French hot chocolate or Chocolat Chaud is a classic Parisian drink. It is thicker and has a more intense chocolate flavor than the other varieties of hot chocolate. And is perfect for warming you up on a cold day.
Tips, Tricks & Suggestions
- Whole milk: I highly recommend that you use whole milk for making this hot chocolate. Not only because it’s traditional, but the higher fat content will result in a super rich and creamy drink. That being said if all you have on hand is skim milk you can still use it. Just understand that it’s not going to be as decadent.
- Vegan milk options: If you are vegan or simply can’t use dairy products then you can still make this drink with alternatives. Some of the best options would be oat milk, or unsweetened coconut milk as they both tend to be thick & creamy compared to other vegan options.
- 70% chocolate: French hot chocolate is meant to be strong! Which is why they traditionally use at least 70% cacao chocolate. So to achieve the proper taste I recommend that you pick up a bar of baker’s chocolate that’s around 70% cacao and roughly chop it up.
- Heavy Cream: Many recipes for french hot chocolate tend to add a bit of heavy cream in with the milk. But not only is this not traditional, I personally don’t find it necessary. Plus you typically add whipped cream on top of the hot chocolate. Which would make the addition of cream into the drink rather redundant. That being said, it’s your hot chocolate so feel free to make it however you want. And if you really want it to be extra creamy then sub out ½ cup of milk with heavy cream.
- Unsweetened whipped cream: As I just said French hot chocolate is typically served with whipped cream. And most importantly it tends to be unsweetened whipped cream. Unfortunately, most whipped creams sold at stores have sugar added. And I find that whipped cream is always best when you make it yourself. Luckily it’s really simple to do. You just have to whip heavy cream (as the name implies) with a whisk or stand mixer until it turns stiff. But if you’d like a more detailed explanation of how to do this check out this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Just make sure to leave out the sugar and vanilla extract.
- Whisk it baby!: While we’re on the topic the only specialty tool that you will need to make this recipe is a whisk. I can’t stress enough how important it is. Because if you use a spoon you’re going to have problems. Not only will it be difficult to properly melt the chocolate into the milk. But a whisk will lightly aerate the drink giving it the right consistency.
- Serving Suggestions: If you want something to serve with your French hot chocolate then I suggest you pick up some freshly made butter croissants. They pair perfectly with this drink, plus you can dunk them into the chocolate. Which is so good!
Variations
- Less intense chocolate: Look I understand, dark chocolate isn’t everyone’s thing. So don’t feel like you need to use a high percent chocolate to make this drink. Because as always with home cooking, you’re making this for yourself, so make it how you enjoy. And if you really want you can use regular old milk chocolate. It will still turn out great. In fact, you can even use white chocolate if you want something unique.
- Flavor enhancers: Want to give your hot chocolate a twist? Then add some flavor enhancers like a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a pinch of cinnamon, or even expresso powder.
- Alcohol: Make this hot chocolate for grown-ups by spiking it with a little booze. You can use whatever alcohol you enjoy, it doesn’t matter if it’s whisky, vodka, or gin. Just make sure to add it at the end or else you might evaporate all of the alcohol 🙁.
Other Drinks to Warm You Up
French Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud) Recipe
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 large cups, or 4 small cups
Ingredients
2 Cups of whole milk
7 oz. of Bittersweet chocolate (at least 70%), finely chopped
2 Tablespoons of brown sugar, or to taste
Pinch of salt
Optional garnish:
Freshly whipped cream, unsweetened
Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Heat up the milk: Add the milk to a medium-sized saucepan and place it over medium-high heat. Use a whisk to stir the milk for a couple of minutes until it heats up. You want the milk to be just reaching the boiling point (roughly 203℉/94℃). Once it gets there take it off the heat.
- Whisk in the remaining ingredients: Immediately toss in the chopped chocolate and whisk the two ingredients together for a minute or until the chocolate has melted. Return the saucepan back to low heat and add in the brown sugar and salt. Continue to whisk for another minute or until the liquid has become nice and thick.
- Pour the french hot chocolate into cups with whipped cream on the side & enjoy!
French Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud) Recipe
Servings: 2 large cups
Ingredients
- 2 Cups of whole milk
- 7 oz. of Bittersweet chocolate at least 70%, finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar or to taste
- Pinch of salt
Optional garnish:
- Freshly whipped cream unsweetened
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Heat up the milk: Add the milk to a medium-sized saucepan and place it over medium-high heat. Use a whisk to stir the milk for a couple of minutes until it heats up. You want the milk to be just reaching the boiling point (roughly 203℉/94℃). Once it gets there take it off the heat.
- Whisk in the remaining ingredients: Immediately toss in the chopped chocolate and whisk the two ingredients together for a minute or until the chocolate has melted. Return the saucepan back to low heat and add in the brown sugar and salt. Continue to whisk for another minute or until the liquid has become nice and thick.
- Pour the french hot chocolate into cups with whipped cream on the side & enjoy!
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