This is a quick n' easy orange hot chocolate to change up the usual hot cocoa routine. The winter weather is finally setting in here with rain and very cool temperatures, it calls for a nice mug of hot cocoa! I love orange and chocolate together and set out to come up with a hot cocoa using this combination. After doing a bit of research on orange hot chocolate, using orange juice is not typical, usually a bit of orange extract is added or even orange flavored liqueur (which sound pretty good too on certain occasions!). Since I happen to only have some oranges on hand, I decided that would do perfectly fine. And it did! Using orange juice instead of flavoring will also give you the added benefit of vitamin C with your cocoa. Add in the cinnamon & ginger and you have yourself a nicely flavored hot cocoa. I even love this without the ginger, using just cinnamon. Use the spices to your liking and preference. For a bit of heat, you may consider adding a dash of cayenne powder. The toppings can be changed up to whatever you like or have on hand. So next time you're thinking about having a cup of hot chocolate give this version a try, I think you'll love it too!
ORANGE & SPICE HOT COCOA
Ingredients
- 3 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup 100% pure orange juice
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup raw sugar, pure maple syrup or coconut nectar/sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- pinch of salt
garnish options:
- whipped coconut cream
- sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder
- mini chocolate chips
- shaved dark chocolate
- orange zest
- vegan marshmallows
In a small/medium saucepan, heat milk and orange juice over medium-low heat. Add cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and pinch of salt, stir until cocoa is completely dissolved. Turn heat to low to keep cocoa warm until ready to serve.
Serve in individual cups topped with any garnish you like. I added coconut cream, dusted with cocoa powder and topped with orange zest.
Serves 2 - 3.
Notes:
Feel free to use water in place of non-dairy milk or use a combo of water & milk equally 3 cups.
For the orange juice, use fresh squeezed or bottled (no pulp to medium pulp pref). If using fresh squeezed, you may like to strain the pulp before using.
Make your 1/4 cup of cocoa heaping if you like a little extra chocolate flavor.
For the orange juice, use fresh squeezed or bottled (no pulp to medium pulp pref). If using fresh squeezed, you may like to strain the pulp before using.
Make your 1/4 cup of cocoa heaping if you like a little extra chocolate flavor.