Description
Creamy Orange Hot Chocolate delivers a luxurious twist on classic winter comfort. Rich Belgian chocolate mingles with zesty orange notes, creating a smooth, warming beverage perfect for chilly afternoons when you crave something extraordinary.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- ¼ cup dark chocolate (approximately 2 ounces/56 grams), chopped
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Sweeteners:
- 1 tablespoon cane sugar
Flavor Enhancers:
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2–3 orange peel rinds
Instructions
- Combine dark chocolate and almond milk in a medium saucepan, gently heating over medium temperature while continuously whisking to ensure smooth melting and prevent scorching.
- Lower the heat once chocolate dissolves completely, incorporating cocoa powder, cane sugar, vanilla extract, fresh orange juice, and fragrant orange peel rinds into the liquid mixture.
- Allow the aromatic blend to simmer quietly, stirring periodically to develop depth of flavor and achieve optimal temperature for approximately 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove orange peel rinds from the velvety chocolate liquid, discarding them to maintain a pure, silky texture.
- Transfer the luxurious orange-infused hot chocolate into warmed ceramic mugs, creating an inviting beverage presentation.
- Enhance the drink’s indulgence by garnishing with optional toppings like pillowy whipped cream or delicate chocolate shavings for an extra layer of decadence.
Notes
- Gently melt dark chocolate and almond milk to create a smooth, creamy base for this luxurious winter beverage.
- Infuse the hot chocolate with bright, zesty orange flavors by adding fresh orange juice and aromatic orange peel rinds during simmering.
- Low and slow cooking allows the ingredients to blend perfectly, developing a rich, complex taste that balances chocolate’s depth with citrusy notes.
- Remove orange peels before serving to ensure a silky-smooth texture and prevent any bitter undertones.
- Elevate the drink with optional toppings like fluffy whipped cream or decadent chocolate shavings for an extra indulgent treat.
- Best enjoyed immediately while hot, this orange hot chocolate offers a delightful twist on classic winter comfort drinks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg