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Home Recipes by Type Beverages

Orange Hot Chocolate Recipe – Easy!

4.54
/5
15 mins
15 Comments
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 01/19/2015Updated: 06/14/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Orange Hot Chocolate Recipe - Get it on RachelCooks.com

This orange hot chocolate recipe is easy to make – you’ll be sipping flavorful, rich, creamy hot chocolate in less than 15 minutes.

Front view of clear glass mug containing hot chocolate garnished with whipped cream, and orange zest, and placed on a folded black napkin.

January – it doesn’t have to be all about salads. There is nothing better, NOTHING better than warming up with some hot chocolate after being out in the snow. Hot chocolate is a perfect beverage following snowman building and snow angel making.

Maybe you just spent an hour shoveling heavy snow. It might be because our house is still fairly new to us or maybe it’s the west Michigan girl in me, but I really enjoy shoveling. You can see the work you’ve done and as a bonus, it’s a great workout. And you can go inside and warm up with hot chocolate. 

I have a small mug, a little bigger than an espresso mug, that E drinks cocoa out of. It’s such a special treat and she just glows and smiles ear-to-ear when she gets to enjoy a cup of cocoa with her mom and dad.

Overhead of hot chocolate garnished with whipped cream, cocoa powder, and orange zest.

About this Orange Hot Chocolate

We’re not talking about a packet of powder that you open up and mix with water here. Oh no no. This is the good stuff. Creamy milk, slowly warmed and then poured over high-quality dark chocolate. If you’re going to treat yourself to hot cocoa, make it worth it.

This particular hot chocolate is made extra special thanks to a few strips of orange peel. The orange and chocolate combination works so well together. The orange brightens things up just enough to prevent this beverage from feeling too rich.

I add a bit of powdered sugar to my cocoa. Depending on the type of chocolate you use and how sweet you like your cocoa, you may be able to omit the sugar … or you might want to increase it a touch. You can always add more but you can’t remove it, so start with a small amount and work your way up from there according to your tastes.

Front view of hot cocoa with black background.

Stay warm…and enjoy!

Loving this orange hot chocolate?

Looking for more creamy drinks to keep you warm all winter long? Try:

 

  • Caramel cappuccino mix
  • Cardamom-vanilla tea latte
  • Stout hot chocolate
  • Easy hot chocolate (with lactose-free ideas)
  • Ginger spiced hot chocolate
  • Hot white Russian recipe
  • Pop Rocks Hot Cocoa Bombs — if you’ve heard all the buzz, you’ll want to try these hot cocoa bombs!
  • or check out this list of FIFTY hot chocolate recipes!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Front view of hot chocolate in clear glass mug, garnished with whipped cream, and orange zest.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Orange Hot Chocolate Recipe

4.54 from 15 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Print Rate Recipe
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This orange hot chocolate recipe is easy to make – you’ll be sipping flavorful, rich, creamy hot chocolate in less than 15 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • 2-3 strips of orange peel (try to get as little of the white part of the orange as possible
  • 1 ounce dark chocolate (I used 72%)
  • Optional toppings: whipped cream, shaved chocolate, orange zest

Instructions

  • Combine milk, sugar, orange peel in a small sauce pan and place over medium heat.
  • In a small bowl break the chocolate up into small pieces.
  • Stir milk frequently and heat until hot but not boiling. Pour hot milk over chocolate and stir until chocolate is melted.
  • Serve topped with whipped cream, shaved chocolate and orange zest.

Notes

Note: If chocolate does not melt well (if it seizes), you can save it by blending it in a blender.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 194kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 78mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
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**Disclosure: I am thrilled to be in an ongoing partnership with United Dairy Industry of Michigan.  I have been compensated by UDIM for my time to develop this orange hot chocolate recipe. All opinions are as always, my own. Find out more about why Milk Means More on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.
Orange Hot Chocolate Recipe - Get it on RachelCooks.com
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  1. Allison - Celebrating Sweets says

    December 7, 2015 at 7:51 am

    This sounds fabulous, Rachel! I love the combo of chocolate and orange. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  2. Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says

    January 20, 2015 at 10:16 am

    I love the bit of citrus with the warm, chocolaty goodness!

    Reply
  3. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

    January 19, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    Yum, what a fan twist on hot chocolate :)

    Reply
  4. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    January 19, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    Sounds & looks perfect! I have some remaining oranges in the backyard – need to whip this up!

    Reply
  5. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says

    January 19, 2015 at 11:06 am

    This is gorgeous! That fresh orange zest is such a great touch!

    Reply
  6. Amy @Very Culinary says

    January 19, 2015 at 10:43 am

    YES. 1,000x yes.

    Reply
  7. Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says

    January 19, 2015 at 10:33 am

    My daughter wouldn’t touch hot chocolate with a 10-foot pole until I finally tried making a super-rich variety with melted chocolate and a little heavy whipping cream! Now she loves it – but when I suggested making it when it *wasn’t* snowing she did not approve. It can only be consumed after being outside in the snow. Good rule, I guess! :) This version looks fabulous – love orange and chocolate together. So cozy.

    Reply
  8. denise says

    January 19, 2015 at 10:25 am

    sounds good!

    Reply
  9. Deborah says

    January 19, 2015 at 10:24 am

    I think hot chocolate is one of my kids’ favorite things about winter. I can’t wait to make this for them!!

    Reply
  10. Lauren says

    January 19, 2015 at 9:59 am

    That is gorgeous! And I know just the person who would love this. Thanks Rachel :)

    Reply
  11. Michele @ Flavor Mosaic says

    January 19, 2015 at 8:53 am

    That warm, chocolatey deliciousness is perfect on a cold winter day. Pass me a glass please!

    Reply
  12. Liz+@+The+Lemon+Bowl says

    January 19, 2015 at 8:51 am

    Love the bright citrus in this!

    Reply
  13. Melanie | Melanie Makes says

    January 19, 2015 at 8:34 am

    This looks perfect for a day off from school like today, Rachel!

    Reply
  14. Sues says

    January 19, 2015 at 7:44 am

    All I want right now is a giant mug of this (and my couch with a blanket)!

    Reply
  15. Liz says

    January 19, 2015 at 6:32 am

    Swooning—so rich and decadent! Perfect for a mid January warm up from the inside out :)

    Reply

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