This Orange Hot Chocolate will be your new favorite way to warm up, blending rich cocoa, dark chocolate, and warm cinnamon with a bright hint of citrus. It's perfect for chilly days, and you can make it even cozier with a dollop of whipped cream or a few toasted marshmallows.
Oranges are one of my favorite fruits (besides mangoes and watermelon)?! So it's no surprise I want to add them to everything. This cozy chocolatey cuppa has the perfect balance of creamy hot chocolate and bright, zesty orange.
If you're a hot chocolate fan, you'll also love my café-style French Hot Chocolate!
Table of Content
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chocolate - For the best results, use high quality dark chocolate, semi sweet chocolate, or even chocolate chips.
- Milk - Whole cow's milk gives the richest taste, but you can also switch with almond milk or oat milk.
- Orange - Freshly squeezed orange juice works best in the recipe. Plus you can use the same orange to grate some zest to garnish your drink and add the rinds to the milk.
- Sugar - Skip it if don't want a lot of sweetness.
- Cinnamon Powder
- Cocoa powder - Use unsweetened cocoa powder.
Step By Step With Photos
- Simmer the milk with the orange peel and let it sit to infuse the flavor.
- Remove the peel, then add the chopped dark chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and sugar, whisking until everything is smooth. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the fresh orange juice at the end and warm gently.
- Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream, cocoa powder, and orange zest, and serve hot.
Expert Tips
- Fresh orange juice gives the best results. You can use store-bought fresh juice too, but avoid the boxed or long-life varieties.
- The longer you rest the milk with the orange peels, the stronger the citrusy flavour will get. You can taste after 10-15 minutes and if you prefer it punchier let the peels infuse more.
- Don't add the orange juice at the start, or the milk will curdle. Add it right at the end when the milk has simmered.
Serving Ideas & Variations
- Top with sweetened whipped cream, marshmallows, or shaved chocolate for extra richness.
- Keep it simple with a dusting of cocoa powder and a little orange zest.
- Add vanilla extract for warmth, or a pinch of cinnamon/cardamom for a spiced version.
- Sweeten with honey or maple syrup instead of sugar.
- Use orange extract as a convenient alternative to fresh orange (start with a small amount).
- Serve with biscotti, mini blueberry muffins, or my chocolate chip pecan cookies for dunking.
FAQs
Yes. Prepare the hot chocolate, let it cool, and store it in a sealed container. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave, stirring well. Use within 2 days.
Whole milk is the best choice for hot chocolate because it gives the richest, creamiest texture. You can use non-dairy options like oat or almond milk, but the drink will be lighter and less creamy.
Simmer the hot chocolate a little longer or add an extra spoon of chocolate. You can also mix in a small amount of cream for a richer texture.
More Cozy Winter Drinks
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📖 Recipe
Orange Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Hot Chocolate
- 1 orange
- 1 ¾ cups (420 ml) whole milk
- 1.75 oz (50 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chopped
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 2 teaspoons caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Garnish
- Orange zest
- Cocoa powder
- Orange slices
- Whipped cream optional
Instructions
- Peel the orange using a vegetable peeler (avoid the white pith) and add the peel to the milk for infusing. Then cut the peeled orange in half, squeeze out the juice, and reserve 2 tablespoons for later.
- Add the milk and the squeezed orange halves or peel to a pot. Bring to a gentle simmer on low heat, then take away from stove. Cover and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Take out the orange halves or peel and return the pot to the stove.
- Add the chopped chocolate, cinnamon powder, caster sugar, and cocoa powder. Whisk until everything is combined.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Do not boil.
- Lower the heat and stir in the fresh orange juice. Adding it at the end prevents curdling. Cook for 1 minute on low heat.
- Pour into mugs and top with cocoa powder and orange zest. Add an orange slice and whipped cream if you like. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- If you prefer using the squeezed orange halves instead of the peel, make sure all the juice is pressed out and there isn't much white pith left. Too much pith or leftover juice can make the milk bitter or cause curdling.
- Don't add the orange juice at the beginning or the milk will curdle.
- You can use store-bought fresh orange juice or a small amount of orange extract as a substitute. Start with a tiny amount of extract, as it can easily overpower the drink.
Nutrition
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