Maybe one of the most misunderstood drinks has to be hot chocolate. Although it is associated with being a bedtime drink it is a remarkable comfort while reading a good novel on a cold afternoon in May or June (have had lots of those lately). The problem is that an acceptable hot chocolate substitute is usually obtained from a packet mix – this is perfectly good, but is no substitute for the real thing made with good quality cocoa and good quality chocolate. I will share with you my favourite hot chocolate recipe (a secret recipe handed down from my great aunt Betty). This is not a recipe for dieters …

 

BestCuppa’s Luxurious Hot Chocolate (courtesy of Great Aunt Betty)

 

Ingredients

 

1 pint of full cream milk

 

3 ounces of 72% cocoa solids chocolate

 

4 tablespoons of cocoa powder

 

4 tablespoons of brown sugar (or to taste)

 

1 glug of brandy or rum (omit if abstaining)

 

Optional additions: a little pinch of cinnamon or chilli (the chilli was added to great aunty Bets recipe as chilli hadn’t been invented in her day) and 2 fl oz of single cream

 

Serves 2

 

Gently heat the milk and then break up the chocolate into the heated milk (small pieces). Add the cocoa powder and then whisk while still gently heating until all solids have been incorporated. While still simmering, but not boiling, add the sugar and alcohol and then any additional flavourings.

 

Finally pour the mixture carefully into two tall mugs. Stir with a long spoon (add marshmallows if you like – I like blue marshmallows, but they are difficult to find) and then enjoy piping hot. For an even more luxurious treat, dip a Caprice praline filled biscuit or Cigarette Russes biscuit.

 

Do you like this recipe? Do you have a better recipe for hot chocolate? Bestcuppaintown has just added a ‘Recipes’ page to our website. If you would like us to include your recipes for cakes, beverages, recipes that include tea and coffee as ingredients, and any other recipe for an item that would conceivably be served in a café (even your favourite sandwich or baguette), then please email us. We’ll include your name and email address with every recipe we list.