How to make perfect homemade hot chocolate

Winter is here.

I can smell it, I can feel it, and when it comes to this mug of Wintry deliciousness, I can definitely taste it.

This comes from me to you, all in the glorious name of chocolate.

Check out this amazing gallery for the step-by-step picture recipe.

First: Make Basic Hot Chocolate Sauce

Serves 2 | Preparation time 15 minutes

What you’ll need:

250g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

What to do:

1. Over a double boiler, melt the chocolate pieces, remove from the heat and stir gently until the mixture is silky.

Second: Add Your creamy flavoured milk.

Try some of these luscious flavours to take things to the next level.

The Exotic One

What you’ll need:

200ml cream
200ml milk
4 cardamom pods (‘bruise’ them by squashing genly in a pestle and mortar or with the back of a spoon so that they crack open and release their flavour)
½ cinnamon stick
½tsp vanilla paste
3-4 cloves.

What to do:

In a medium-sized pot or microwave-proof jug, add the spices and the cream/milk and heat until just before boiling point.  During this time, spoon 3-4 Tbsp melted chocolate into each of your two mugs.
Then divide the heated cream/milk mixture into each mug, pouring through a sieve to catch the spices.
Stir and enjoy.

The Spicy One

What you’ll need:
200ml cream
200ml milk
½ tsp dried chilli flakes.

What to do:
In a medium-sized pot or microwave-proof jug, add the chilli flakes and the cream/milk and heat until just before boiling point.  During this time, spoon 3-4 Tbsp melted chocolate into each of your two mugs.
Then divide the heated cream/milk mixture into each mug, pouring through a sieve to catch the chilli flakes.
Stir and enjoy.

The Orange-y One

What you’ll need:
200ml cream
200ml milk
½ tsp orange essence.

What to do:
In a medium-sized pot or microwave-proof jug, add the orange essence and the cream/milk and heat until just before boiling point. 
During this time, spoon 3-4 Tbsp melted chocolate into each of your two mugs.
Then divide the heated cream/milk mixture into each mug.
Stir and enjoy.

Cooks notes:

* You can also use all milk and no cream for a slightly more calorie-friendly version.

* Enjoy it straight up using plain heated milk for some good old fashioned-ness.