You don't really need an excuse to simmer up a cup of hot chocolate, especially given the fact that winter is finally here and Christmas is just around the corner. But in honour of it being National Cocoa Day, we're bringing back the iconic tri-level hot choc sprint, from digital food creator Kevin, who goes by @letskwook, to leave you spoilt for choice, because, after all — it is the season to be jolly!
Level 1
It couldn't be simpler than this and you probably already intuitively know it. Simply heat a cup of milk, dissolving sugar in it. Sift in the cocoa powder (and sifting is going to make all the difference in a recipe this basic), let it come to a boil as you dash it with a crucial hint of salt — and your hot choc is simmering and ready.
Level 2
The difference between the last cup and this cup is quite the jump, courtesy of a few good tweaks. Get your favourite bar of chocolate and chop it up. Add this to a pan with some sugar, salt and cream. Whisk this over low heat till it melts and slowly work in the milk. You know it's ready when the hot chocolate hits the sweet spot between still passing off as a liquid while also coating the back of your spoon.
Level 3
This is where you start considering if you could make it through a few rounds of Masterchef, even if you don't clinch the title. Chop up your dark chocolate and add it in a pan and layer up with brown sugar, cinnamon, some cardamom pods, a pinch of salt and your milk (Oat milk comes strongly recommended for this one for its nutty flavour). Now the point isn't to bring it to a boil. Instead, let it steep on very low heat before you give it a good mix and slightly thin the consistency with some more milk.
{{/usCountry}}This is where you start considering if you could make it through a few rounds of Masterchef, even if you don't clinch the title. Chop up your dark chocolate and add it in a pan and layer up with brown sugar, cinnamon, some cardamom pods, a pinch of salt and your milk (Oat milk comes strongly recommended for this one for its nutty flavour). Now the point isn't to bring it to a boil. Instead, let it steep on very low heat before you give it a good mix and slightly thin the consistency with some more milk.
{{/usCountry}}Which of these three levels are going to be your drift this Cocoa Day?