Moroccan Hot Cocoa
with mint and orange flavoring
What happens when you’re stuck inside in the midst of a blizzard with nothing to do except watch the Super Bowl? Stay warm by drinking as much hot chocolate as possible, duh?! I wasn’t aware of the amount of different recipes that existed when I began my quest for the perfect cup of cocoa, considering I am not that big of a chocolate fan to begin with. Now before every female goes crazy and decides to kick me out of the sisterhood, I will admit to liking chocolate as long as it isn’t a solid block like a Hershey Kiss. Most make their cocoa with the standard pre-packaged powdered chocolate that requires nothing but boiling water, a clean mug and a handful of mini marshmallows. After this weekend of trial and error, I vow to never drink another cup of pre-packaged hot cocoa ever again. My eyes have been opened and I for one can say, “WOW!”
The Moroccan Mint Hot Cocoa recipe was a version I had years ago when I was traveling throughout Morocco. I arrived in Marrakesh in the middle of the night around 3 AM. Luckily, since it was Ramadan, there was an all night diner open that my friends and I were allowed to hang out in till we were able to check into our hostel. The gentleman who owned the place thought it was hilarious that five girls were traveling throughout his country not only without a male escort (the country is Islamic and majority of the women don’t walk alone), but also during their holy month. He immediately welcomed us “American girls” with a large smile, a table to sit at amongst his peers and a round of mint hot coca on the house as a nice gesture.
I have to say; to this day it is my favorite way to drink it. The goat’s milk creates a smoothness, which rolls off the tongue when mixed with the melted dark chocolate. The hint of mint is more of an after taste that allows it to end with a nice clean finish. The orange flavored cocoa has more of a tang to it due to the citrus notes blended with the cinnamon. Both are delicious with the right amount of exotic to appease even the faint of heart when it comes to chocolate.
Moroccan Minted Flavored Hot Cocoa
Ingredients – Yields 2 servings/cups:
- 2 c. Goat’s Milk
- 5 ounces Dark Chocolate
- Handful of Fresh Mint plus 5 leaves chopped
- Dollop of Mint Whipped Cream
Mint Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
- 2 c. Heavy Cream
- ½ c. Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp. Mint Extract
- 5 Mint Leaves, julienned thinly
Directions:
- In your mug, muddle fresh mint leaves. Set aside.
- Heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Once the milk is warm, whisk in the chocolate, stirring until melted and steaming hot.
- Add a dollop of the mint whipped cream and garnish with julienned mint leaves.
- Serve warm in coffee mugs.
To Make the Mint Whipped Cream:
- In a deep mixing bowl, beat 2 cups heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Add powdered sugar and mint extract over cream; beat until soft peaks return. Do not overbeat.
Moroccan Orange Flavored Hot Coco
Ingredients – Yields 2 servings/cups:
- 2 c. Goat’s Milk
- 5 ounces Dark Chocolate
- Dash of Cinnamon
- 2 tsp. of Orange Zest
- Dollop of Orange Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Orange Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
- 2 c. Heavy Cream
- ½ c. Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp. Orange Extract
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 2 tsp. Orange Zest
Directions:
- In your mug, muddle fresh orange rings. Set aside.
- Heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Once the milk is warm, whisk in the chocolate, stirring until melted and steaming hot..
- Add a dollop of the orange whipped cream and garnish with fresh orange zest and dash of cinnamon.
- Serve warm in coffee mugs.
To Make the Orange Cinnamon Whipped Cream:
- In a deep mixing bowl, beat 2 cups heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Add powdered sugar and orange extract over cream; beat until soft peaks return. Do not overbeat.