Thinking About Mexican Hot Chocolate and Mulled Cider

/ TaMara

The Day of the Dead festivities last month gave me an opportunity to sample several different versions of Mexican Hot Chocolate.  I wanted to like it, but so far, have been unimpressed.  Most were too sweet and not spicy enough.  So now I’m on a search for the perfect mixture.  Instant mixes seem to be the worst offenders, so I will try a couple of recipes I’ve found.  I’m looking for a darker chocolate, more spice and less sugar.  I’ll keep you informed of my progress.

Also on the hot drink train of thought, I’m going to try my hand at mulling cider this holiday.  Never done it before and really want to give it a try.  I’ll probably start with a mulling kit, see what that’s like and then come up with my own blend of spices as I get a feel for what I prefer. 

It’s snowing here again today and I have a full day, but I will try and get back and put up another quick dinner recipe for these busy days.  Until then….

2 thoughts on “Thinking About Mexican Hot Chocolate and Mulled Cider”

  1. How ‘original’ and ‘less sweet’ do you want? (grin)

    1 cup water.
    1 chili pepper, halved, stemmed and seeded.
    1 square (one ounce) unsweetened baking chocolate.
    2 tablespoons honey.
    1 cup heavy cream.
    1/2 tsp vanilla extract.

    Put pepper in water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Remove and discard pepper.
    Add chocolate and stir till melted.
    Move to mixing bowl and add honey, dairy, and vanilla.
    Beat till frothy.

    Notes:
    1) if not sweet enough, add more honey.
    2) A vanilla bean tastes better but is too much for this single serving. If you increase the recipe and use the bean, boil and remove it with the chili pepper.
    3) You can use milk or half and half, it’ll just not be as rich.
    4) This is a bastardized variation of the Aztec drink. To go there remove the dairy and add an ounce of cocoa butter (if you can find it). Yes, that means only one cup of liquid. Sweetening may or may not be from the time depending on which reference you trust.

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