Orange Hot Chocolate
Orange hot chocolate gives everyone's favorite comforting beverage a gourmet upgrade! It’s just as rich, creamy, and indulgent as the traditional version, with a citrusy twist.
Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 strips orange peel (see note 1)
- 1 ounce dark chocolate (see note 2)
Optional toppings:
- whipped cream, shaved chocolate, orange zest
Instructions
- Combine milk, sugar, orange peel in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Heat the mixture, stirring frequently, until the milk is steaming but not boiling, between 170 to 180°F.1 cup whole milk, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, 2 to 3 strips orange peel
- While the milk is heating, break the chocolate into very small pieces, or use a sharp knife to finely chop the chocolate.1 ounce dark chocolate
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, and remove the orange peel. Add the chopped chocolate, let set for 15 to 20 seconds, and then whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and incorporated into the milk.
- Pour into a heat-proof mug and serve immediately topped with whipped cream, shaved chocolate and orange zest, if desired. (If you serve the hot chocolate in a clear glass mug, you may notice it develops a darker layer on top as it cools. This is normal and won't affect the flavor.)
Video
Notes
- Orange peel: Use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove the orange peel, trying to get as little of the white part (pith) as possible. The strips should be about 1 inch wide and 2 ½ inches long, but doesn't have to be exact. The orange flavor is quite subtle with 2 strips; if you prefer more orange flavor, increase the amount to 3 strips, or even more. If you'd rather not add the orange, that's perfectly acceptable, too!
- Chocolate: We like to use 72% Ghiradelli chocolate bars. Two squares equals about 1 ounce. If you enjoy sweeter hot chocolate, use 60% chocolate bars (1 ounce or 2 squares).
- Milk: You can easily substitute different types of milk. I prefer whole milk for the creamiest hot chocolate; however, 2% or low-fat milk will work just fine. You can also use nondairy milk, such as oat or almond milk (unsweetened).
- Variations: It's easy to make your own specialty version of this recipe! Use white chocolate instead of dark chocolate. Add a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, or ginger with the chocolate. Try adding a shot of espresso for a mocha. To make spiked hot chocolate, add an orange liqueur such as triple sec, Grand Marnier, or Cointreau.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 573mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 415IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 324mg | Iron: 3mg
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