Decadent Hot Chocolate with Amaretto
Craving something warm and a bit fancy to combat winter cold? This Decadent Hot Chocolate with Amaretto does the trick; it is heavenly.
It’s Progressive Eats time; when my food blogging buddies get together with me for our monthly adventure where we share our dishes for a meal with a theme. This month our newest member, Susan Pridmore from the blog The Wimpy Vegetarian, wanted to host a Weekend Ski Party. Seems that would be calling for a Decadent Hot Chocolate with Amaretto doesn’t it?
Of course Susan decided that before anyone knew that the Northeast would be engulfed in snow AND the Super Bowl would be televised on Sunday so between the notion of skiing, football or being stuck inside and desperately needing sustenance to combat the cold; we’ve got you covered for any of those adventures!
Not enough? January 31st is National Hot Chocolate Day and this would be perfect!
Living near ski country does not mean that I ski; as a matter of fact a ruptured disk in my back the year after I moved here guaranteed it would never happen but I’m not adverse to visiting ski areas and keeping the sofa warm while friends brave the cold.
A good book, a warm fire and a great view of the slopes works for me…and a great, warming cocktail while I’m enjoying those makes for a perfect day. I’ve had some great cocktails that warm the soul on the coldest of days but I don’t think anything evokes the perfect beverage for winter, snow or skiing quite like hot chocolate.
And this hot chocolate? Well, it’s delicious chocolate, mixed with Amaretto, and then topped with whipped cream and toasted chopped almonds. Yes I would have to say it’s TOTALLY DECADENT!!
With some irony there have been two discussions I’ve been privy to on Facebook discussing the word decadent and some of that discussion has centered on dictionary descriptions that are a far cry from the meaning I attribute to it.
Over the top, sinfully good, beyond delicious, all words that evoke something that is not the norm, that exceeds expectations. That is this drink and a quick peek at the ingredients make it very clear why.
The title is Totally Decadent Hot CHOCOLATE with Amaretto, not Totally Decadent Hot COCOA with Amaratto…ah, c’est la difference!! Hot Chocolate typically uses bittersweet chocolate that is melted to achieve the richness; hot cocoa is just that; it’s made with dry cocoa and milk. I not saying it’s not good, but once you try this, you will know the difference and you may never go back!
I’ve had this rich and dreamy confection once before at a downtown outdoor event during the winter, you know when your feet are so cold you can hardly feel them. And I recall it as a rich, warm drink that almost made that pain disappear. I don’t plan to test my version in bitter cold again but with a bit of Amaretto liqueur in the mix…well, a bit more warmth never hurt anyone right?
Looking for some guidance to make my own version; I searched and found this article on BuzzFeed featuring Jacques Torres recipe for hot chocolate. And you know what? Don’t hit me but I don’t agree with it. I don’t want to add either dry milk or cornstarch to my hot chocolate; I was looking more for an idea of quantity of milk versus chocolate but not this!
So I just started combining until I found my own nirvana and not a speck of anything dry to be found. Maybe Amaretto made mine smooth and silky without the dry ingredients I decided to forgo. (No? Let’s pretend then, OK?).
This stuff is RICH. Which of course is why I topped it with whipping cream! But really the whipping cream is a great foil for the hot chocolate; the two together make for the perfect sip or as I found, the perfect bite.
I did use a spoon; it was just that kind of drink. I included some of the hot chocolate mixture in the whipping cream and loved it; topping the completed drink with toasted almonds was the perfect accent that not only highlighted the Amaretto but in a nutshell (HA!) made for a great presentation. That matters!
Skiing or not, snow or not, football or not…this is a must have. Make one for yourself and those you love; and then send them off skiing while you sip in front of the fire. But before that? Make sure you check out all the wonderful dishes and drinks from my friends that are listed below. I only wish we could really get together and party; this menu sounds divine!
PIN IT! ‘Decadent Hot Chocolate with Amaretto’
Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a progressive dinner party. This month’s theme is Weekend Ski Party and is hosted by Susan Pridmore who blogs at The Wimpy Vegetarian. Don’t consider yourself snowed in…consider it a party!
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats, a theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out.
Join Us for a Weekend Ski Party!
Appetizers
Drinks
Soup
Main Course
Bread
Veggies/Side Dishes
Desserts
Totally Decadent Hot Chocolate with Amaretto
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 10 ounces good-quality milk chocolate coarsely chopped
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 Tbsp dried espresso
- ¼ cup Amaretto
For the Whipping Cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
- ¼ cup of hot chocolate mixture cooled
For Garnish
- Toasted chopped almonds
Instructions
- Combine the milk, cream and chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook until simmering; whisking until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the vanilla and espresso and whisk until incorporated. Just bring to a boil and turn off heat.
- Add the Amaretto and whisk in. Remove 1/4 cup of mixture and allow to cool. Keep hot chocolate covered on low heat.
- Whip cream on high until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar and chocolate mixture and mix thoroughly. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Fill mugs just above halfway with hot chocolate and top with whipped cream.
- Garnish with toasted almonds.
wow! It sounds too yummy, loved it. I will try it in the upcoming weekend. Thank you so much for sharing valuable content.
This is best looking hot chocolate I have ever seen!
Made this drink for my wife after dinner and she loved it. Thanks for sharing and loved your photos!
Oh wow – I wish I could have one right now! I have a similar glass, and somehow it is so much more fun than drinking hot chocolate from a mug!
This is like a mix between hot chocolate and a candy bar. So thick and rich and, well, why it is in little glasses. 🙂
Where can I purchase this beautiful clear glass mug with the lowered handled?
I think I got these at HomeGoods which means I’m not sure since their inventory cycles in and out so quickly. So I did a search and found these at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Circleware-Pronto-Cappuccino-Mugs/dp/B0000DDV5Q?SubscriptionId=AKIAJIABNS3SLVTC4ONQ&tag=theemptypantry-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0000DDV5Q
Pricey too…but a quick search and all sites seem to lead to this same page; even one where they are supposedly offered for less than $25. You might just do some searching for cappuccino or Irish coffee mugs and see if you can find something less expensive. I love them but I’m thinking I only paid maybe $4-5/ea for the ones I have.
Good luck!
That looks so gorgeous! I am not a coffee person but I would love to give it a try at least for desserts. I love the toasted almonds for the garnish. Yum! 🙂
Oh my, I need to buy some amaretto. And milk chocolate. And ground espresso. Wow, that looks amazing. Thanks for creating and sharing it!
Thank you for stopping by Deirdre. It is quite amazing…and also pretty flexible. I’ll use Amaretto, Kahlua, Salted Caramel…any number of liqueurs that I love that have an affinity with chocolate.
This is the best looking and sounding hot chocolate I’ve ever had. I got hooked this winter on hot cocoa and Baileys, but this just puts that wanna-be drink to shame. Definitely making it this weekend since I’m in the mountains skiing for the few days 🙂 I’m so happy to be part of your Progressive Eats party group! Thanks so so much for making me feel so welcomed.
It is truly sort of over the top but isn’t that what a weekend away should be about? Wish we could share some but lacking that, glad you’ve joined us!
Oh My Barb, these look amazing. I love “real” hot chocolate and never have it without whipped cream, but the almonds are pure genius. You never fail to amaze us and this is another winner!
Oh gee whiz thanks Jane…you really are too sweet. But I’ll take it and say thank you very much. 🙂
Now that’s what you call a real tummy warmer, perfect for settling into after a day of skiing!
Yes…and would definitely needed to be balanced with some healthier choices during the day in order to allow this absolute decadence right? 🙂
Now this is my idea of the perfect hot chocolate! And I especially like that you used chocolate rather than dry powdered cocoa. I can just imagine the difference it makes.
It is hard to explain but it’s not far from sipping melted chocolate; it’s that bad/good. 🙂
I’m big on keeping the sofa warm while others ski too. 😉 Preferably with one of these to sip on. This looks wonderful! Dessert in a glass. Thanks.
Exactly John…hot chocolate, cocktail and dessert all rolled into one!
I have a ruptured disk in my back and like to ski like you to like to ski too. This is a beautiful hot chocolate.
We could warm the sofa for everyone else and warm ourselves with chocolate and Amaretto! Hope you are OK!
Yes please! I’ll be skiing this weekend and wishing I had this drink to warm me by a fire. I’ll have to check out the rest of the skiing themed recipes too, great idea!
Have fun…and everything is just a great collaboration of foods for any wintery cold day that you want to serve company. Football comes to mind. Even if our team is not there. 🙂
LOVE this! Amaretto is one of my favorites which reminds me I need to get more… 🙂
Thanks…and I love it too. It provides a nice subtle touch which is sometimes all that I want.
Oh MY GOD! Thats decadence in a glass. I so want some, even though it is so warm here today. Next cold winter day I am coming over to drink this!
Promises promises. I’m gonna hold you to it!
Yep, yes you’re right! This is totally decadent! 🙂 Cornstarch sounds terrible in a hot chocolate. I agree with you on that one!
Doesn’t that sound just weird? I see absolutely no reason why…he must have been having a hard day. 🙂
I love the almond adornment–it really does make the whole thing! I’m on the sofa right next to you, Barb, since I’m not a skiier either. Sounds like a lot of our PE crew will be hanging out on the sofa rather than skiing. Fine with me if I get to enjoy this entire feast!
Chatting with friends is my favorite sport anyhow…so I’m good with not being a player and keeping the home fires, or in this case, the lodge fires, burning.
Totally rich, dreamy and decadent! Let’s just skip the skiing next time I’m in Colorado, and instead sip on these chocolate laden beauties!
Works for me Liz…seems I have a whole list of things I need to make next time you come…anything to tease you into driving south a bit! 🙂