French hot chocolate is the chocoholic's dream. This thick, velvety smooth drink allows you to experience all the wonderful flavor notes of dark chocolate in every sip. You just need a few minutes and a couple ingredients to make this authentic French chocolat chaud!
If you love hot chocolate, make sure to check out this easy hot cocoa mix and this Starbucks copycat peppermint mocha.
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Ingredients
In its most basic form, chocolat chaud is composed simply of the highest quality dark chocolate and whole milk. Let's talk about the key ingredients in this drink.
- Dark Chocolate: Make sure to use the very best chocolate you can find, and use one with at least 70% cacao or higher. I used Lindt in this recipe.
- Milk: Use whole milk, not cream or lowfat milk. If you're looking for a non-dairy alternative, try oat milk, as it's the creamiest plant-based milk.
- Other Add-Ins: The French serve hot chocolate with Chantilly cream (sweetened whipped cream with vanilla), and some even add a touch of fleur de sel (an expensive sea salt for finishing dishes) to balance out the flavors. Many Americans like to sweeten the drink by adding a couple tablespoons of brown sugar, but of course this is optional.
How to Make
- Chop up the chocolate into small pieces with a sharp knife.
- Pour the milk into a heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat over medium heat until gently steaming, stirring occasionally.
3. Once the milk is steaming, remove it from the heat and add the chocolate. Whisk for a couple minutes until it is fully melted and the mixture is well combined.
4. Return the pan to medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Be sure to keep whisking frequently to prevent it from burning.
5. Boil gently for 3-5 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the mixture has thickened. Taste and whisk in the brown sugar, if desired, then remove from the heat.
6. Pour all the Chantilly cream ingredients into a bowl and beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until stiff. You know that the cream is done when it passes this test: the whipped cream shouldn't fall out of the bowl if it's turned upside down.
7. Pour the drink into small cups.
8. Garnish each cup with a dollop of Chantilly cream. Enjoy this French drink immediately!
Recipe FAQs
It is a rich beverage made simply of melted dark chocolate and whole milk. It is typically garnished with Chantilly cream (sweetened whipped cream with vanilla extract) or a pinch of coarse sea salt. A small cup is quite expensive if you buy it at a Parisian café, as this drink uses the best quality ingredients available.
The French call this drink chocolat chaud. Want to know how to pronounce this name? You'd say it SHOW-coo-lah SHEW. Listen to the French pronunciation.
Yes, this drink is popular in France. Hot chocolate originated in Mexico with the Mayas about 2,500 years ago, but was originally served cold and flavored with cinnamon and chili peppers. The Spanish conquistadors sweetened the drink and brought it back to Europe in the 1528, where it slowly grew in popularity. By the 1600s, this bitter drink was immensely popular with the French royalty--minus the cinnamon and chili, of course.
Throughout the years with changes in technology, the drink eventually became what we know today. This drink has spread throughout the world, with many variations depending upon the location it is served.
Hot chocolate contains melted bar chocolate and has a richer, creamier texture, while hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder and isn't as indulgent.
Expert Tips
- Use top-quality, dark chocolate in bar form. Use a minimum of 70% cacao made by a reputable brand such as Lindt, Ghirardelli, or Godiva. Never use chips, as they contain stabilizers which will affect the texture.
- Use whole milk, not cream. The creaminess of this French drink comes from the high-quality chocolate, not cream.
- Keep the heat around medium. Don't turn the heat to high, or it may burn.
- Want a thinner or thicker version? Reduce the chocolate to 5 ounces (141g) and don't boil the mixture for a thinner drink, or increase it to 7 ounces (198g) and gently boil the mixture for 3-5 minutes to thicken it.
- Make in advance. It tastes great a few hours or even up to 3 days later; then reheat on the stovetop over medium heat.
Other Hot Drinks You'll Enjoy
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Recipe
French Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
For the Drink
- 2 cups whole milk
- 6 ounces good-quality 70% dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, optional
- pinch of coarse sea salt, for garnish
For the Chantilly Cream
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon caster sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pour the milk into a 2-quart, heavy-based saucepan and set over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Heat the milk until it is gently steaming, but not simmering.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the bar with a sharp knife.
- Once the milk is gently steaming, remove the pan from the heat and dump in the chopped chocolate. Whisk continuously until it is melted and the mixture is smooth. Be patient; this will take a couple minutes.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste and whisk in the brown sugar if desired.
- Serve hot in small cups, garnished with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt and a dollop of Chantilly cream. Alternatively, let it cool completely to room temperature and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over gentle heat.
- Pour the chilled whipping cream into a bowl and add the sugar and vanilla extract. Whip with a handheld electric mixer on medium speed until the cream is stiff. It shouldn't fall out of the bowl if it is turned upside down.
- Place a dollop of the Chantilly cream in each cup. Chantilly cream is best when enjoyed right away, but you can store leftovers covered tightly in the fridge for a day.
Notes
- Don't use chips or baking wafers; use only the bar form with a minimum of 70% cocoa solids.
- Keep the heat around medium. Don't turn the heat to high, or it may burn.
- Want it thinner or thicker? For a thinner drink, reduce the chocolate to 5 ounces (141g) and don't boil it. For a thicker drink, increase the it to 7 ounces (198g) and gently boil it for 3-5 minutes.
- Make it in advance. It tastes great a few hours or even up to 3 days later.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with medium heat.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on October 18, 2019, and was republished on February 11, 2022 with updated photos and information.
Alex
This tastes creamy and chock full of chocolate. It is delightfully thick, and I like the hint of salt. It is absolutely delicious.🍫❤️😋
Emma
Thank you, Alex! I'm glad that you enjoyed the hot chocolate.
Beth
The warm, rich chocolate flavour 🍫 is prevalent. The Chantilly cream sprinkled with hot chocolate shavings and salt float on top. The salt adds a depth of flavour. It is not too rich; you can sip the entire glass! Yummy!
Emma
Thanks, Beth! I like how this hot chocolate isn't overly rich, too!