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Orange Hot Chocolate

Hot · Dark chocolate

Orange Hot Chocolate

Dark chocolate infused with fresh orange peel, like the classic holiday chocolate orange, in a mug.

Prep
10 min
Total
10 min
Serves
1
Calories
430

HotDark chocolateHoliday

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Infusing the milk with orange peel gives a bright, natural orange flavor without any extract.

Ingredients

1 serving

You’ll need: Small saucepan, Whisk

Method

  1. Warm the milk with a strip of orange peel until steaming; let steep 5 minutes, then remove the peel.

  2. Add the chopped chocolate, sugar and salt; whisk until melted.

  3. Pour into a mug and finish with orange zest.

Tips

  • Use a vegetable peeler to take only the orange part of the peel, not the bitter white pith.

Nutrition per serving, approximate

Calories
430
Protein
11g
Carbs
38g
Sugar
29g
Fiber
5g
Fat
26g
Caffeine
33mg

Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.

Variations

  • Spiced orange: Add a cinnamon stick and a star anise to the milk.

Nutrition at a glance

One serving has about 430 calories, 29 g sugar, 11 g protein and about 33 mg caffeine. Values are estimates from USDA data for the exact amounts listed; your chocolate brand and milk change them: check your version with our chocolate drink calorie calculator.

Storing and reheating

Leftover hot chocolate keeps in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, whisking well: the chocolate settles as it cools. A skin on top is normal; whisk it back in.

Choosing your chocolate

For drinks made with cocoa powder, Dutch-process gives a darker, smoother, mellower cup and natural cocoa a brighter, fruitier one. For melted chocolate, use a bar you’d enjoy eating: chips contain stabilizers that resist melting. See our cocoa and hot chocolate mix reviews and cocoa powder guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use orange extract?

Yes: ¼ teaspoon, added at the end.

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Gear for this recipe

Godiva Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for the richest dark-chocolate cup from a tin

Velvety and deeply chocolatey without being too sweet: the mix that tastes closest to melted dark chocolate. It’s pricey and often sells out in winter.

Type
Hot cocoa mix
Size
14.5 oz tin
Cost
about $1.30 per oz
Make with
With milk
From $18.50Check price Full review

Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for the best all-purpose cocoa for scratch hot chocolate

A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.

Type
Cocoa powder
Size
8 oz
Cost
about $1 per oz
Make with
Make from scratch
From $8Check price Full review

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