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–+ servings
Rich French Hot Chocolate topped with Chantilly cream, fresh orange zest, and a pinch of smoked sea salt.

French Hot Chocolate

Rebecca Blumer
A rich and glossy Parisian-style drinking chocolate made with high-quality bittersweet dark chocolate and a hint of nutmeg for a velvet, spoon-coating finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine French
Servings 2 cups
Calories 412 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Hand whisk

Ingredients
 

  • 300 ml Whole milk
  • 100 g Dark bittersweet chocolate (65-70% cocoa solids)
  • 1 pinch Sea salt (fleur de sel)
  • 0.25 tsp Vanilla extract or powder
  • 0.25 tsp Grated nutmeg

Instructions
 

Warm the milk gently

  • Pour the whole milk into a medium saucepan and set it over medium-low heat until it is hot and steaming, but do not let it reach a boil.

Build the flavor base, then melt the chocolate

  • Once the milk is hot, stir in the sea salt, vanilla, and grated nutmeg until the aroma is released.
  • Add the chopped dark chocolate a little at a time, whisking continuously with a hand whisk as it melts into the milk over a gentle, slow simmer.

Whisk to thicken, then pour

  • Continue whisking the mixture gently for at least 5 minutes. This encourages the cocoa butter to emulsify, creating a glossy surface and a thick, velvet texture.
  • Once the chocolate reaches your desired thickness, pour into small cups or jugs and serve immediately.

Notes

Espresso Boost: Stir in a half-teaspoon of espresso powder to deepen the roasted cacao notes without making it taste like coffee.
Texture Fix: If the hot chocolate looks thin or separated, use an immersion blender for 10 seconds to create a perfectly emulsified, frothy finish.
Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers in the fridge where they will thicken into a pudding-like consistency. To serve again, reheat over low heat with a splash of milk while whisking until glossy.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 412kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 8gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 125mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 5gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 6IUCalcium: 18mgIron: 25mg
Keyword Chocolat Chaud, Dark Chocolate Drink, French Hot Chocolate
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