The Best Hot Chocolate Recipe

Okay, I know it’s a BIG claim, but this is the best hot chocolate recipe I have ever tasted, so if you trust me, then TRUST me that this recipe is absolutely delicious. Bring the coziness into your festivities with this delicious, lux, and THICK hot chocolate that will sweeten up the darkest of days! ❄️

Hot chocolate is a universally loved drink. No matter which part of the world you go to, you will always find some variation of hot chocolate on the menu. And like most people, I absolutely love it.

There is something so cozy about a warm cup of chocolatey goodness, it reminds me of the winter days when my mom would bring me a hot cup of chocolate milk while I relaxed in the blankets watching my favorite cartoons. There is truly nothing as nostalgic as a cup of hot chocolate.

Now, I have drank my fair share of hot chocolates in many parts of the world, and one thing that truly disappoints me is when it ends up tasting exactly like the chocolate milk we drank as kids. I mean, don’t get me wrong, that does taste delicious, but that’s not what hot chocolate is meant to be.

Hot chocolate is supposed to be rich, indulgent, and so chocolatey and thick that it coats the insides of your mouth. A good cup should be so lux and indulgent that you feel like taking a huge nap after drinking it. That’s what defines a good hot chocolate for me, so when I see literal chocolate milk labeled as “hot chocolate”, it pinches my nerves.

On the other hand, I also don’t enjoy hot chocolate that is so thick that it almost resembles chocolate ganache. While I haven’t yet tried the world-famous one from Paris, I have tried French hot chocolate from other places, and although it is delicious, I find it a little TOO rich. The consistency feels almost sauce-like after a few sips, you are already done.

For me, the perfect cup of hot chocolate is one that isn’t milky but isn’t too thick, either. My sweet spot is the balance of rich yet light, does that make sense? I’ve personally not been able to find the perfect balance of the two anywhere, except for the AMAZING cup of salted caramel Hot Chocolate I tried from Hotel Chocolat in Scotland…I still dream about that cup to date.

Unfortunately, I no longer live in the UK to be able to drink one of those anymore, so I thought, why not create the perfect cup of hot chocolate right here at home? And after a few tries, I present to you the best hot chocolate recipe, not too thick, not too milky.

How does this one have a perfect balance, you ask?

Well, you see, usually, the hot chocolate that is served in regular cafes (the milky kind) is made only with cocoa powder or some sort of powdered hot chocolate mix. This makes the hot chocolate dull and lacking in chocolate flavor. The thick kind, however, uses only pure melted chocolate which makes it super rich and indulgent, almost like a ganache.

In this hot chocolate, I have used both cocoa powder AND melted chocolate in a balanced amount that results in the right amount of thickness and chocolatey-ness, making it rich enough without becoming over-indulgent. Plus, I have subbed some of the milk for heavy cream to make it more luxurious and smooth. It’s really a win-win situation.

I have also added two secret ingredients which I think really take this hot chocolate from the home level to the cafe level – a pinch of coffee and a pinch of salt. Both coffee and salt helps bring out the chocolate’s flavors and make it more pronounced and flavorful.

Oh, and it could not get easier. It’s just a matter of heating the milk, cream, cocoa, coffee, and salt in a pan, and pouring it on top of the chocolate to melt and mix it together. 5 mins and you’ll have a luxurious cup of hot chocolate ready for your next Harry Potter marathon 😉.

PS: Looking for more festive-friendly dessert recipes? Check out this Red Velvet Molten Lava Cake Recipe! I am sure you will love it!

Now before we get to the recipe, here is a VERY important point to help you make a good cup of hot chocolate – use high-quality chocolate.

As chocolate is the main flavor component, it’s important to use chocolate that is authentic and flavorful, none of the processed Hershey’s stuff, you need real, high cocoa content chocolate like Lindt or Ghirardelli. I personally prefer using Callebaut baking callets for everything because they taste absolutely delicious and are very high-quality.

Also, I have used a mix of milk and dark chocolate for this recipe, however, you can choose to use only milk for a sweeter hot chocolate or only dark for a stronger one as per your preference.

So, are we ready to get started? Let’s go!

PS: I always measure ingredients in grams, never in cups. Using a measuring scale is the only way to bake accurately. Cups are very unreliable and can give different measurements, so I would suggest you buy a measuring scale before you start baking! If you can’t get your hands on one, you can use the online tools for converting grams into cups, however, I do not guarantee their accuracy.

PPS: if you notice a * after any word, it means that there are additional tips about it after the recipe

I can’t wait to see you guys recreate this for the festive season! If you give this recipe a try, don’t forget to let me know how you liked it in the comments, and of course, share it with me on Instagram!

Until next time!