The Ultimate Spiced Hot Chocolate

I don't know about you but during this time of year I crave hot, sweet and creamy drinks. I blame all the Starbucks advertising, damn you gingerbread latte. In the evening I love to whip up a comforting hot drink like a chai latte, golden milk (see my recipe here) or this ultimate hot chocolate which is full of warm spices like nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon.

The Ultimate Spiced Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups of your favourite milk - mine is almond milk for a nutty flavour
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 pinch of ground ginger to taste

1 pinch of ground cinnamon to taste

1 pinch of grated nutmeg to taste
2 tablespoon maple syrup
1 pinch of sea salt (if you like salted chocolate bars you'll love this!)

For the topping

100 ml whipping cream

100g dark chocolate - or more if you want lots of sauce

Method

Over a low heat pour in your milk, spices and maple syrup in a small pan and whisk together. If you have a blender you can also blend these ingredients together before heating for an extra smooth mixture.

Taste the mixture and add in the salt if you're using, you can also adjust the sweetness at this point too. Leave the hot chocolate mixture on a very low heat to keep warm whilst you make the whipped cream and warm dark chocolate sauce. 

Place a heatproof bowl over a pan of hot water to create a bain-marie. Do not let the bowl touch the surface of the water as this may burn the chocolate. Break your dark chocolate into squares and place into the bowl, stir until the chocolate begins to melt. Keep a close eye on the pan and take it off the heat as soon as the chocolate is totally melted.

Whisk the cream, either by hand or with an electric whisk, until the cream has a slightly stiff texture. Grab your favourite mug and pour in the hot chocolate mixture, dollop on a good amount of cream and pour over the warm dark chocolate sauce.

Pop on your favourite Christmas movie and enjoy with a few gingerbread biscuits.