Hot chocolate is a comforting treat that’s particularly welcome in cold and dismal weather. Of course, we’re all familiar with the powdered variety that’s been popular as a quick pick-me-up for decades, but once you’ve tasted the indulgent delights of the real thing, we can assure you that you’ll never want the instant stuff again!
Making your own hot chocolate is really very simple, and requires far fewer ingredients than anything you’ll buy in a shop. In fact, all you’ll need is a few squares of your chosen solid chocolate, sugar, cocoa powder and milk. The other additives found in ready-made chocolate drinks are preservatives or bulking agents that do nothing for the taste.
Ingredients
Full-fat milk
Dark chocolate bar with a high cocoa solid content e.g. Green & Blacks Dark 85%
cocoa powder
whipped cream and chocolate flakes (if desired) to finish
Method
For one person, measure out enough milk to fill a cup and pour it into a small milk pan. Start to warm it on a low heat.
Next, take three teaspoons of cocoa powder and whisk it into the warming milk for a minute or two. Then take 3-4 squares of the chocolate and continue to whisk as they melt. Continue until all powder and chocolate have completely dissolved.
You’ve now made a basic hot chocolate that can either be enjoyed as it is, or sweetened with a teaspoon or two of sugar. For a more indulgent twist, place a generous dessert spoon of whipped cream into the mug before pouring in the warm hot chocolate mixture, adding a few chocolate flakes for decoration and extra flavour.
Once you’ve tasted your home-made hot chocolate you’ll realise you’ve been missing out on this sensuous and decadent pleasure for years: it will be creamier, naturally thicker and have a fuller and more honest flavour than the synthetic drinks we’re all used to, so it’s an impressive trick to have up your sleeve for when guests stay late. For those with children, home-made hot chocolate is a great way to give an occasional tasty treat that isn’t packed with additives.
It’s certainly more effort than pouring water over a mass of brown granules, but unless you want hot chocolate more often than is strictly necessary (or healthy!), then it’s no hardship to make delicious, home-made drinking chocolate every once in a while.
Image: Tom T
