Chocolat Chaud - French Drinking Chocolate

If you've ever read any period novels or non-fiction texts surrounding colonial America, you've probably heard of Drinking Chocolate. (The word 'drinking' being used as an adjective as opposed to a verb in this context). Drinking Chocolate isn't Hot Cocoa, in that Drinking Chocolate is made with actual melted chocolate while hot cocoa is a mixture comprised primarily of cocoa powder and sugar.

While Drinking Chocolate is the richer of the two, it's often less sweet. Chocolate (and Hot Chocolate's) introduction to Europe began with the Spanish exploration of South America,and then they brought the addictive drink back across the Atlantic with them. However, even the chocolate-loving French were originally skeptical, thinking that chocolate may have been a potent drug. However, with the Paris faculty of medicine's approval and their Spanish Queen Anne of Austria (wife of Louis XIII) being particularly fond of the drink, chocolate was in France to stay.

But we can't let royalty have all the fun! Even you can make your own drinking chocolate right in the comfort of your own home. To stay authentically French, you'll want to refer to your beverage as Chocolat Chaud (or hot chocolate) for starters.

French Hot Chocolate is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day when you could use some chocolate too. French children luck out, because this drink is typically served at breakfast, but you can make it any time the craving strikes.

Chocolat Chaud

for one

Ingredients

3/4 Cup Whole Milk

1 1/4 Tablespoons Water

1 1/4 Tablespoons Sugar

1 1/2 oz. Dark Chocolate (Good Quality - At least 60% Cacao), chopped

Optional: Whipped Cream, Shaved Chocolate

Directions

1. Warm milk in a small saucepan. Do not boil.
2. Once milk is warm, whisk in water and sugar, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil. 

3. Immediately remove from heat and whisk chocolate into warmed milk mixture.

4. For a true frothy chocolat, use a hand blender to incorporate all ingredients. 

5. Serve immediately, topping with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

For larger quantities, simply multiply ingredients by servings desired.

Enjoy!