
Photo by Steve Painter
Two kinds of heat combine in sweet, rich cups of Hot Chocolate with Chilli. Chiles take this chocolate concoction from Hot Drinks to another dimension!
HOT CHOCOLATE WITH CHILI
Serves 2
Use the best quality cocoa powder you can find. The heat of the chili takes this chocolate drink to another dimension!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2½ cups whole milk, or 1¼ cups milk mixed with 1¼ cups light cream
- 1 teaspoon chopped dried chile or ½ teaspoon chopped fresh red chile
- Sugar, to taste (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Put the cocoa powder in a heatproof bowl, add about 1 tablespoon of the milk and mix to a smooth paste with a wooden spoon.
2. Put the remaining milk or milk and cream mixture in a saucepan, add the chile and bring to a boil. Carefully strain the boiling milk onto the cocoa paste through a fine-mesh strainer, then whisk vigorously.
3. Pour into two cups. Let cool for about 1 minute, then taste—you may need to add sugar. Serve immediately.

Recipe by Louise Pickford | Photography by Steve Painter
Try even more soul-warming sippers from Hot Drinks (Ryland Peters & Small, 2017)