This vegan champurrado is a rich and creamy drink bursting with flavor thanks to piloncillo, cinnamon, and Mexican chocolate. It's perfect for the holidays, special occasions, or to warm up on a rainy day!
In a medium-large pot, bring the cinnamon stick, star anise, and 2 ½ cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Strain the water to remove any chunks of cinnamon or anise, then add it back to the same pot.
In the meantime, whisk the masa harina, salt, and 1 cup of very hot water together in a bowl or container. Stir vigorously to remove as many clumps as you can. Set aside.
Grate or finely chop the piloncillo and chocolate, then add both to the pot of steeped water with the soy milk. Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and piloncillo have dissolved, about 5 minutes.
Slowly pour in the masa harina mixture while whisking continuously. Turn the heat up to medium-high until the mixture comes to a low boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes until thickened.
Serve your vegan champurrado as a breakfast drink or dessert, or alongside snacks like churros, tamales, etc. Happy drinking!
Notes
Chop the mix-ins: Grate or finely chop the chocolate and piloncillo to help them dissolve quickly.Strain: Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove all traces of the spices from the water. Smooth consistency: Whisk the mixture continuously when adding the masa harina mixture to avoid lumps.Froth it: Use a molinillo or a blender to create a traditional frothy texture.Mexican chocolate quality: Use high-quality Mexican chocolate for the most authentic flavor. Check out my Mexican chocolate post for ideas.Whole spices add a more balanced flavor, so I always recommend them over powdered spices. If you use powdered spices, add them in step 3.Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.