Hot, Yet So Cool

Author Fred Thompson believes that “Hot Chocolate is winter’s gift to our soul.” We have shared a couple of our favorite seductive and sophisticated hot chocolate drinks.

 VANILLA HOT CHOCOLATE SEDUCTION

Vanilla hot chocolate has a mysterious pull, especially with the addition of some white chocolate liqueur. With the orange tones of the Triple Sec, this hot chocolate really is seductive.

1 1/2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
1/2 cup vanilla syrup
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
1 vanilla bean
6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
2 ounces white chocolate liqueur
2 ounces Triple Sec
Marshmallows for garnish
Cocoa powder for garnish

1. Pour the milk, vanilla syrup, and salt into a medium-size saucepan. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the mixture is hot. Do not boil.

2. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Add the seeds to the saucepan.

3. Add the white chocolate and stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Don’t rush this step by turning up the heat, or the white chocolate may seize. Stir in the liqueurs and blend.

4. Pour the hot chocolate into 4 mugs and serve immediately, topped with marshmallows and sprinkle of cocoa powder. Serves 4.

CHAI LATTE HOT CHOCOLATE

Chai has really moved into the mainstream over the past few years, and with good reason—it’s refreshing and different. Adding chocolate seems natural, and I think the result is one of the best beverages in the book. Use one of the premixed chai concentrates sold in cartons, such as Tazo.

1/2 cup chai mix concentrate
1/2 cup half-and-half
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 marshmallows for garnish (optional)

1. Pour the chai mix and half-and-half into a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to just under a boil; look for small bubbles on the sides of the pan. You will smell the spices in the chai. Remove from the heat and whisk in chocolate until it has melted and the mixture is smooth.

2. Pour the hot chocolate into 2 cups. Serve immediately, with a marshmallow on top if desired. Serves 2.