Description
A cozy and citrusy twist on classic hot chocolate, this Orange Hot Chocolate blends rich dark chocolate with fragrant orange zest and juice for a comforting and flavorful drink perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot Chocolate:
- 1 orange
- 1 ¾ cups (420 ml) whole milk
- 1.75 oz (50 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 2 teaspoons caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Garnish:
- Orange zest
- Cocoa powder
- Orange slices
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Orange Peel and Juice: Peel the orange carefully using a vegetable peeler, avoiding the white pith to prevent bitterness, and add the peel to the milk for infusing. Then cut the peeled orange in half, squeeze out the juice, and reserve 2 tablespoons for later use.
- Infuse the Milk: Add the whole milk and the squeezed orange halves or peel into a pot. Heat gently on low and bring to a simmer, then remove the pot from the stove. Cover and let it rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the orange flavor to infuse into the milk.
- Remove Orange Solids: Take out the infused orange halves or peel from the milk and return the pot to the stove.
- Add Chocolate and Spices: Add the chopped chocolate, cinnamon powder, caster sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder to the infused milk. Whisk continuously until all ingredients are combined.
- Melt and Heat the Mixture: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring often, until the chocolate fully melts and the mixture is smooth. Be careful not to let it boil to avoid curdling.
- Finish with Orange Juice: Lower the heat and stir in the fresh orange juice reserved earlier. This step prevents curdling by adding the acidic juice last. Cook gently for 1 minute on low heat.
- Serve and Garnish: Pour the hot chocolate into mugs. Garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder, orange zest, a fresh orange slice, and optionally whipped cream. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- When using squeezed orange halves instead of peel, ensure all juice is fully pressed out with minimal white pith to avoid bitterness and curdling.
- Do not add orange juice at the start to prevent milk curdling.
- Store-bought fresh orange juice or a small amount of orange extract can be used as substitutes; start with a small quantity of orange extract as it can overpower the drink.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 240 ml)
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
