Delicious hot chocolate made from cocoa powder (2 recipes, at home)

From the history of chocolate drink

In the homeland of the chocolate tree or cocoa in the subtropics of South America, a traditional drink has been prepared from the fruits of this plant for a long time. It is done something like this: cocoa beans (fruit grains) were kneaded, honey was added, diluted with water, and sometimes agave juice and spices were added. This drink was called “chocolate” and was drunk cold. It was this that General Cortes brought to Europe during the Spanish colonization. There they began to transform the recipe: sugar was added instead of honey, and milk was added to make the drink softer. People have also noticed that a hot drink gives a richer taste. Thus, at the beginning of the 17th century, the era of modern hot chocolate was born.

But such a chocolate drink was very expensive. Entrepreneurs began experimenting with ground cocoa beans. As a result, by the beginning of the 19th century, a Dutch chemist proposed a technology for pressing ground chocolate paste. The result was cocoa butter and dry cake, which they began to grind into cocoa powder. Cocoa butter still made a rather expensive drink, but budget cocoa could be made from powder. It was this invention that prompted the emergence of solid chocolate, where cocoa powder was mixed with sugar and cocoa butter was added. The more grated cocoa, the more bitter the taste and less melting the chocolate. However, the more butter, the more expensive the finished product, and the easier it melts.

Traditional recipe

There are a great many recipes for hot chocolate made from cocoa powder, but the traditional classic drink is rightfully considered one of the best. You only need a few ingredients and it won't take more than 20 minutes to prepare.

Before you make delicious and healthy hot chocolate at home, you need to collect the necessary products:

• 27 g cocoa powder;
• 36 g granulated sugar;
• 9 g vanilla sugar;
• 400 ml milk.

The cooking technology is extremely simple.

1. The milk should be heated on the stove, but not boiled.
2. In a separate container, combine all other ingredients and mix thoroughly.
3. Gradually add the mixture to the milk, stirring continuously.

When the consistency becomes smooth and all the crystals have dissolved, the hot chocolate can be poured into cups. Many people use marshmallows for decoration. On average, the entire process takes 10–15 minutes. As the liquid cools, it will become slightly thicker. For a richer taste, you can add a little more cocoa powder.

Classic hot chocolate recipe

Now, after reading the history of the drink, you already understand that real hot chocolate is made from crushed cocoa beans. But buying them in a regular store is unrealistic. Therefore, solid chocolate bars would be a suitable alternative. Which one to choose is up to you. Be guided by your own taste. If you do manage to buy cocoa beans, you can grind them in a meat grinder. A blender and coffee grinder will not work as the beans are too hard and large for them. In all recipes we will use regular dark chocolate - this is the simplest and most delicious option. If you take cocoa paste, then add it in the same proportions.

• Chocolate – 100 gr;
• Milk – 100 ml;
• Cream – 30 ml;
• Sugar - to taste;
• Whipped cream or marshmallows for decoration.

Bring the milk to a hot state and add the chocolate broken into pieces. Stir over low heat until all the chocolate has dissolved. Add sugar and cream. The optimal serving temperature is 75 degrees. The top of the drink can be decorated with whipped cream or marshmallows. You can also sprinkle the finished drink with cocoa or cinnamon. Be sure to serve this drink with a glass of cool water. After all, in order for each subsequent sip to be as wonderful as the first, the receptors need to be cleansed.

Italian hot chocolate recipe

The Italian drink has a thicker consistency. In order to achieve the desired viscosity, heavy cream and cornstarch, or a more authentic version of it, arrowroot, are added. Sometimes you can find citrus zest in recipes – it’s very tasty.

• Dark chocolate – 100 g;
• Cream – 130 ml;
• Corn starch – 1 teaspoon;
• Sugar – 1 teaspoon;
• Orange or lemon zest - 1 teaspoon.

First we need to dilute the starch. To do this, pour a little cream into a saucepan and stir the starch into it. Turn the stove on low and continue stirring. As it thickens, you can add cream. The starch will completely dissolve and swell only in a boiling mixture. Then add all the other ingredients. The chocolate turns out thick, so be sure to serve it with a teaspoon and a glass of water.

Mexican hot chocolate

In Latin American countries, spiced chocolate is most common. And its texture is different - before serving it is whipped into foam.

• Chocolate – 70 gr;
• Milk – 50 ml;
• Water – 50 ml;
• Cream – 30 ml;
• Spices to taste - cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, saffron, star anise;
• Cayenne pepper - on the tip of a knife;
• Caramel syrup, grated chocolate, coconut or almond flakes for decoration.

Pour water into the pan, add spices, pepper and let it simmer a little over low heat to release the aromas of the seasonings. Then add chocolate, milk and cream to the pan. As soon as the tiles dissolve, the drink can be removed from the stove. The entire mixture must be whisked until light foam forms. Pour the drink into mugs and decorate the top with syrup, grated chocolate or nut shavings. Almond flakes will give an extraordinary aroma.

Sometimes you can find recipes with sea salt. This is an interesting combination. If desired, add a small pinch to the mug along with the caramel syrup.

Recipes with eggs are also popular. This combination is not for everybody, but you can try it if you want. For cooking, use only yolks (the white will curdle and look ugly). For our recipe, 1 yolk is enough. Whisk it and add it along with the milk. Be sure to bring the mixture to a boil.

Want to make your drink even more spirited? Then pour 30 ml of strong aromatic alcohol into a mug. For example, cognac, rum or whiskey.

Cooking methods

The drink is prepared with milk, but to reduce calories, milk can be replaced with water. You can choose milk of any fat content; it can also be replaced with dry milk. In coffee shops it is prepared using a coffee machine. You can make hot chocolate in a coffee machine using either chocolate bars or powder. For some coffee machines you will have to purchase special capsules. A coffee machine with a special mode mixes the ingredients itself, monitors the milk temperature and preparation time.

How to make hot chocolate at home, there are many recipes for every taste. For home preparation, you do not need special equipment; the drink is prepared in a saucepan or Turk on the stove. The ingredients for the base are the same: milk, chocolate bars and various additives. The most popular additive is cinnamon. However, there are many exotic recipes with cayenne and chili peppers, sour cream and even eggs. Some types of drinks have a liquid consistency, like cocoa, while others are so thick that it is more convenient to eat them with a spoon.

Drink based on chocolate bars

For this recipe you will need chocolate bars, it is best to choose dark chocolate, it has a deep taste. It is also necessary to study the composition of the tile: it should not contain preservatives, artificial colors, or thickeners. Sugar is added as desired; if the chocolate bar is sweet enough, you can do without it. Various additives are used if desired; the classic recipe includes only a cinnamon stick. Many people know how to make hot chocolate from chocolate bars; just melt it over a fire and add milk.

You can use a chocolate bar as the basis for a hot drink.

Ingredients:

• milk – 300 ml;
• dark chocolate – 90-100 g;
• cream with 20% fat content - 120 ml;
• cinnamon – 1 stick.

Preparation: combine milk and cream in a small saucepan and heat without bringing to a boil. The cinnamon stick is broken and kneaded. You can use already ground cinnamon, but for an intense taste and aroma it is better to choose a stick. Remove the milk and cream from the heat and cool slightly. The chocolate bar is broken and added to the milk. The finished drink needs to be infused a little.

Based on cocoa powder

Many people prefer hot chocolate made from cocoa, modifying it with various additives. It is recommended to choose cocoa powder without sugar additives or preservatives. The fat content of milk is adjusted to taste.

Ingredients:

• cocoa powder without additives - 2 tbsp. spoons;
• sugar (cane can be used) – 2 tbsp. spoons;
• milk (cow or vegetable) – 400 ml;
• vanillin (vanilla sugar) – 1 teaspoon.

Preparation: mix dry ingredients in a small container and stir until smooth. Part of the milk is poured into a saucepan, heated over high heat, then the rest of the milk is poured. After a few minutes, add the mixture and cook until the dry mass is completely dissolved, then turn off the heat. It is important to ensure that the milk does not boil, otherwise a film will appear on the drink.

With pepper

The recipe for hot chocolate with pepper may seem quite exotic, but the spicy drink has found fans all over the world. It was first prepared by the Mayan Indians; in addition to pepper, they used ground corn and clean water as a base. The recipe has come to us with some modifications. Nowadays milk, chili pepper, and cinnamon are used to prepare it.

Ingredients:

• dark chocolate – 50 g;
• milk – 400 ml;
• fresh chili pepper – 1 pc.;
• cinnamon – 1 stick.

Preparation: It is recommended to wear gloves when preparing the drink, as pepper can get on the skin and mucous membranes. The seeds are removed from the pepper, milk is poured into the pan, and placed on medium heat along with the pepper. Add vanilla and chopped cinnamon to taste. The chocolate bar is grated on a coarse grater or cut into small pieces. Chocolate chips are added to the milk and boiled until it dissolves. Afterwards, the mixture is removed from the heat, left for another 15-20 minutes, then filtered and poured into cups. The piquant drink is recommended to be drunk hot.

In Italian

The composition of Italian hot chocolate includes starch, which turns it into an unusual chocolate dessert that can be eaten with a spoon. Also in Italy they prefer to replace milk with cream, this gives the drink a special creamy taste.

Ingredients:

• cream with 20% fat content - 400 ml;
• chocolate (dark or bitter) – 90-100 g;
• starch (corn starch is better) - 1 tbsp. spoon;
• sugar (white or cane) – 1-2 teaspoons.

Preparation:

1. The starch is diluted with three tablespoons of cream until smooth, then whisked.
2. The second part of the cream is poured into the pan and brought to a boil.
3. Sugar is added to the cream to taste.
4. After the mixture thickens slightly, you can pour in the mixture of cream and starch.
5. The cream is removed from the heat, the crushed chocolate bar is added to it and stirred until completely dissolved.
6. The finished drink is poured into cups and decorated as desired.

With banana

Few people know how to make hot chocolate with banana, but this drink can appeal to all lovers of this fruit. Banana goes well with the chocolate component of the drink.

Ingredients:

• chocolate bar (dark or bitter) – 1 pc.;
• milk – 0.5 liters;
• medium banana – 1 pc.;
• chopped cinnamon – ¼ teaspoon;
• salt – 1 pinch;
• sugar (white or cane), vanillin - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan or small saucepan.
2. The chocolate bar is broken or grated and added to hot milk.
3. The mixture must be stirred until the chocolate chips are completely dissolved.
4. Salt, sugar and vanillin are added to taste.
5. Using a mixer, beat the banana and combine it with chocolate milk. The thick drink can be poured into cups.

Banana will give the drink a pleasant taste

With starch

Starch makes the chocolate drink thick, you can drink it hot and eat it with a spoon after it cools. Some people think that thick hot chocolate is classic.

Ingredients:

• chocolate (it is better to take dark) – 2 bars;
• whole milk – 500 ml;
• starch (potato or corn) - 3 tbsp. spoons.

Preparation:

1. A small amount of milk is combined with starch and stirred until smooth.
2. The rest of the milk is poured into a saucepan and placed over medium heat.
3. Chocolate bars are broken and added to hot milk. It is important not to bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Pour the starch mixture into the chocolate milk in a thin stream, stirring thoroughly.
5. The finished dish is poured into cups or left to cool.

White hot chocolate

For sophisticated sweet tooths who are tired of the usual hot chocolate, a drink based on a white chocolate bar can be an excellent alternative. The main thing is to approach its choice responsibly, select a tile with a pure composition and one that is more candied, then the creamy drink will turn out delicious.

Ingredients:

• white chocolate – 1 bar;
• milk – 400 ml;
• Additives (vanilla, cinnamon, sugar) - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Break the tiles, place them in a small saucepan, and melt them until soft over low heat.
2. The milk is heated in the microwave or in a saucepan.
3. The ingredients are combined, mixed, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla are added to taste. The drink can be poured into mugs.

Viennese

The Viennese drink contains more ingredients, its taste is multifaceted. Cardamom and black pepper give hot chocolate a special spice. The egg allows hot chocolate to acquire its famous thick consistency and unusual taste.

Ingredients:

• chocolate (dark or milk) – 100 g;
• whole milk – 200 ml;
• sugar (white or cane) – 2 teaspoons;
• chicken egg – 1 pc.;
• heavy cream – 2 tbsp. spoons;
• cardamom – 3-4 pcs.;
• ground black pepper - on the tip of a knife.

Preparation:

1. Milk is poured into a small saucepan, sugar is added. Cook the mixture for 2 minutes, without bringing to a boil.
2. Spices are added: cardamom, ground black pepper.
3. Broken milk chocolate is added to the milk, and the mixture is cooked over low heat until the chocolate bar is completely dissolved.
4. After dissolving, the mixture is removed from the heat and cooled slightly.
5. The egg is broken into a container, separating the yolk from the white.
6. Beat the yolk with a fork, add to the drink, and place on low heat.
7. At a temperature of 60-70˚C, the dish is brought to thickening.
8. The cream is whipped until foamy and added to the drink. Hot chocolate can be poured into cups.

Instant hot chocolate

This drink has gained fame among those who want to enjoy their favorite taste, but do not have time to prepare hot chocolate on the stove. There are many varieties of packaged drinks that can be prepared using milk, cream and even water. The main thing when choosing such a mixture is to carefully study the composition. In the first place it should contain cocoa powder, then sugar, milk powder. The shorter the composition of packaged hot chocolate, the purer it is and the richer the taste.

With marshmallows

Marshmallow is a marshmallow used to decorate various drinks and cocktails. Marshmallows look impressive on thick hot chocolate and do not melt for a long time. As a decoration, marshmallows can be added to drinks prepared according to any recipe. A chocolate cocktail can be decorated with cream and sprinkled with marshmallows on top; you can also add marshmallows directly to the drink, melting, it will give hot chocolate an interesting creamy taste.

Hot chocolate is a favorite drink of adults and children around the world. Various variations of preparation allow you to reduce calorie content and drink it even for people watching their figure. By adding spices, fruits, alcohol, you can achieve a unique taste. The deep aroma of hot chocolate cures the blues, improves your mood and warms you up at any time of the year.

Hot chocolate made from cocoa

This recipe is useful for those who do everything on the run. It can even be prepared in the microwave. In essence, it turns out to be a cocoa drink familiar to us since childhood. It won't be thick, but it will definitely be chocolatey. Be sure to try cooking it.

• Milk – 200 ml;
• Cocoa powder – 5 teaspoons;
• Sugar – 2 teaspoons.

Combine sugar and cocoa in a dry, microwave-safe mug. Add milk. By the way, if there is not enough milk for a full portion, you can add water - the taste will not suffer much. The main thing is that the proportions of milk and water should not be higher than 1 to 1 towards water. When adding liquid to a dry mixture, the cocoa may curdle. Don't worry - all the lumps in a hot drink can be easily stirred. Place the mug in the microwave for 1.5 -2 minutes, depending on the maximum power. Now you can enjoy delicious and quick hot chocolate.

Chocolate with cinnamon, milk and honey

Ingredients:

1. milk – 0.5 l;
2. cocoa – 3 tbsp. l.;
3. honey - 4 tbsp. l.;
4. cinnamon – 1 stick;
5. sugar – 60 g;
6. vanilla – 1 tsp.

Cooking method

Pour milk into a container, add sugar, honey, cinnamon and heat over low heat. Pour cocoa powder into milk. Remove the cinnamon before boiling, wait until the mixture boils, and turn off the heat. Pour the drink into cups and you can decorate it with marshmallow pieces.