On a cold winter evening, there is nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate, which will not only warm, but also bring a sense of celebration into everyday life, invigorate and soothe. Do you know where this divine drink came from?

It turns out that hot chocolate became known to mankind long before coffee or tea. The first written mention of drinks made from cocoa beans dates back to 770 BC. But chocolate came to Europe much later, in the 16th century. His recipe and cocoa beans were brought to Spain by Cortez in 1527. He himself, as the legend says, first tasted cold thick chocolate with vanilla, hot pepper and spices at a feast at the Aztec leader Montezuma, and he claimed that this drink was able to prolong youth and give wisdom.

The Aztecs called the miracle drink "chocolatl", and it was from this word that the name of this delicacy came from. In Europe, chocolate was prepared for a long time by monks: they made changes to its recipe, removing pepper and adding honey. They also pioneered the use of heating a beverage to dissolve its ingredients more quickly and completely. This is how hot chocolate was born. It differs from ordinary cocoa, first of all, in its composition: if the cocoa is prepared in water, then milk is used to make hot chocolate, spices (cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla) are added to the drink. Hot chocolate is thicker and richer than cocoa. But if you have cocoa powder at home, then you can easily, using our recipes, make a delicious chocolate drink and please your loved ones with its delicate, velvety taste.

"Chocolate drinks" - the best recipes

Nov 12, 2016

Chocolate is the most popular treat among children and adults. For a long time it was believed that only men were indifferent to him, but scientists from the UK have refuted this, as it turned out, myth.

As a result of the research, it turned out that half of all women surveyed cannot imagine themselves without a bar of chocolate, there were more such sweet tooth among men - two thirds of the total number of participants in the experiment.

I wonder what they would answer if they were asked not about a bar of chocolate, but about a hot drink? In Russia, unfortunately, this question would baffle many people - hot chocolate is a rarity on our table.

Maybe because we know little about him?

Origin story

Authors of the first cup hot chocolate became the legendary Maya. True, their drink was hot due to chili pepper (one of the ingredients of the drink), but in fact, ground cocoa beans were poured with cold water.

This recipe was later slightly modified by the Aztecs, adding sweet ingredients. History has preserved evidence that it was the favorite drink of Emperor Montezuma.

A recipe close to the modern one was born in Europe: sugar was used instead of chili, water was heated, and even cream was added.

What drink is called hot chocolate

This is a drink made from cocoa beans.... In different countries, they have adapted to do it in their own way, in accordance with national traditions. For example, the French have it liquid, like coffee. The Italians have it as thick as sour cream.

However, in both cases it is real chocolate, in which the cocoa (beans and butter) content is 55 to 75 percent.

These numbers must be borne in mind when, under the brand name of chocolate in bags, retail chains offer customers a mixture of different ingredients (check the label!), Which are very far from those from which you can brew a quality drink.

Composition

Hot chocolate includes three essential ingredients:

• cocoa beans;
• milk;
• sugar.

Can anything be changed in this "trio"? Can. For example, milk is sometimes replaced with boiled water if you want to make the drink "lighter".

And cocoa beans, which are not so easy to obtain, can be replaced by a bar of chocolate. Of course, not the first one that came across, but bitter, dark, high quality.

In addition to the "three whales" that hold the delicious drink, it sometimes includes vanilla, cinnamon, nuts, alcohol.

Benefit and harm

Hot chocolate was called "healing" in ancient times, doctors prescribed it to their patients for a variety of diseases. According to modern experts, chocolate is really useful:

• improves memory;
• enhances performance;
• useful in the season of colds as a general tonic;
• helps to overcome depression;
• activates the functions of the brain.

It should be used with caution by those who may have an allergic reaction to chocolate.

Besides, you can not drink this drink before bedtime - it excites the nervous system, which means there is a great risk of insomnia.

Hot chocolate recipes: how to make at home

You can cook chocolate at home, but so that the "first pancake" does not turn out lumpy, you need to learn several important rules:

• the best way to melt chocolate is in a water bath;
• to make the drink thick, it is prepared with starch;
• if you want to reduce calorie content - add water;
• looking for new sensations - prepare a drink with different additives (with caramel, ginger, pepper, cardamom, liqueur).

We talked about how to properly melt chocolate in a water bath (any possible options).

How to make classic chocolate

You will need a 100 gram chocolate bar and 400 ml of milk.

Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt. Then add milk, stirring the chocolate with a whisk.

Usually such a drink is flavored with vanilla.

"Romance"

Various ingredients are used for this drink, each with its own "recognizable" taste, so that in a mug of hot chocolate they make an original bouquet.

The classic version is taken as a basis, during cooking add a teaspoon of honey and vanilla syrup... Milk grated chocolate and a few fresh mint leaves are used as decoration.

"Everest"

The difference between the classic recipe and Everest is in the additives. At Everest it is cream and vanilla syrup. Decorates the drink "Slide" of chocolate ice cream and coconut flakes.

"Winter evening"

This recipe uses white chocolate (170 g), one chicken egg, 750 ml of milkas well as some cinnamon and hot peppers.

The chocolate is broken, melted in a water bath. When it has completely melted, add pepper, cinnamon and a frothy egg to the chocolate mass.

The milk is warmed up, cups are filled with them, and then chocolate mass is poured into each of them (as slowly as possible).

With marshmallows

Milk will need to take 200 ml, chocolate - 300 g (of which 100 g dark and 200 g milk). In the recipe used coffee... Which one you choose is a matter of taste, you can take instant one.

Milk is boiled together with an asterisk star anise. Coffee is brewed (50 ml). Put together coffee and milk and throw pieces of chocolate there.

It should dissolve completely (if necessary, the drink, if it is not hot enough, can be heated, but not boiled).

Stir, pour into cups and throw a few marshmallows into each ( It is better to take "marshmallows" white, without dyes).

You will find other recipes for coffee with marshmallows.

Thick Italian chocolate

Grated chocolate (110 g) and some milk are put on low heat to get a homogeneous mass. Then pour in all the milk that is required for this recipe (350 ml), stir thoroughly.

Add a tablespoon of cornstarch, which will add thickness to the drink, and besides that - a little vanilla, cinnamon and salt. The thickened drink is poured into cups and decorated with whipped cream.

Serve with a glass of slightly warmed milk.

Soluble

True fans of hot chocolate do not advise using ready-made instant powder of industrial production as a basis for a drink. He will not give the same taste sensations that can be obtained while enjoying a natural product.

The only exceptions are proven brands that guarantee natural taste (for example, hot instant chocolate from Fit Parad).

If you're just saving time by buying instant drink, do it differently. Do you have a coffee machine? Did you know that most of them have a chocolate making function? The device will make it for you at its best.

With white chocolate

In addition to white chocolate (40 g), you need to take a little black (20 g), milk - 180 ml and 50 ml of high-fat cream.

In this recipe nut mass is used, which must be prepared with your own hands: pour the hazelnuts onto a baking sheet and put in the oven for a few minutes. A golden color means the nuts are ready. They need to be peeled and crushed.

Pour milk into a saucepan, add nuts, bring to a boil. After removing from heat, let it brew for an hour. Then the milk is filtered, and the nuts are used to make some kind of dessert.

Add chocolate, cream, vanillin and salt to the milk, put on fire.

With chili

Sometimes this version of hot chocolate is called "Spanish"... To prepare it, you need cocoa powder (100 g), a couple of chili pods, and also vanilla, hazelnuts, almonds, anise, sugar.

All ingredients are poured with boiling water and left to infuse for two hours, then filtered and whipped in a blender.

Here's another interesting hot chocolate recipe:

Calorie content

A sweet tooth is always worried about the question: how many calories are contained in a dessert that they want to try.

Hot chocolate is not a very high-calorie product; even those who are worried about their figure can afford it.

The average calorie content of 100 g is 149 kcal... If the drink is prepared with various additives and with a lot of sugar, the figure will, of course, be higher.

For example, in 100 g of hot chocolate "Makkofe" - 390 kcal.

The technology for preparing drinks is different: chocolate is prepared with hot milk (it should help melt the hard pieces), cocoa powder is diluted in cold milk, and then poured into hot and boiled for about 10 minutes.

Top brands

The Russian company "Art Life" supplies the market with chocolate under the name "Sweet Woman" and claims that it contains "hormones of happiness."

As a children's product, the company "Ecologica" produces a delicious drink "Chukka". Tassimo hot chocolate can be purchased in capsules.

Italian manufacturers are proud of their Ristora brand, while the French are proud of Monbana.

Among the leaders are also the products of DeMarco, Favorite, MacChocolate, Fit Parad, Nestle.

Is it possible for pregnant and lactating mothers

Chocolate is an allergenic product, for pregnant women and nursing mothers - undesirable.

Medicine knows cases when babies were born with a rash (a sign of allergies), and the reason for this was the woman's improper diet during pregnancy.

According to doctors, a woman can afford hot chocolate only during the first trimester of pregnancywithout causing potential harm to the child.

For babies, chocolate eaten or drunk by a mother can be dangerous not only as an allergen. The caffeine in chocolate, firstly, has an exciting effect on the baby's body, the child does not sleep well and is capricious, and, secondly, it increases gas formation, and this is painful sensations and anxiety for the baby.

Earlier we wrote about whether it is possible for pregnant women in the early stages - v.

How to drink

Thick hot chocolate is poured into small espresso cupsserved with water in a tall glass. If the drink is not very thick, it is customary to pour it into an irish glass.

However, if you are more satisfied with a ceramic mug or bowl, why not? The French, for example, like to pour hot chocolate into a soup bowl to dip toast and croissants in it.

By the way, various pastries are a very good addition to this drink... Ice cream, fruit purees (for example, banana or strawberry), juices, cognac are also suitable.

If a treat is being prepared for guests, you can pour a little grated chocolate, marshmallow, cut into pieces into a cup.

A soft blanket, a rocking chair, a fire in the fireplace and hot chocolate - this is the perfect winter evening, when it's freezing and blizzard outside. Together with aromatic coffee, tea and mulled wine, hot chocolate can be attributed to those drinks that soften our harsh winters. This drink will warm you after a long walk in the cold or invigorate after sledding or skiing.

Forget about chocolate instant powders from stores and cook a few mugs of homemade hot chocolate yourself from simple ingredients, taking into account all the nuances and subtleties of making this delicious warming drink known to us. We are happy to share with you the recipes for making hot chocolate at home.

The traditional recipe for hot chocolate necessarily includes cocoa, as well as sugar and milk. But we will tell you how to make hot chocolate without milk and sugar, replacing these products with less nutritious ingredients. This makes homemade spiced hot chocolate a great way to round off your Christmas dinner.

Ingredients for 2 servings:

• 400 ml plant milk (or, if desired, cow's milk)
• 70 g dark chocolate
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• mini marshmallow
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 star anise
• 1 teaspoon orange peel
• 1 cardamom seed.

Preparation:

Heat milk in a saucepan and add spices. Bring to a boil, turn off the heat, close the lid tightly and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Then strain the milk broth, pour it back into the pot, add chocolate and cocoa and heat until they are completely dissolved, stirring constantly. Pour into cups and add marshmallows. It turns out a very tasty and aromatic chocolate drink!

Orange hot chocolate with marshmallows

Hot chocolate with orange and marshmallow is the drink of the season that will create a feeling of comfort and tranquility. It is very easy to make orange hot chocolate at home.

Ingredients:

• 100 g dark chocolate
• ½ l skim milk
• ½ orange zest
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp mini marshmallow.

Preparation:

Pour milk into a saucepan and crush a bar of chocolate into squares. Dissolve it in milk over low heat, stirring all the time. Then add brown sugar and orange zest. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly. Then strain the drink into cups and add the mini marshmallow immediately. Sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon if desired and enjoy!

There is nothing better than real homemade hot chocolate. Nougat will enhance the pleasant creamy taste of this drink.

Ingredients for 1 serving:

• 130 ml milk
• 20 gr dark chocolate 70% with nuts and raisins
• 2 pieces of nougat.

Preparation:

Pour milk into a saucepan, add chocolate and nougat. Put on fire and keep until the ingredients are completely dissolved, stir constantly. Then strain the drink and serve immediately! Nuts and dried fruits from a chocolate bar will add a pleasant taste and aroma to the drink.

Chocolate coffee drink with cream

This recipe uses coffee syrup to sweeten the bitter cocoa drink. Whipped cream gives the cocktail a coffee-and-cream flavor.

Ingredients for two cups:

• 200 ml milk
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp. l coffee syrup
• 5 ml well chilled cream.

Preparation:

Heat the milk over low heat and add the bitter cocoa. Whisk the milk together until the cocoa is completely dissolved. Meanwhile, whip the cream until it forms a foam. Stop when the cream is thick, creamy. Pour the diluted cocoa and milk into cups, add the coffee syrup and whipped cream. Enjoy your hot drink!

The French add vanilla and cream to this recipe. Cream gives the drink a slightly velvety texture, vanilla gives a very pleasant aroma. Optionally, the cocoa can be sweetened.

Ingredients:

• 200 ml cream
• 200 ml milk
• 4 tbsp lightly sweetened cocoa powder
• 30 g dark confectionery chocolate 70%
• 1 vanilla pod
• sugar (optional).

Preparation:

Take a vanilla pod and remove the seeds. Pour milk into a saucepan, add vanilla and put on fire. Add cream as the liquid warms up. When the milk comes to a boil, remove it from the heat, cover with a lid and let it brew for 25-30 minutes. After this time, strain the vanilla milk to remove the pod and froth. Add cocoa and chocolate to the liquid, as well as sugar (optional), put on medium heat and stir until the ingredients are completely dissolved. Remove the drink from heat when the mixture is smooth. Pour into cups and serve!

Japanese pearl chocolate

Japanese coconut milk chocolate bead recipe has an unusual texture. Pearls swell when in liquid, making the consistency thick.

Ingredients for 4-6 servings:

• 50 g Japanese chocolate pearls (or tapioca)
• 50 g dark chocolate
• 70 g icing sugar
• 400 ml coconut milk
• 400 ml milk
• coconut flakes for decoration.

Preparation:

Heat coconut milk, milk, sugar and chocolate over low heat. When it boils, add the pearls from Japan and mix thoroughly for 30 minutes. Cook over medium heat. When the granules become translucent and soft, pour the drink into glasses, sprinkle with coconut and let cool for 1-1.5 hours.

This drink is the perfect dessert for both adults and children. Italian hot chocolate has a specific recipe. To give the drink the required thickness, arrowroot or starch is traditionally added to it. Italian-style hot chocolate is very easy to make at home.

Ingredients:

• 150 ml cream or milk
• 60 gr dark chocolate 70%
• 1 tsp arrowroot or starch
• 1 tbsp cane sugar
• a pinch of orange peel.

Preparation:

Chop the chocolate. Mix arrowroot and 2 tablespoons in a glass. cream. Pour the remaining cream into a saucepan, put on fire and bring to a boil. Then add the arrowroot and cane sugar and cook for about 1 minute, until the mixture begins to thicken. Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate until the mixture is smooth. Pour the drink into cups, sprinkle with orange zest on top and serve immediately!

Drink hot chocolate to keep warm in the winter cold. Enjoy your meal!

To prepare two cups of the drink you will need: - 200 g of dark chocolate, - 50 ml of milk; - 1 tablespoon of sugar; - 1 tablespoon of starch.

Break the chocolate bar into pieces. Place them in a saucepan and melt in a water bath. Add milk. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, add 1 spoon of sugar. If the drink is not sweet to your taste, add more sugar. Chocolate goes well with it.

Add starch to make the drink thick and gooey. Dissolve a spoonful of the product in a little cold water, stir the starch until there are no lumps. Pour it into the chocolate in a thin stream with constant stirring. Mix the mixture thoroughly and bring to a boil. Then remove from heat and pour into nice cups. This divine drink is drunk only from beautiful porcelain dishes.

Chocolate with cinnamon

Spices give a wonderful and unique aroma to the drink. To prepare hot chocolate according to this recipe, you will need: - 1 bar of dark chocolate; - 350 ml of milk; - 150 ml of 20% cream; - 2 cinnamon sticks.

Stir milk and cream, put them on low heat, bring the mixture to a boil. But don't let it boil.

An exquisite, sweet and aromatic drink with spices added to your taste will give you real pleasure in the early morning and before bedtime, or on a weekend when you gather with your loved ones. So, I bring to your attention several popular recipes for an exquisite drink.

French Chocolate Drink Recipe

To create a delicious chocolate drink, which in ancient times only the nobility dabbled, take 4 cups of warm water and pour them into a metal bowl, add 100 g of black grated premium chocolate there. When the sweetness melts, place the drink on the stove.

The sweet chocolate mass should dissolve but not burn, so use moderate heat or the lowest heat on an electric oven. When the mass has melted, pour in 3 more bowls of water.

Let the sweet drink boil, but remember to stir. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for another 10 minutes. Remove the chocolate drink from the stove and whisk thoroughly using a whisk. If you are a sweet tooth, you can add sugar to taste.

You can make hot chocolate with milk, if you do not have lactose intolerance, you love milk, then feel free to experiment. In this case, melt the chocolate in boiling water. Only after that, feel free to pour milk into the drink only in a warm form.

When the drink has become homogeneous, delicious and aromatic, boil it, whisk thoroughly and you can enjoy its hot taste of chocolate with milk.

How to make a Viennese chocolate drink?

This mysterious recipe is completely different from the previous one in taste. And the method of its preparation is different. The first step in cooking is using the French method described above.

After that, you should add 3 egg yolks to the drink (it is important that the eggs are the freshest), mix the resulting mass and put on the stove with low heat. The mass should become thick, but exclude the possibility of boiling. Pour hot chocolate drink into bowls and garnish with crème fraîche. To your taste!

Viennese chocolate with whipped cream

Take 150 g of chocolate and 1 cup of water. Dissolve the sweetness in the water. Heat 5 minutes over medium heat and pour 4 cups of milk into the drink. Pour the drink into bowls. On top you can garnish the chocolate drink with whipped cream and sprinkle with vanilla sugar or powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Do you like hot sensations and spicy things? And if you, unfortunately, caught a cold, then you should immediately demand this drink in bed! It is divinely delicious and just maddening.

And also, your feelings will simply go off scale, this drink causes a real storm of emotions! But it's worth enjoying it!

If you like mildly spicy, remove the chili before all other ingredients. This will reduce the severity. Bon appétit!

Finely grind dark chocolate with a grater - 100 g. Cut 1 vanilla pod and 1/2 chili into 2 parts, take 1 cinnamon stick and place all 3 components in a 400 ml container with milk. Heat over a fire, but do not simmer. Pour in the chocolate, let it simmer on the stove for 10 minutes. Then remove the spices, remove from the stove, add sugar to taste andpour in quality cognac in the amount of 1 tbsp. Pour the hot chocolate drink into bowls. You can decorate the magic drink of the gods with whipped cream and sprinkle with cocoa powder. Enjoy it, don't get burned!

The drink is quite angry, but so tasty that it is impossible to tear yourself away. I personally tried it! I am delighted with it!

Well, how tempting does it sound? And how divinely delicious it is! The aroma of chocolate makes your head dizzy, and the taste of an excellent chocolate drink is a real delight. This drink will warm you on a cool summer day, in the winter cold, make your soul warm when you are in a bad mood and allow you to take a sip with pleasure. After such a wonderful drink, a charge of cheerfulness and optimism, a feeling of peace are guaranteed to you!

What else could be better than a lovingly hot, heart-to-heart chocolate drink?