Make Best Ever Hot Chocolate

Wintery days call for a mug of the good stuff. Not just any hot chocolate, we’re talking the ultimate, indulgent, bells and whistles variety. From chocolate and toppings to preparation and serving, we’ve got all the ingredients for your best one ever.

Getting the chocolate right is a big deal. The most important decision you’ll make in fact. And while there are some excellent powdered chocolate options out there, if it’s going to be great it has to be grated.

Pick a good quality chocolate bar (whether dark, milk or white is up to you) and grate or finely chop about two tablespoons’ worth. Use more if you want it really rich. Top tip: sweeten up bitter dark chocolate with brown sugar or maple syrup.

The milk you choose depends on your preference. If you’re opting for cow’s milk, full fat will give a luxurious, creamy taste and adding cream will take it to the next level.

Nut milks work just fine and milk made from grains (e.g. oat, rice) are high in fibre and will thicken up nicely when heated. Treat in the same way as cow’s milk, more on this below.

Straight up hot chocolate is a classic but there are loads of extras to add if you fancy going all out. The sky’s pretty much the limit here: go fruity with orange, spice up with ginger, add peppermint, flavoured syrups, nut butters, liqueurs – whatever tickles your tastebuds.

Jamie suggests adding Horlicks for a hint of malt in his epic hot chocolate recipe. Or give it a seasonal touch with this simple but delish chestnut hot chocolate.

Gently heat the milk in a pan, stirring often to stop it from scolding. When it starts to simmer, add in the grated chocolate and whisk to blend it to a beautifully smooth consistency.

Want to know a neat hack? Hot chocolate can also be made in a slow cooker. Try this recipe for zero effort slow cooker hot chocolate.

Marshmallows before or after whipped cream? We say both. That way you have some gooey melted mallows in your drink and some for decoration. Go festive with these cute snowmen marshmallows.

Top with a swirl of canned squirty cream or make it extra special by whipping up some flavoured cream. Then finish with a dusting of cinnamon, your favourite sprinkles or shavings of yet more chocolate.

Loaded with all these goodies, this hot choc is a meal in itself but who’s going to say no to some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on the side? Not us, that’s for sure.

As it’s nearly Christmas, have this recipe for gingerbread hot chocolate ready to go. Swap the cocoa powder for grated chocolate and you’re onto a festive winner.

For gifting, these white Christmas hot chocolate stirrers make a pretty homemade pressie. Or try this year’s hottest craze – hot chocolate bombs! Here are four fab recipes to get you started.

Don’t know about you but we have a serious hot chocolate craving going on!