Hot Chocolate in Style

Do you like hot chocolate? We do! We sell the Van Houten luxury hot chocolate in various shapes and forms, one being their Fairtrade one. Hot chocolate, especially brands such as Van Houten that do the luxury versions can be nice to buy premade – all you have to do is add milk in some cases, or water in others. However, you may want to do something more with it and below are some ideas for how to serve your hot chocolate, how to spice it up and how to make your own blend.

Own Blend

1 tbsp good quality cacao

1-2 tbsp sugar, honey, xylitol or maple syrup

1 tbsp cold milk (whether traditional milk, or a vegan version), or cream

1 cup hot milk (whether traditional milk, or a vegan version)

Mix the cacao, sweetener and cold milk or cream in a cup. Add hot milk and stir.

Mint Chocolate

Especially around Christmas time people go crazy for mint candy canes and using them with your hot chocolate is a perfect way to bring some Christmas cheer. Just add a few traditional, sweet white and red mint caramels to the hot chocolate and allow them to dissolve. Serve with whipped cream and either crush some caramels and pour on top, put two small caramels on there, or simply stick a candy cane in there.

Orange Chocolate

Many people are fans of combining orange and chocolate. You can add a drop or two of orange oil/extract into your chocolate, or buy an orange syrup. If you like you can make it a tad more Mexican and spicy by also adding a dash of chili and cinnamon. You can serve it with whipped cream and some candied orange slices on the side of the glass, or on top of the whipped cream if you use it. You can also sprinkle it with cinnamon and/or put a cinnamon stick in the glass, or next to it.

Seventh Heaven Hot Chocolate

This is a recipe we found from DivineCaroline, who mentions it will take you to seventh heaven…

Ingredients
3 cups unsweetened chocolate almond milk
3 cups sweetened chocolate almond milk
1/2 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream or Frangelico
1/4 cup Grand Marnier or Triple Sec
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cardamom

Directions
Heat almond milk and spices in a pot until they’re hot, but not boiling. Add Bailey’s and Grand Marnier. Note that you can use all sweetened or all unsweetened almond milk. Serves four to six.

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