Name: Drinking Chocolate
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk (organic, preferably); 1 cup plus 2 heaping tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa (or cacao); 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; Crushed peppermint candy, for optional garnish; 12 ounces cold whipping cream (organic, preferably); 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon, plus a couple of extra drops, pure peppermint extract; 1/3 cup powdered sugar

If you're a chocolate lover, then my drinking chocolate is just the decadent treat to get all cozy with during the holiday season. Prepared with whole milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, Dutch-process cocoa, vanilla and a touch of sweetener, my velvety drinking chocolate recipe comes complete with a rich peppermint whipped cream topping!

Enjoying Your Chocolate as a Rich Drink

Friends, chocolate is one of my favorite indulgences, one which I like to enjoy a little of every single day.

Typically, I'll snap off little pieces of my favorite dark chocolate bar, one speckled with crunchy almonds or little tasty add-ins such as dried cherries, spicy chilis, hazelnuts, or coconut. I just love chocolate as a pick-me-up!

During the holidays, I have a delicious little sweet treat that I adore whipping up for myself and my family, one that allows for us to enjoy our chocolate fix as a rich, hot drink!

My drinking chocolate is a creamy and velvety concoction that's delicious during the cold winter months, and a fantastic alternative to traditional hot cocoa.

Since it's richer and more indulgent, with a much stronger chocolate flavor and thicker texture, it's a perfect treat for the holiday season.

Prepared with whole milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, Dutch process cocoa powder, vanilla and a kiss of sugar, this drinking chocolate reminds me of a delicacy I'd order up at a fancy chocolate shop in France to take the chill off of cold evening—think “Chocolate” the movie!

Topped off with rich peppermint whipped cream sprinkled with crushed peppermints, this drinking chocolate is so cozy, and so delectably chocolatey!

My Recipe for Drinking Chocolate with Rich Peppermint Whipped Cream

For me, the holidays are a time to pull out all the stops when it comes to tasty treats. If we can't get a little bit extra comfy-cozy during this time of year, then I don't know when we can!

For such occasions, I love a warm cup of drinking chocolate to sip on out of a cute little mug, topped with a rich whipped cream kissed with cool peppermint, the perfect festive holiday slant.

Quick to prepare with just a few ingredients which we typically already have on hand, this drinking chocolate recipe only tastes fancy, and it's ready to be enjoyed in just a few minutes.

Here's a sneak peek at my drinking chocolate recipe: (or just jump to the full recipe...)

To get stared, I prepare my rich peppermint whipped cream and keep that cold in the fridge.
Next, I heat my milk and add in my chocolate chips, followed by my cocoa powder, then the rest of my sweet and delicious ingredients. I whisk to blend until everything is hot and smooth.
I pour my drinking chocolate into festive mugs, top with a big dollop of the peppermint whipped cream, and sprinkle over some crushed peppermints for a festive touch!

Recipe

Drinking Chocolate

by Ingrid Beer

Print Recipe

This sweet, decadent drinking chocolate topped with rich peppermint whipped cream is the perfect warm, cozy indulgence for chocolate lovers!

Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Yield: Serves 6

Nutrition Info: 496 calories per serving (with whipped cream)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes

Drinking Chocolate Ingredients:

4 cups whole milk (organic, preferably)
1 cup plus 2 heaping tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa (or cacao)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Crushed peppermint candy, for optional garnish

Rich Peppermint Whipped Cream Ingredients:

12 ounces cold whipping cream (organic, preferably)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon, plus a couple of extra drops, pure peppermint extract
⅓ cup powdered sugar

Preparation:

Begin by gathering and prepping your rich peppermint whipped cream ingredients according to the ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
To prepare the whipped cream, add the cold whipping cream to a large bowl, and add in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.
Using a hand mixer, whip the cream on medium-low for a few minutes until it becomes slightly thickened. Then, sprinkle in the powdered sugar, and continue to whip until fluffy and thickened, and stiff peaks form.
Keep cold in the fridge until ready to use.
Next, gather and prep your dinking chocolate ingredients according to the ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
To prepare your drinking chocolate, add the milk to a medium-size pot and place it over medium-low heat. After several minutes, when the milk becomes very warm, add in the chocolate chips and carefully whisk to blend until the chocolate is completely melted into the milk.
Reduce your heat to low, add in the cocoa, and gently whisk to blend until it dissolves into the warm chocolatey milk.
Next, add in the sugar and the vanilla, and mix to incorporate and dissolve. Continue to heat the drinking chocolate for a couple of moments more, just until everything is nice and hot, and well blended.
Pour equal amounts of the drinking chocolate into pretty mugs (roughly 6 ounces each), top with a generous dollop pr two of the rich peppermint whipped cream, and a sprinkle of crushed peppermints, if using.

Tips & Tidbits for my Drinking Chocolate recipe:

Whole milk, for richness: Because this drinking chocolate is meant to be an indulgence, I like to use whole milk to create a richer flavor. You can certainly use 2% milk or low-fat milk if you prefer, but it will not have quite the velvety texture and rich flavor as whole milk.
Non-dairy drinking chocolate: If you're avoiding dairy, you can substitute with a non-dairy milk of your choice in the recipe. Unsweetened oat milk or nut milk (even with vanilla flavoring) are good options, and if you'd like the flavor to be richer, then use a combination of that with non-dairy creamer or non-dairy half and half. You can use whipped coconut cream as a substitute for the whipped cream—yum!
Organic cacao in place of cocoa powder: These days, I use a lot of organic cacao in place of cocoa powder. Cacao is raw and unprocessed, using un-roasted cacao beans instead of roasted, as is used with cocoa. Cacao also has some added health benefits. It does have a slightly more bitter note, but it's a terrific option for this recipe.
Homemade peppermint whipped cream: Making homemade whipped cream is incredibly easy, and you can definitely taste the difference between that and store-bought. It takes only minutes to whip up using a hand mixer, and creates such a luscious and rich flavor when dolloped over top of the drinking chocolate. You can make a different flavor profile than peppermint if you prefer, simply using vanilla only, or add a touch of almond extract, instead.