Trying to find the perfect drink to share with your loved ones? Perhaps you might enjoy a steaming cup of your favorite hot chocolate prepared with love from a family member’s secret recipe. Hot chocolate has been a cultural and seasonal staple for centuries, and with good reason: it’s a delightful cup of sweet, creamy comfort. The classic drink calls for cocoa, milk, and sugar; however, as times and techniques change hot chocolate recipes have inevitably become more creative. With today’s modern recipes that incorporate vegan ingredients, sugar substitutes, and exotic spices, there’s chocolate flavor to please every palate!
Are you looking for natural flavor inspiration? Try one (or all) of these innovative hot chocolate recipes!
Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate
Bourbon flavor enriches this holiday beverage with aromatic notes of oak, spice, and molasses. Whipped cream and a caramel drizzle tie these natural flavors together. Whether relaxing at home or entertaining dinner guests, bourbon flavored hot chocolate is a great choice for making spirits bright!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ oz bourbon
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, add milk, cornstarch, and cocoa powder together. Whisk well until thoroughly combined.
- Heat on medium-high and add the brown sugar, salt, and chocolate. Stir frequently until the mixture is steaming hot and the chocolate is completely melted.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla and bourbon.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and top with whipped cream and caramel.
- Serve immediately.
Yield: 1 serving
Source- A Cookie Named Desire
Rich Mexican Hot Chocolate
Did you know that the first chocolate beverage was created by the Maya people over 2,500 years ago? Traditional Mexican hot chocolate combines ingredients such as chili peppers and honey with chocolate to create a peppery and tangy sweet flavor. With its quick and easy preparation, Mexican hot chocolate is a convenient choice for whipping up on busy mornings or as a delightful dinner aperitif.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons plus, 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or 2 cinnamon sticks, lightly crushed
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Generous pinch of cayenne pepper or hot chili powder (optional)
- 3 ½ ounces of chopped dark chocolate, such as Valrhona 70%
- Whipped cream, to serve (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine the milk, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne or chili powder (if using) in a medium pot. Heat over medium heat until simmering. Reduce the heat a little and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes to bloom the cinnamon and spices.
- Add the chopped chocolate. Cook, whisking, until the chocolate is fully melted and emulsified. Taste for sweetness and spice.
- If using cinnamon sticks, strain the liquid through a mesh sieve into cups. If not using cinnamon sticks, pour the Mexican hot chocolate directly into mugs.
- Serve warm with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, and perhaps a garnish of a few chocolate shavings or additional cinnamon sticks.
Yield: 2-3 servings
Source- Unpeeled
El Submarino– Argentinian Hot Chocolate
Created in Buenos Aires, Argentina but enjoyed all over the world, “El Submarino” is as theatrical as it is tasty. The recipe gets its name (and entertainment) by inviting the drinker to dunk a chunk of their favorite chocolate into a steaming cup of milk. As the chocolate slowly melts in the hot liquid, it submerges like a submarine. The high temperature of the milk helps amplify the natural flavors of chocolate and vanilla extract, enhancing the overall hot chocolate experience.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups whole milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 ounce bar of good quality dark chocolate broken into 1 ounce pieces
Instructions:
- Pour milk into a saucepan.
- Stir in the sugar and vanilla.
- Heat the milk slowly over low heat until it is just about to boil. Do not let it boil.
- Remove from the heat and divide the milk into 4 mugs.
- Serve each mug with a piece of chocolate.
Yield: 4 servings
Source- The Spruce Eats
Creamy Vegan Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
This plant-based hot chocolate is so rich and flavorful, you’ll have a hard time convincing friends and family that it’s dairy free. Give veganism a try with this modern take on a winter seasonal beverage. This gingerbread hot chocolate layers fragrant spice notes of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg over a creamy and thick cashew milk base to deliver a dairy-free beverage no one can resist.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup raw cashew nuts (soaked)
- 2 ½ tablespoons of cocoa or cacao powder
- 5 medjool dates pitted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Pinch salt
- 2 cups of water
Instructions:
- Soak the cashew nuts in enough boiling water to cover for at least an hour (or in cold water overnight). Drain well and rinse.
- Place soaked cashews in a blender with the rest of the ingredients and blend well until very smooth.
- Pour into a pan and heat gently while stirring until it reaches the required temperature then serve. Top with coconut whipped cream and chocolate if you like.
Yield: 2 servings
Source- Domestic Gothess
Matcha Honey Hot Chocolate w/ Toasted Marshmallows
Ready for something different? This tea-based recipe is a fun alternative to a classic hot cocoa beverage. Matcha delivered a naturally sweet nuttiness backed by a hint of tannic bitterness that works well with the nuanced and sweet white chocolate and honey flavor. The toasted marshmallows add a bittersweet caramelized touch. Matcha tea’s similarity in profile to cacao– sweet, savory, and bitter with subtle roasted notes– makes it a great match for a more delicate profile of white chocolate flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk (any kind)
- ½ cup white chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon matcha
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Optional: toasted marshmallows
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, bring milk to a simmer over medium-low heat. Take off heat and whisk or stir in chopped white chocolate.
- Sift in matcha, honey, and salt until well combined.
- Pour matcha hot chocolate into two mugs and if you would like, top with toasted pink marshmallows.
Yield: 2 servings
Source- Oh How Civilized
Whether you prefer a bitter, spicy kick or a sweet and mellow taste profile, we have you covered! Blue Pacific Flavors understands and loves the many ways to create hot chocolate drinks.
Blue Pacific Flavors
Whether you prefer a bitter, spicy kick or a sweet and mellow taste profile, we have you covered! Blue Pacific Flavors understands and loves the many creative ways to create hot chocolate drinks. We offer natural and organic chocolate options in both liquid and powder forms. From milk, dark, and white chocolate to cocoa flavors, we have a natural flavor specific to your application. Are you short on vanilla extract? We also offer Madagascar and Tanzania Kilimanjaro vanilla extracts, perfect to satisfy a sweet craving.
Contact us to request a sample of some of the best natural flavors! May you have a lovely and sweet year. Cheers!
