Better than your local cafe. Gourmet hot chocolates at home

Have you ever wished that you could create the indulgence of a gourmet hot chocolate like your favourite cafe?

What if we told you that you can have a hot chocolate, at home, better than any other you've ever had at any cafe!

Having owned a cafe where our hot chocolates had a cult following — purely due to the chocolate we used — we know the secret recipe. And we are going to share it with you...

The secret... only use real Belgian chocolate shavings! Some places may use Belgian chocolate, but in callet form. Shavings melt quicker and somehow as a result give a creamier finish. And our milk chocolate shavings are uncompromised, being made from 34% couverture Belgian chocolate.

Gourmet Belgian hot chocolate recipe

First things first. Get some of our gourmet chocolate shavings. Then simply follow these simple steps to create the most amazing hot chocolate you'll ever try!

Stovetop:

1. Grab your favourite mug and fill it with chocolate shavings approximately 1/4 to 1/3 full
2. Place enough milk into a saucepan and heat until hot. Be careful not to boil the milk
3. Carefully, pour a little of the hot milk over the chocolate shavings and stir with a teaspoon to melt the chocolate
4. Recommended: Add marshmallows
5. Carefully, fill the mug with remaining hot milk and gently stir
6. Add a teaspoon of extra chocolate shavings over the top
7. Find and quiet spot so you can experience the best hot chocolate you've ever had!

Microwave:

1. Grab your favourite mug and fill it with chocolate shavings approximately 1/4 to 1/3 full
2. Add fresh milk until about half full and microwave, on high, for approximately 40-50 seconds
3. Remove from microwave and stir to melt the chocolate
4. Fill the mug 1cm from the top with fresh milk and microwave, on high, for approximately 50-60 seconds.
   Note: Watch closely to ensure the milk does not get too hot and bubble over
5. Remove the mug from the microwave with the handle and gently stir
6. Recommended: Add marshmallows
7. Return to the microwave and heat, on high, for a further 10-25 seconds to a suitable drinking temperature
8. Add a teaspoon of extra chocolate shavings over the top
9. Find and quiet spot so you can experience the best hot chocolate you've ever tried!

Barista:

1. Use a mug and fill it with chocolate shavings approximately 1/4 to 1/3 full
2. Froth milk using the steamer to 69℃ (slightly hotter than for a standard latte)
3. Pour steamed milk over the chocolate shaving until the mug is approximately 40% full and stir to melt the chocolate
4. Recommended: Add marshmallows
5. Fill the mug with steamed milk. Adding a heart-shaped design is totally appropriate!
6. Add a teaspoon of extra chocolate shavings over the top
7. Find and quiet spot so you can experience the best hot chocolate you've ever tried!

It doesn't stop there - if you feel adventurous, you can try adding cinnamon or chili or your own favourite flavour - just to spice things up a little more.

We use Callebaut 34% milk chocolate for our shavings, where the taste balances perfectly between cocoa and creamy flavours, revealing sweet, caramel hints.

What a great way to impress your guests by giving them the pleasure of a real Belgian hot chocolate.

Once you try making these hot chocolates, you will never make them with anything else ever again - we promise!