True Parisian Chocolat Chaud (Hot Chocolate)
Our family got a lot of visitors when we lived in Paris. People came to walk through cathedrals, see famous artwork, drink the wine, and visit Disneyland. My uncle Danny was one of the few who caught the spirit of living in France, though, when he and his family came to visit: every day, he’d stroll over to the Salon de Thé et Chocolatier, order some chocolat chaud, and sit and enjoy it. I’m not sure he spoke much of the language, but his consistent presence there gained him acceptance with the stereotypically difficult-to-win-over French.
By the time he went home, he’d charmed the ladies who worked there into giving him the recipe for their amazing hot chocolate.Gray winter months are the perfect time to curl up with a mug of rich drinking chocolate. (Anyone else jumping on the hygge bandwagon? Yes, please!)
And thanks to my uncle, I have this authentic recipe to pass along to you.
A note: This drink is time-intensive, very rich, and only slightly sweet; real grown-up hot chocolate. If you think your kids won’t appreciate it, feel free to give them the packets and tell them this one’s for adults only. Or just wait and have a hot chocolate date when they’re in bed. Be warned, though: The smell may keep them awake. It’s incroyable.
