Spicy Hot Chocolate

I had a can of Ghirardelli sweetened ground chocolate and cocoa powder in my pantry since summer. During my ice-cream fest I procured lots of ingredients for ice cream making and chocolate ice cream never hit the freezer shelves last year. Today after my morning work schedule, I was craving chocolate. We don't usually keep candy hanging around our kitchen so when I found the cocoa powder, I started to concoct hot beverages in my mind. A quick google search found this site advertising exotic hot chocolate powders. Using the ingredient list from this site I was inspired to make an Indian-Aztec version of hot chocolate. I used whatever spices I craved and I think the key to this recipe is starting with really good, dark chocolate and/or cocoa powder and using your creativity to get the right background flavorings in your drink...


Spicy Hot Chocolate Recipe ~ Makes approximately 2 large mugs

• 3 Cups Milk (I used 2% milk)
  

• 6 Heaping Teaspoons of Ghirardelli Sweetened Chocolate & Cocoa Powder


• 6 to 8 Pods Cardamom, cracked open


• 2 Cloves


• 1/4 Teaspoon Cracked Whole Pepper


• 1/4 Inch Cinnamon Stick


• 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Method:
Heat the milk on medium heat in large enough pot. Gather all spices (except cayenne pepper) into a small square cheesecloth and tie into a little bundle. Add this bundle into the heating milk. Add chocolate powder to the milk and spices. Stir the mixture till thoroughly heated and steaming, lower the heat to simmer and add cayenne pepper. Simmer the hot liquid for about 5 to 15 minutes till spices have a chance to steep into the liquids. Strain (if necessary) and pour into 2 large mugs. Serve hot with some snacks or enjoy alone.

Spicy hot chocolate ready for consumption with my afternoon snack of tapioca string fries.

Verdict: This recipe for hot chocolate turned out so great that I am going to have to serve this as a nice winter post dinner party drink. The spices and hot peppers give the sweet chocolate a very nice balance. Makes simple hot cocoa turn extraordinary. Give it a try! You won't regret.