A Festive Twist on Classic Hot Chocolate
Looking to spice up your holiday treats? BBC Good Food offers a seasonal take on the traditional hot chocolate with a gingery twist.
Charlie Kennedy
- 2023-12-29
- Updated 12:20 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - The holiday season is a time for warmth, and what better way to indulge than with a steaming mug of spiced hot chocolate? Based on a BBC Good Food recommendation, this alternative version incorporates the zest of the festive season into a classic comfort drink. The ingredients to create this winter warmer consist of everyday kitchen staples and a dash of seasonal spice. The required list includes 150 ml of milk, a generous pour of 50 ml cream, a measure of dark muscovado sugar ranging from ¼ to ½ teaspoon depending on taste, and zest from half an orange for a citrusy kick. To deepen the flavors, a pinch each of ground ginger and cinnamon are added, along with one clove to infuse a hint of aromatic spice. A final touch of two drops of vanilla extract and 50g of dark chocolate, finely chopped, ensures a rich and velvety base.
Step-by-Step Preparation
This hearty beverage begins by combining the milk, cream, the specified amount of sugar, fragrant orange zest, and the earmarked spices into a pot. This mixture is then gently brought to a low-heat simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld and the liquid to become infused with the festive flavors. Following this, the concoction is taken off the heat and passed through a sieve. This step is crucial as it removes the clove and any bits of orange zest, leaving behind a smooth mixture ready for the final steps.
In the same pot, two drops of vanilla are introduced to the sieved liquid, followed promptly by the inclusion of the dark chocolate. This is the moment when the drink transforms as the chocolate melts into the mixture, creating an indulgently rich hot chocolate. If the temperature needs adjusting, a gentle reheat on low intensity is permissible. Once it reaches the perfect warmth, the hot chocolate is ready to be poured into a mug designed to withstand heat.
Crowd-Pleasing Garnishes
To add a flourish to the beverage, a dollop of whipped cream can crown the hot chocolate, followed by a sprinkling of crushed ginger biscuit for texture and extra flavor. This garnish not only enhances the visual appeal but also complements the beverage's gingery profile, offering a treat that's as delightful to the palate as it is to the eye. The reimagined festive hot chocolate is an easy and inviting way to welcome the holiday cheer and warm up the winter days.
