Hot Chocolate, Four Ways

Description

The first hot chocolate recipe was created by the Mayas…some 2000 years ago. It was a cold drink made of cocoa beans, water, wine and chili peppers. The Spaniards started to heat the mixture and sweeten it with sugar. When the beverage made its way to Europe it underwent multiple changes, including adding milk and cream. Today, hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world and comes in many variations including the very thick chocolate served in Italy, and the thinner hot chocolate served in North America.

Try one of these variations on this international favorite: Hot Chocolate with Maple Drizzle,  Mexican Hot Chocolate, Mochaccino and Frangelico Hot Chocolate.

Printable Recipe – Hot Chocolate with Maple Drizzle

Printable Recipe – Mexican Hot Chocolate

Printable Recipe – Mochaccino

Printable Recipe – Frangelico Hot Chocolate

 

Hot Chocolate with Maple Drizzle

Ingredients

2 cups	Milk – whole
1/2 cup	Chocolate Mocha Sauce
TOPPING
1/2 cup	Whipping cream – whipped
Drizzle	Maple Cappuccino Sauce

 

 

 

Instructions

1. Pour the milk into a heavy sauce pan. On low heat warm the milk and whisk in the Chocolate Mocha Sauce. Turn the heat to medium high and allow the mixture to become very hot or “scald” but do not allow to boil. Whisk frequently.
2. Meanwhile, heat the Maple Cappuccino Sauce in the microwave, on low heat for about 30 seconds – just so it becomes thin enough to drizzle
3. Pour the hot chocolate into serving cups or latte bowls. Top with generous amounts of whipping cream. Drizzle the Maple Cappuccino Sauce over the whipping cream and serve immediately.  Makes 2 servings.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

HOT CHOCOLATE
2 Cups	Milk – whole
1/2 Cup	Chocolate Mocha Sauce
Pinch	Salt – preferably fleur de sel
1/8 tsp	Ancho chili powder
2	Cinnamon sticks
1	Dried red chile
TOPPING
1/2 Cup	Whipping cream – whipped
1/4 tsp	Cinnamon – ground

Instructions

1. In a heavy saucepan, on medium heat, whisk the milk, Chocolate Mocha Sauce, salt and ancho chili powder together. Add the cinnamon sticks and chili pepper, and cook gently over medium-low heat until warm. Gently bring to a high simmer – but not a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until liquid thickens and reduces slightly, whisking often, 10 minutes.
2. Fold the ground cinnamon into the whipped cream.
3. Strain the hot chocolate into serving cups or latte bowls. Top with generous amounts of cinnamon whipping cream. Serve immediately.  Makes 2 servings.

Mochaccino

Ingredients

HOT CHOCOLATE / COFFEE
1 1/2 Cups	Coffee – brewed (strong French Roast)
2 Cups	Milk – whole
1/2 Cup	Chocolate Mocha Sauce
TOPPING
1/2 Cup	Whipping cream – whipped
Drizzle	Chocolate Mocha Sauce

 

Instructions

1. Brew a pot of robust French Roast or Espresso style coffee.
2. Pour the milk into a heavy sauce pan. On low heat warm the milk and whisk in the Chocolate Mocha Sauce. Turn the heat to medium high and allow the mixture to become very hot or “scald” but do not allow to boil. Whisk frequently. Reduce the milk to simmer and using a hand mixer (high speed) or a frother – froth the milk.
3. Pour the coffee into the serving cups or latte bowls. Pour the frothed hot chocolate over the top. To serve top with generous amounts of whipping cream. Drizzle Chocolate Mocha Sauce over the whipping cream and serve immediately

Frangelico Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

HOT CHOCOLATE
2 Cups	Milk – whole
1/2 Cup	Chocolate Mocha Sauce
2 ounces	Frangelico *
TOPPING
1/2 Cup	Whipping cream – whipped
1 tsp	Hazelnuts – ground (or Almonds – ground)

 

Instructions

1. Pour the milk into a heavy sauce pan. On low heat warm the milk and whisk in the Chocolate Mocha Sauce. Turn the heat to medium high and allow the mixture to become very hot or “scald” but do not allow to boil. Whisk frequently. Add the Frangelico and continue to whisk until mixture is warm.

2. Pour the hot chocolate mixture into serving cups or latte bowls. Top with generous amounts of whipped cream. Dust the ground nuts over the whipped cream and serve immediately.

*(Frangelico is a hazelnut-flavoured liqueur – if unavailable substitute Amaretto, an almond-flavoured liqueur)