Parisian Hot Chocolate; Chocolat Chaud
When the winter chill comes to Paris, one of the great pleasures is sipping a cup of rich hot chocolate, known as chocolat chaud, in a cozy café. But no matter where you live, you can easily make and enjoy the chocolatey taste of this Parisian specialty at home.
Contrary to popular belief, Parisian hot chocolate is usually made with milk rather than cream, and get its luxurious richness from top-quality chocolate. This cup of hot chocolate is deeply flavorful, but not over-the-top rich…so there’s no need to feel guilty indulging in a warm cup whenever, and wherever, you feel the need.
Want more hot chocolate? You’ll find more recipes – including Spiced Hot Chocolate and Hot Chocolate with Salted Butter Caramel, as well as Homemade Marshmallows – in my book Drinking French!
Parisian Hot Chocolate
- 2 cups (500ml) whole milk
- 5 ounces (130g) bittersweet chocolate, (best-quality), finely chopped
- optional: 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Once the milk is warm, remove from heat and whisk in the chocolate, stirring until the chocolate is melted. For a thick hot chocolate, return to heat and cook at a very low boil for about 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly. Be careful and keep an eye on the mixture, as it may boil up a bit during the first moments.
- Taste, and add brown sugar if desired.
- Serve warm in demitasse cups, or small coffee or tea cups.
