- Avarna Jain,
Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media
Warm Up Your Winter Date Nights With These Hot Chocolate Recipes
Give this holiday favourite treat a revamp this winter…
Picture this: you’re curled up on the couch with your boo with your fuzzy socks on, The Holiday playing on the TV and a warm cup of hot chocolate in your hands. With Winter officially making its presence known (Hello, sweater weather!), there’s no time like the present to make this fantasy into a reality.
Before you cue up your favourite winter-themed movie on your TV screen for your next date night, take a look at these revamped hot chocolate recipes that are as delicious as they’re easy to whip up.
From classic decadent flavours (with a twist, of course) to healthy alternatives for those who want to be mindful about their indulgences, there’s something for everyone! Take a look…
Hot Chocolate Recipes To Try This Winter
Hazelnut Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate By Chef Ganesh Patil, of The Westin Goa
Image Credit: The Westin Goa
Health enthusiasts and vegans, this one is for you. It’s made of almond milk and does not contain any processed sugar, flavours or colours. Chef Ganesh Patil, the curator of the drink calls this “a perfect recipe that ticks off all the checkboxes of health and taste, without compromising on any. For people who are lactose intolerant, this fits the bill”.
Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon hazelnut extract
1 tablespoon honey or natural sweetener (optional)
Method
1. Heat the almond milk over medium heat in a small saucepan.
2. whisk together the cocoa powder, salt, and hazelnut extract in a separate bowl.
3. Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the hot milk, stirring constantly.
4. If desired, add honey or natural sweetener to taste.
Cinnamon Charm by Chef Ramachandran Ganesan, ITC Maurya, Delhi
Image Credit: ITC Maurya, Delhi
Chef Ramachandran Ganesan recommends this recipe for all those who love to experiment in the kitchen. “Chocolate is one such ingredient that pairs well with almost all spices. Here we have used cinnamon because of the raw, woody and earthy aroma that goes well along with chocolate,” he said, “Also, cinnamon is a spice that is sharp and sweet both at once, so its sharpness balances the sweetness of chocolate.”
Ingredients
2 cups (500 ml) milk (as per choice)
1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream (optional for richness)
1/4 cup (100 g) 64% chopped dark chocolate
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
½ tsp Cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish.
1 tsp choco nibs for garnish
Method:
·In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat.
Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
First, take all the dry ingredients and mix them well.
Whisk in the cocoa mixture once the milk is warm until smooth and well combined.
Stir in the chopped chocolate or chips and continue stirring until melted and smooth.
Stir in the vanilla extract and heavy cream (if using) for extra richness.
Pour into mugs, add a pinch of cinnamon powder and choco nibs for garnish.
The OTT Indulgence by Chef Lalit Chunara, Blabber All Day, Mumbai
Image Credit: Blabber All Day, Mumbai
“This recipe is a must-try for those who wish to experience the bittersweet taste of chocolate and do not want their tongue to feel overtly sweet,” says Chef Lalit Chunara. It contains the richness of cream, and the bitterness of unrefined cocoa powder blended with the smoothness of luxury dark chocolate.
Ingredients:
70 ml milk( of any choice)
65gm dark chocolate
35ml Fresh Almond Cream (as per choice)
1 Shot Whipped cream (optional)
2gm Unrefined Cocoa pwd
Method
Heat the milk over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling.
In a small bowl, add cocoa powder, fresh cream and warm milk to form a smooth paste.
Pour the cocoa mixture into the saucepan with the remaining milk, whisking constantly to combine.
Stir in the chopped chocolate and continue whisking until it melts completely and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream
Serve hot.
The Double Delight by Chef Sachin Rathore, JW Marriott Aerocity, New Delhi
Image credit: JW Marriott, New Delhi, Aerocity
“The fusion of sweet dark chocolate and unrefined cocoa powder gives a bitter-sweet taste without any of the taste being prominent, the topping of fluffy, toasted marshmallows allows the chocolate to soak its flavours and gives out a multi-sensory experience,” says Chef Sachin Rathore.
Ingredients
500 ml milk (as per choice)
30gm unrefined cocoa powder
30gm honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
100gm unsweetened dark chocolate
10 gm marshmallows (optional)
Method
Heat the milk over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling.
In a small bowl, slowly stir the cocoa powder and the milk until no lumps remain.
Take a double boiler and stir the chopped dark chocolate slowly.
Allow it to melt and add a pinch of vanilla extract.
Now slowly add the milk to the mixture and give it a nice stir.
Top it with a few marshmallows and chilli flakes for extra flavour.
The Cozy Comfort by Guneet Singh, Food and Beverage Manager, Hyatt Centric, Mumbai
Image credit: Hyatt Centric, Juhu, Mumbai
This hot chocolate might have a few extra steps but the results are deliciously decadent and totally worth it. This is why it’s creator Guneet Singh simply calls it the “Perfect drink for the cold weather”.
Ingredients
( For the Ganache)
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons coconut sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
( For the Hot Chocolate)
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Method
( For the Ganache)
In a small saucepan, combine milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. Heat over low to medium heat while stirring constantly until smooth and thickened (about 2-3 minutes).
If you like a richer ganache, stir in butter for extra creaminess.
Set aside.
(For the Hot Chocolate)
In another saucepan, heat milk over medium heat.
Add the cocoa powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt, whisking until fully dissolved and the milk is hot (but not boiling).
Stir in the vanilla extract.
(Assemble the Drink)
Pour the hot chocolate into a mug.
Stir in a spoonful of your homemade ganache, mixing until smooth.
Add more ganache if you like it extra rich!
Serve topped with marshmallows if you like.
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