Servings
Font
Back
0 from 66 votes

Chocolat Chaud (French Hot Chocolate)

Not all hot chocolate is created equal. Chocolat Chaud is French hot chocolate, also called French drinking chocolate. It's extremely decadent and rich, truly intended for sating chocoholics. You'll find it in popular Parisian cafés and tea rooms like Angelina, Carette, and Café de Flore, but it's easy enough to make yourself at home in 10 minutes or less!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 4 Parisian sized cups (makes 2 ½ cups)
Calories: 301 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
  • 5 ounces (130 grams) good quality bittersweet dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Big pinch sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (optional)
  • Whipped cream, for serving (preferably homemade and unsweetened; optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan heat the milk over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
  2. Remove from the heat and whisk in the chopped chocolate until it's completely smooth. Whisk in the vanilla extract and sea salt. Return the saucepan to medium heat and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking occasionally, until silky and thickened. For a slightly sweeter finish, whisk in brown sugar until dissolved (this is a matter of personal preference).
  3. Pour into cups and serve with fresh whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

  • Serve this French hot chocolate in tea cups or cappuccino cups, not in large mugs. It's very rich and a small amount goes a long way.
  • Choose the best quality chocolate you can. This is not the place to cut corners. I don't recommend chocolate chips for this recipe, as they contain stabilizers and do not melt as smoothly. Brands of chocolate I recommend include Lindt, Ghirardelli, Godiva, and Moser Roth (from Aldi).
  • Cool leftover French hot chocolate to room temperature, then refrigerate it in an airtight container. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat.
  • Drinking chocolate should be considerably thicker than classic American-style hot cocoa, but not quite as thick as chocolate fondue.
  • This recipe can easily be reduced to make a single cup or two, or multiplied to make more!

Nutrition Information

Calories 301kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Sodium 26mg (1%) Sugar 18g (36%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Parisian sized cups (makes 2 ½ cups)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 301

% Daily Value*

Calories 301kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Sodium 26mg 1%
Sugar 18g 36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.