6 delicious hot drink recipes using Sephra chocolate

‘Tis the season for hot chocolate!

Fall approaches and soon Halloween passes. Thanksgiving looms ahead, then comes Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve – bringing forth a parade of holiday celebrations to plan and enjoy!

The weather changes and the beautiful colors of Autumn blow away in the crisp wind. Soon the ground is white with snow and the temperatures chilly and cold.

At this time of year, nothing is more comforting than cuddling up in front of the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

And hot chocolate is always welcome – and often ‘life saving’ – at outdoor events you may be catering.

Here, we pimp up traditional hot chocolate by using Sephra chocolate.

Belgian or Premium?

When it comes to choosing your chocolate, it can be confusing.

But while both Sephra Belgian and Sephra Premium chocolate are delicious, Belgian chocolate has a reputation for a reason.

It really is the most luxurious chocolate money can buy. It will also earn you extra kudos from your customers.

That said, don’t feel like you are short-changing them by using Premium chocolate. Premium is every bit as good – just not world-renowned in the same way Belgian is.

The main difference is that one is imported from Belgium and the other is manufactured in the USA – hence the cost savings.

They are both couverture chocolate – made with the finest quality natural ingredients.

Sephra Belgian chocolate comes in Milk, Dark and White varieties, while Premium is available as Milk or Dark.

They both come in different sizes, from 2lb bags to 20lb cases and larger (see bulk quantities).

If you’re a caterer or food service professional, you’ll likely need the 20lb case.

But if you’re going to use the chocolate for baking at home, a 2lb or 4lb bag will likely suffice.

Whichever chocolate you choose, here are our top 6 hot chocolate recipes which can be made with either Sephra Belgian or Sephra Premium.

Basic Hot Chocolate

(Makes 4 servings)

You will need: 

• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups Half-and-Half
• 1 cup Sephra Belgian Dark Chocolate
• 1 teaspoon sugar

To make:

To make the basic hot chocolate, combine milk with Half-and-Half in a large saucepan.

Warm over medium-low heat (milk will scorch, so don’t heat it on high heat).

Stir in the chocolate chips. Stir until chips are melted (there will be some chocolate particles in the mixture).

Add the sugar, if you’d like it sweeter.

This makes the perfect cup of Hot Chocolate and it needs nothing more than maybe a dollop of whipping cream or a few mini marshmallows to top it off.

*Note: A crock pot works well for larger crowds or, like I often do, heat the milk and cream in the microwave.

Gourmet Hot Chocolate

There are lots of little things you can do to create a “gourmet” cup of hot cocoa.

You will probably want to try all 5 of our gourmet recipes below… after all, somebody has to ‘taste test’ them!

Orange Hot Chocolate

• Start with the Basic Hot Chocolate recipe
• Add 4 large strips of orange rind to the milk mixture before you start heating
• The orange flavor will infuse the milk and add a nice citrusy note to the finished cup

Raspberry Hot Chocolate

• Start with the basic recipe
• Add 3 tablespoons Raspberry Syrup to each cup of hot chocolate
• Before serving, top with whipped cream and a couple of fresh berries

Pretty to look at and oh, so good!

Peppermint Patty Hot Chocolate

• Start with the basic recipe
• Drop 1 or 2 mini Peppermint Patties into your cup before adding the hot milk. (They are amazing when they melt).
• You can also use peppermint extract, but be careful… that stuff is strong!

Mexican Hot Chocolate

• Start with the basic recipe
• Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Add a tiny pinch of chili powder to the mug before you stir in the hot milk mixture
• Use a whole cinnamon stick as a ‘stir stick’

If you have never tried Mexican Hot Chocolate before – it’s delicious!

You can also use Sephra Milk Chocolate in any of the above recipes. The end result will be a sweeter finished cup of hot chocolate.

Brandy Alexander White Hot Chocolate (Adults Only) 

Yields about 4 servings.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups milk
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 oz. or ¾ cup Sephra White Chocolate
• 1/3 cup Brandy
• ¼ cup Crème de cacao
• ½ teaspoon vanilla

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat milk to simmer (again over low heat; being careful not to scorch).

Remove from heat and add the Sephra white chocolate.

Whisk to melt chips, then stir in the brandy, crème de cacao and vanilla.

Fill mugs ¾ full and top off with whipped cream and white chocolate chips or shavings. Enjoy!

(But remember…no sleigh driving)