After exploring the snow in many layers of running gear, it seemed like the sort of day for hot chocolate. I rarely make or drink hot chocolate, not because I don't like it, but because usually I am just as happy with tea. However, with all the seasonal hot drinks advertised across winter, the idea of an orange hot chocolate lodged in my mind some time ago. Today the idea turned to reality.
I made this using three forms of chocolate (!), which, if you can do it, I recommend: dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and the orange flavoured sugar-free Choc Shot syrup. I am a little abashed to be mentioning Choc Shot again, but it is such a useful product that I do use it an awful lot. I ought to get some sort of sponsorship deal with the company. However, if you don't have access to the syrup I am listing a way to make this without it. My orange flavour came primarily from grated orange zest, but you could use orange extract / essence if that is easier.
One of the big pluses of living in the UK (vs. Australia) is access to vegan marshmallows, and that is especially true when drinking hot chocolate. If you don't have any, you could add some chocolate chips to the top of the drink or crumble in a vegan-friendly biscuit. Or, just enjoy the drink as it is. It is delicious enough to be quite satisfactory on its own.
Vegan orange hot chocolate
Perfect for winter days, or whenever you need comfort in a cup
Serves one
Vegan
Author: Bite-sized thoughts
Ingredients
1 cup (250ml) unsweetened almond milk, or non-dairy milk of choice
Grated zest of 1/2 orange
1 tsp cocoa powder
15g dark dairy-free chocolate + 1 - 2 tsp orange flavoured sugar-free Choc Shot syrup, OR, 20 - 25g dark dairy-free chocolate + 1 tsp agave, rice malt syrup or maple syrup
Vegan marshmallows, optional, for topping
Method
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over low-medium heat, stirring regularly, until well-combined and hot.
Serve with marshmallows if using.
Submitted to Healthy Vegan Fridays.
Hot Chocolate ans snow go so well together, Kari...I just haven't been able to warm up to chocolate and orange quite yet. I know it's very popular these days but for some reason it just doesn't agree with me. I may just omit the orange and make us a couple of mugs of hot chocolate even if it isn't snowing; yet:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Kari...
It's funny how different people like different pairings - I love orange chocolate in regular chocolate form too, but I know it's not for everyone. Luckily plain hot chocolate is delicious too :)
Deletethe snow looks lovely and perfect hot chocolate weather - I am not a huge hot chocolate fan but love it occasionally and we buy some powdered type in winter sometimes - I think the orange flavour sounds good to cut through the richness of chocolate
ReplyDeleteIt's probably not the right weather for you at the moment, if hot chocolate is an occasional enjoyment anyway :-) I'm glad you liked the snow pictuers though.
DeleteI was just thinking the other day about making hot chocolate - clearly something in the weather inspires it! I can completely understand the Choc Shot love too!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a versatile product! And being sugar free I figure it is justifiable to use at any time of day :D
DeleteI was so excited that it finally snowed. So much so that I went outside at 10pm in my pyjamas and ran around the road in it :)
ReplyDeleteI imagine you had a heartier snowfall too, being further north! Ours didn't fall until after I went to bed, but it was exciting to wake up to it :-)
DeleteNot so much snow here, but plenty of black ice.
ReplyDeleteI love the addition of orange to the hot chocolate - doesn't matter whether its a shot or zest, something soothing about Orange. I've been drinking hot orange juice infused with rosemary and a little sweetner, but now fancy a proper hot chocolate with orange!
Black ice is far less appealing. I'm glad I could offer you a hot chocolate idea to partially make up for it!
DeleteIt's definitely the weather for hot chocolate! I wasn't too keen on Choc Shot when I tried it a while ago, but I really like the idea of mixing it with other things to make the ultimate hot chocolate! And chocolate orange definitely sounds like a winner to me.
ReplyDeleteIt is probably helpful to not be too keen on it, because it is rather pricey and I go through bottles faster than one ought! :-)
DeleteI will admit that it is nowhere near cold where I am, but I'm really loving the idea of this drink. I love hot chocolate and I think your idea of adding orange zest is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this at Healthy Vegan Fridays - I'm pinning and sharing this. Your recipe is being featured this week!
Thanks so much Kim!
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ReplyDelete