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Orange Spice Hot Chocolate

Orange spice hot chocolate combines cocoa, semisweet chocolate, orange zest, and cinnamon in a gently heated drink. Straining the steeped milk creates a smooth cup with warm spice and bright citrus notes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
steeping 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 0.25 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.125 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp orange zest finely grated
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 oz semisweet chocolate finely chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 3-quart saucepan

Method
 

  1. In a 3-quart saucepan, whisk together the milk, cocoa powder, sugar, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
  2. Stir in the orange zest and cinnamon stick.
  3. Heat over medium-low, whisking often, for 5 to 7 minutes until steaming but not boiling.
  4. Remove from the heat and steep for 5 minutes.
  5. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer back into the saucepan.
  6. Discard the zest and cinnamon stick.
  7. Set the pan over low heat.
  8. Add the chopped chocolate and whisk for 2 to 3 minutes until melted and smooth.
  9. Remove from the heat.
  10. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
  11. Serve hot.

Notes

For the smoothest texture, whisk continuously while the chocolate melts and avoid boiling the milk. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days and reheat gently, whisking before serving. Freezer: no, as the dairy may separate. For a dairy-free variation, use unsweetened oat milk.