Caribbean Cocoa Tea Recipe

Although its traditionally made on the tropical Caribbean islands, it’s also the perfect warming hot drink for cold winter days and nights. The delicious spices infused in the drink also make it a perfect Christmas drink too!

The history of the Caribbean islands is closely linked with the beans of the cocoa tree. The islands have the ideal climate to grow some of the best quality cocoa, which is one of the reasons why the islands were colonised and used by European powers during the 17th and 18th century to build a plantation economy, mainly based on sugar, but also rum, cotton, coffee and cocoa. You can read more about the history of Chocolate in the Caribbean in this blog post.

If you live outside of the Caribbean, you may be wondering where you can buy cocoa sticks to make your own coca tea. Over here in the UK, it’s not stocked in mainstream supermarkets, but you may be able to find them in West Indian or afro-Caribbean supermarkets. I’ve also come across this online store that sells St Lucian cocoa sticks. 

Another way to get your hands on some cocoa (which is a lot less practical for most!) is to get some straight from the islands, if you go on holiday to the Caribbean, you can buy it from local markets and they often sell it in the airport in duty free along with spices and rum.

Here is a simple cocoa tea recipe without any measurements. This can be used as a guide to make your cocoa tea as it depends on how many cups you want to make, and your taste for sugar and spices. Every person makes their cocoa tea slightly differently - it all depends on personal preference. You might like to add more spices to your tea, or you may want your cocoa tea really sweet so add extra sugar. You have the opportunity to make your own perfect cocoa tea recipe!

Over the past few years, creating my graduate collection and starting this business, I have had to opportunity to learn so much more about my Caribbean heritage and Caribbean food. The images in this post are from one of my first times making cocoa tea myself after looking up recipes, and talking to my grandparents about it, so I am by no means an expert! If you’re looking for a more detailed recipe, or even a video to follow along with, you can try this recipe from Terri-Ann’s Kitchen, this quick video from Travel Saint Lucia or this recipe from Tropical Isle Living.

• Water
• Cocoa stick
• Bay leaf
• Cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon
• Star anise
• Vanilla pod or vanilla extract
• Milk or non-dairy milk or condensed milk
• Sugar or honey

I hope this inspired you to try cocoa tea if you haven’t already, or if you already appreciate a good cup of cocoa tea, I hope it reminded you to make some more soon! 

If you’re looking for a good accompaniment, why not have your cocoa tea with the:

• Caribbean Sugar Cookies
• Rum & Raisin Cookies
• Caribbean Rum Cake

If you do get a chance to make some cocoa tea, be sure to snap some pictures and email them to me or share on Instagram - I’d love to see them!