachel says
Always looking for a tasty new hot chocolate recipe. Found it!
Jennifer Corter says
Yum yum yum! This looks delicious! I want to try it!
Barb says
Oh man, I haven’t had this since I was a little girl. Brings back such fond memories sitting around the kitchen table on a Saturday morning and having it with warm pandesal. 🙂
Jolina says
Oh man me too! So many happy memories with tsokolate and pandesal and all those fun times spent at lolo and lola’s house! Ahhh the good old days 🙂
candy says
I love hot chocolate so must give this a try. First I will have to try and find everything I need to make this great looking hot chocolate.
Jolina says
It’s really delicious, hope you find really good tablea where you are 🙂
Emily says
I am all for hot chocolate, and even insist on my coffee having a fair amount of chocolate in it. I have never had this before, I will have to try it. Thanks!
Jolina says
One can never have too much chocolate and it sounds delicious with coffee!
Divya says
I’ve been drinking a ton of hot chocolate lately because it’s been so cold! I’d love to try this – it looks so creamy and delicious!
Jamie says
I love love love hot chocolate! During the winter it is my go-to drink because it is so tasty and helps you warm up! This spin sounds so good!
Jolina says
Me too, anytime of the year, but especially during the cold months 🙂 Hope you like this version!
Liz Mays says
It’s such a great warming and comforting drink. I love that you don’t need additional sweetener.
Jolina says
I love that about it too! You can really taste the earthy, lovely cocoa 🙂
Maria says
It’s cold as hell here and this hot chocolate would fit amazingly, thank you!
Jolina says
This would certainly help! Keep warm Maria!
Sandra says
A nice warm cup of cocoa and snuggling in a blanket sounds heavenly! I love the simplicity of Filipino hot chocolate and would prefer this version without marshmallows!
Barbara says
Mmm I think I would like this. Your mugs are cute, too. 🙂
Jolina says
Aren’t they?? They’re from the Pioneer Woman collection which I have been slowly but surely hoarding haha!
juli says
Okay two things:
1- This sounds and looks really really delicious!
2- I’m a hot cocoa year round drinker is well! A girl needs her chocolate and I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be in drink form all day and all night every day of the year! lol!
Jolina says
Oh yay! Another year-round hot cocoa drinker 🙂 We can start a movement I tell ya!
Crystal says
I love all your Filipino dishes and this is definitely another one I’d like to try! Looks so comforting for winter.
Jolina says
Thank you Crystal! Hope it helps you keep warm!
Robin says
Yeah I agree with you Hot chocolate can be taken any season. I take my hot chocolate as dessert. Tablea is a must try 🙂
Jolina says
Hi Robin! Oh yeah, hot choco any time of the year AND as dessert. I like the way you think! 🙂
Gillian Kent says
This would be nice. The evaporated milk will give it a different rich flavor. Must try this.
Jolina says
It makes it rich and very creamy 🙂 Hope you like it Gillian!
Byron Thomas says
Everything about Filipino Hot Chocolate is like heaven to me! It’s the only way to really, really drink a hot chocolate. Oh, and I am loving your PW cups – I have the same two in my cupboard!
Jolina says
I agree 🙂 And oh dear I am becoming addicted to the PW collection. I am buying it one piece at a time haha. I love them. Thanks Byron!
Vicki says
looks delicious and perfect for the cold weather we are having right now !!
Debi says
This sounds great! I wonder if I can get tsokolate tablea at my local international market. I’ll keep an eye out. BTW, I love your quote, “like that hug you need on a particularly dreary winter day…”
Jolina says
Thanks Debi! 🙂 And I hope you can find them (if all else fails – Amazon lol!).
Joanna says
I love any and all hot chocolates! I bet this one is not any different, I’d love it too. 🙂 I’ll have to look for that chocolate the though!
Jolina says
Hope you find the tablea!
Mary Jane says
This looks like such a delicious, cozy drink! You also take such beautiful photos 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
Jolina says
You are most welcome Mary Jane! You’re too kind 🙂
Maia says
this looks so good
Katrin says
Your recipe sounds delicious. Especially, when it’s minus twenty degrees outside. And by the way, I have cup envy! They are just gorgeous.
Jolina says
Aren’t they?? They’re from the Pioneer Woman collection, which I am slowly getting obsessed with haha! Thanks Katrin!
Dawn says
I think the older I get, the less I enjoy the cold. I mean, I never really did like the cold, but now I don’t think I can handle it at all! Bundle me up when I go out, that’s for sure! I’m like the little kid in A Christmas Story….ya know the younger brother when the mother puts his suit on him he can’t even put his arms down he has that much clothes on, lol 😀 Anyway, hot chocolate…I love hot chocolate too and have never heard of tsokolate before. Sounds quite interesting and as I was reading your post I was thinking about how badly I just want to cuddle up with a big mug of this and a book. Stay warm, my friend and have a great week!
Jolina says
Haha I know exactly what you mean. One time I was so cold I tried driving with my parka hood on. Needless to say it was not my smartest idea teehee. And me, hot chocolate and a book (or possibly Netflix) would be my jam this winter. Stay warm too Dawn! Have a lovely (and not too chilly or snowy) week!