Five sweet ideas for making the perfect hot chocolate at home
HOT chocolate is the perfect shopping trip sweetener.
Luxury chain Knoops has branches selling the warming drink appearing all over the country.
But a hot choc doesn’t come cheap on the high street.
Here are some tips for making your own on a budget.
SUGAR AND SPICE: Adding spices to your hot chocolate will take it to a new level. For a warming flavour try a sprinkling of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or star anise, chilli or cayenne pepper can also spice things up.
You only need a tiny sprinkle, so don’t go overboard and overwhelm the delicious, sweet taste.
DARK AND DELICIOUS: Use a bar of chocolate for a decadent taste. Don’t go below 40 per cent cocoa solids.
For four cups, break 100g of the chocolate into equal pieces and then warm in a pan with around 600ml of milk and a small pot of double cream (around 140ml). Heat while gently whisking until it is about to boil, then take it off the heat.
SPLASH OR DASH: For a tasty treat for grown-ups, add a dash of alcohol to your chocolate drink. Rum, brandy, Irish cream and whisky are all winners.
Add a spoonful at a time to make sure you get the perfect chocolate and booze balance.
GLOBAL TASTES: For a French-style hot chocolate drink, add double cream and some sugar to your chocolate and milk mixture as it warms. You can introduce a dash of coffee or espresso powder if you like the taste. Top with thick, whipped cream and tasty chocolate shavings.
If you fancy a Mexican-style treat, add a pinch of chilli powder, vanilla extract and cinnamon to your saucepan. To ensure the perfect sweetness, use unsweetened cocoa powder and add sugar to your own taste.
STIR IT UP: For a special twist, add a spoonful of your favourite sweet spread or sauce. You could use peanut butter, Biscoff spread, Nutella or even a generous swirl of maple syrup.
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