Hot chocolate recipe: classic, gourmet, or flavored

Homemade hot chocolate: thick cornstarch-free recipe

At Venchi, we know just how the perfect hot chocolate should be made: thick and cornstarch free. This is why we’ve written a recipe for making a soft, silky drink with a truly intense flavor!

 

Difficulty: easy

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients for one cup

• 2 level tablespoons Venchi hot chocolate mix

• 1 cup milk

 

How to make hot chocolate

• Firstly, combine the hot chocolate mix and milk in a small saucepan, stirring together with a wooden spoon.

• Put the saucepan on the heat and simmer for 5/6 minutes, stirring constantly.

• Once you’ve achieved your desired consistency, pour the hot chocolate into a cup and top as desired with a dusting of cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa.

Venchi hot chocolate mixes are gluten free, lactose free, and also suitable for vegans: all you need to do is substitute the milk for a plant-based drink of your choice. The result? A thick and delicious vegan hot chocolate!

 

Hot chocolate with extra chocolate

Equally simple and delicious, this alternative recipe for hot chocolate with cocoa and chocolate uses additional cornstarch for a thick and silky consistency.

 

Difficulty: easy

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients for one cup

• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa

• 2.1oz dark or white chocolate

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 cup milk

• granulated sugar to taste

 

How to make hot chocolate with white or dark chocolate

• Firstly, melt the white or dark chocolate in a bain-marie, keeping it over a very low heat and stirring constantly.

• Pour the milk into another small saucepan and add the cornstarch and unsweetened cocoa, both carefully sifted. Add sugar to taste and turn on the heat, mixing vigorously with a whisk to get rid of any lumps.

• Once the mixture has come to the boil, turn the heat off and add the melted chocolate from the bain-marie, stirring carefully to combine.

• Pour the hot chocolate into a cup and top as desired.

If the mixture is too liquid, continue heating it for an extra couple of minutes maximum after adding the melted chocolate: this should be enough time to achieve your desired consistency. If you decide to make a hot chocolate with white chocolate, we recommend you don’t add any sugar to enjoy its natural sweetness as much as possible!

 

Flavored hot chocolate

If you love to experiment, you’ll definitely appreciate our gourmet hot chocolate ideas, inspired by delectable chocolate pairings with spices and liqueurs: perfect for spending a delicious afternoon together with your guests!

 

Spiced hot chocolate: chili, cinnamon, or vanilla

Spices have always been a kitchen essential, bringing unique flavors and a special touch to any dish. Making flavored hot chocolate is amazingly simple: all you need to do is add half a teaspoon of spice to the other powders (cocoa and cornstarch) and proceed with the remaining steps of the recipe.

• For chili hot chocolate, we recommend using dark chocolate and topping with a generous sprinkling of unsweetened cocoa for those who love bold flavors.

• For cinnamon hot chocolate, you can substitute cinnamon powder for a whole cinnamon stick, leaving it to infuse until ready to serve for an even more intense taste!

• Are your guests especially picky? Sweeten them up with vanilla-flavored hot chocolate, or surprise them with a ginger and white hot chocolate!

 

Hot chocolate with rum or Baileys

While hot chocolate is generally enjoyed as an afternoon treat, it can be a delicious idea for after-dinner drinks when combined with spirits and liqueurs. One of the most popular variations is hot chocolate with rum. To make it, all you need to do is add 1 teaspoon of rum to each cup at the end. If you’ve used extra-dark chocolate, we recommend choosing Cuban rum for added softness. If you’ve used white chocolate, opt for a Caribbean rum for its typically far sweeter notes.

If you’re looking for an extra dose of indulgence, there’s no question about it: go for hot chocolate with Baileys, made with dark chocolate and topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream!