Mexican Hot Chocolate

I don’t know what the weather has been like where you are but at our house it’s been cold and rainy.  I’ve already forgotten that I was wearing flip-flops and t-shirts a few days ago.  I’m ready for sunshine and warm weather!  Since it has been dreary, I’ve been drinking hot chocolate.

My current obsession is Mexican Hot Chocolate.  I saw this recipe on A Still Magnolia and I knew I needed to make this recipe immediately.  After I enjoyed this beverage once, it’s become something that I’ve started to crave.  I think it will become a cold weather staple in your house too.

I had never been exposed to Mexican Hot Chocolate until I started having supervision at work several years ago.  My supervisor worked out of a different office so we met at Buzz Café for coffee every week.  My coworker ordered a Mexican Hot Chocolate and I gave it a try.   Upon my first taste, I was in love.  It’s simply hot chocolate with cayenne pepper added to it for a little kick.

Not only is this drink delicious, it’s so incredibly easy to make.  You probably have all the ingredients on hand right now.  This will be a lovely addition to a weekend brunch or a tasty treat with the weekend paper. And yes, it’s delicious just how it is.  I prefer it topped with a big dollop of homemade whipped cream.

 

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Pour 2 cups of milk into a medium saucepan over medium heat.  To add decadence add ½ cup heavy cream.  I promise the richness is worth the extra calories.

Add in 2 heaping tablespoons of brown sugar and whisk until the sugar dissolves into the milk.  I like the richness of flavor that brown sugar gives but if you only have white sugar add that in.

Add ¼ cup chocolate chips and whisk until it’s completely melted, 1-2 minutes.  In the original recipe, she uses shaved chocolate.  I didn’t have any shaved chocolate so I used chocolate chips.  Use whatever you have in your pantry.  Dark chocolate is my favorite but semi sweet works great too.

Be careful not to leave the milk unattended long because you don’t want to burn the milk.

Continue whisking until tiny, foamy bubbles begin to form around the outside of the pan.

Then add a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, and a healthy pinch of cayenne pepper.

The cayenne adds a perfect kick. Return to heat and keep whisking until the mixture is warmed all the way through and simmering.