Winter Warmers
Hot chocolate is the ultimate winter warmer. Comforting, indulgent and versatile, it should have a prominent place on your hot beverage menu.
The traditional cup
• Fill 1/3 of cup with chocolate shavings or beans. Use 70%+ cocoa solids for best results
• Cover with boiling milk, stand for 1 minute so the chocolate softens
• Whisk to melt all the chocolate
• Add a pinch of sea salt and a dash of vanilla extract
• Stir and top up with hot milk
• Decorate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings
Options
With a little inspiration, hot chocolate can be the perfect hot drink for everyone.
• For calorie-conscious customers, use 50/50 milk and water, or just plain hot water
• Honey, maple syrup, stevia or agave nectar are good alternatives to sugar
• For dairy-free customers use rice, almond or soy milk
• Offer vegan customers vanilla almond milk and dairy-free chocolate
Make it special
Create a premium drink with greater appeal to more customers.
• Mix in 1 tbsp of peanut butter
• Pop a piece of fudge into the cup or have a fudge flavoured topping with fudge whipped cream
• Make it spicy with ¼ tsp of cinnamon, a pinch of cayenne pepper and garnish with a cinnamon stick
• Use hot milk instead of boiling water and add a splash of single cream to give a creamier and smoother finish
• Sprinkle grated chocolate on top rather than powder – remember to add sugar to balance out the bitter taste of the chocolate
• Add interest with toppings including marshmallows, salted caramel or syrups from Tate & Lyle or Teisseire
• For the kids make it fun by adding gold or glittery icing or offer a selection of sweets and chocolates for the topping
Hot chocolate twists
For those that want to spice up their hot chocolate with an alcoholic twist try adding:
• Tia Maria
• Grand Marnier or Cointreau
• Rum or Pisco
• Bourbon Whiskey – especially Jim Beam Black Cherry
• Kahlua
• Chambord liqueur
• Top up with red wine instead of milk
Quick options
Hot chocolate drinks are available in easy to make and serve formats. Check out:
Mars – Galaxy Hot Chocolate – galaxyhotchocolate.com
Mondelez – Bourneville Cocoa; Cadbury/Wispa Hot Chocolate – cadbury.co.uk
Nestlé – Nesquik – nesquik.com
And for syrups:
Tate & Lyle – tasteandsmile.com
Teissiere – teissiere.com
- Customers care about provenance. Use Fairtrade chocolate and say so on your hot chocolate menus!
- Hot chocolate is very rich, so offer it in a jug with espresso cups and a separate jug of hot milk
- Two fifths of consumers describe hot chocolate as comforting and indulgent
