Orange Hot Chocolate Recipe

When it gets cold outside, all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a warm beverage. And let's be honest: Nothing beats a mug that's filled to the brim with hot cocoa and whipped cream. It's safe to say we love hot chocolate for plenty of reasons, but the simple fact that kids and adults alike can savor this treat is one of our favorite parts about it. (After all, tis' the season to cherish quality time with loved ones, right?)

There are several different ways to whip up hot cocoa, and this orange twist is something you didn't know you needed in your life. Recipe developer Ting Dalton of Cook Simply came up with this tasty recipe that'll make any cold day so much cozier. "There's hot chocolate, and then there's this hot chocolate," Dalton says. "Utterly creamy, utterly decadent, and really chocolatey — [you'll never] want to make hot chocolate any other way ... this is for all chocolate lovers looking to treat themselves." Are you drooling yet? Because we are! "It really is worth the extra effort to make hot chocolate this way. My whole family loves it," Dalton shares. So, if you're ready to upgrade your hot chocolate game, keep reading to find out how to make this delicious treat.

Ready to make some of the best hot chocolate you've ever tasted? If so, you will need to head to the grocery store and grab all of the ingredients necessary to make this delightful, seasonal beverage.

Start with a few cups of milk, and while you're in the dairy aisle, pick up heavy cream. Since this is orange hot cocoa, you will need an orange for zest and juice. Next, pick up some dark chocolate, followed by dark brown sugar. There are optional ingredients like whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and orange zest for serving and the most aesthetically pleasing presentation. Once you have all of those items, you're ready to get started.

Now that you have all of your ingredients at the ready, it's time to whip up this tasty beverage. There are only a few simple steps to follow to bring this festive drink to life, and it will save you time and money without having to order it out.

First, take out a medium-sized saucepan, and place it on your stovetop. At this time, you will want to add the milk and cream. Turn the heat up to medium, and continue heating until the milk gets hot. This shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Now that the milk has gotten hot, go ahead and toss in the dark brown sugar first. "The added sugar helps to make the hot chocolate a little sweeter, but you can leave it out if you don't want it," Dalton notes. Then, add the orange juice. If you're not feeling the orange, Dalton notes, "You can infuse with other flavors, too, including fresh mint. Just add fresh mint leaves to the milk and cream, and let infuse for 10 to 15 minutes for a gorgeous mint hot chocolate. Or, use mint chocolate instead."

Last but not least, add in the chocolate. Use a whisk to mix the new ingredients with the milk.

Continue whisking the ingredients together until the chocolate has melted and the hot chocolate is creamy and smooth. Dalton also provides a few great tips on the chocolate. "How to do chocolate shavings? Grate chocolate pieces with a fine grater," she notes. As far as the type of dark chocolate you should use, Dalton says, "I am a fan of dark chocolate, so I like to go for 60% to 80% cocoa solids. If you're not a fan of dark chocolate, you can use milk, but hold back on the sugar."

The only thing left to do is to serve the hot chocolate to your lucky guests. Dalton recommends serving the hot cocoa in small cups and topping each with whipped cream, orange zest, and chocolate shavings. "Drink it warm. [This treat is] perfect for winter weather and the festive season," Dalton shares. We also think it would be wonderful with a cookie for dipping!

If you have any leftovers (which is highly unlikely), Dalton notes, "You could certainly keep it in the refrigerator for up to two to three days, and then reheat thoroughly before drinking. Don't dress with cream or shavings if you do this."