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Orange White Hot Chocolate

A decadent and creamy winter beverage blending rich melted white chocolate with the bright, zesty flavors of fresh orange, topped with whipped cream and a luxurious chocolate drip.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 mugs
Course: Beverage, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Winter
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Hot Chocolate Base
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 oz high-quality white chocolate bar finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh orange zest tightly packed
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 tsp orange extract optional
  • 1 pinch sea salt
Garnish
  • 2 tbsp white chocolate chips melted, for the rim
  • 0.5 cup whipped cream
  • 2 slices fresh orange
  • 1 tsp orange zest or sugar crystals for sprinkling

Equipment

  • Heavy-bottomed saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Fine mesh sieve
  • Clear glass mugs

Method
 

  1. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine whole milk, heavy cream, and fresh orange zest until steaming but not boiling.
  2. Remove from heat, cover, and let the orange zest steep in the hot milk for 5-10 minutes.
  3. Optional: Strain the milk through a fine mesh sieve to remove the zest pieces, then return liquid to the saucepan.
  4. Place over low heat and whisk in the finely chopped white chocolate and sea salt until completely melted and smooth.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and orange extract.
  6. Dip the rim of glass mugs into melted white chocolate to create drips down the sides.
  7. Pour the hot chocolate into the mugs, top generously with whipped cream, extra orange zest, and an orange slice. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not use standard white chocolate chips for the drink base as they contain stabilizers that prevent them from melting smoothly into the milk. Always use a high-quality baking bar.