Gingerbread Hot Chocolate – Warming, Comforting and Full of Flavour
Do you remember those sticky ginger apple cakes I made for Bonfire Night a few weeks ago? Well I reckoned the ginger syrup I created to glaze them would contribute to a wicked gingerbread hot chocolate. How right I was.
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
When it’s cold outside and you crave something comforting and warming, sometimes it’s only a hot chocolate that will hit the spot. The ginger in this gingerbread hot chocolate adds an extra layer of warmth and will help fend off those wretched colds. If, like me, you like your ginger to have a fiery kick, add a dried red chilli when making the ginger syrup.
Apart from the ginger syrup, it’s the real chocolate that makes this gingerbread hot chocolate so luxurious. I use whatever dark chocolate I have to hand, but anything between 70% and 100% cocoa solids is best. The recipe below makes one large mug if you’re feeling decadent or a couple of more modest ones if you want to share.
I urge you to try this gingerbread hot chocolate now whilst the days are damp and grey and before January’s healthy eating resolutions kick in.
Ginger Syrup
You can buy ginger syrup, but it’s very easy to make your own. Just boil up some ginger root slices with water and sugar and you have a lovely hot and flavoursome syrup that will keep in the fridge for several weeks. You can add it to hot chocolate or mix with either cold or hot water for an uplifting drink.
Veganuary
Every year I tell myself I’m going to try going vegan for the month of January. I adore cheese and find eggs extremely useful, but I eat too much of them. Then there’s my favourite milk chocolate – yikes! I reckon it would be good for me to have a break and go dairy-free for a while. So, this year, I’m going to bite the bullet and take part in #Veganuary, along with thousands of others.
This gingerbread hot chocolate can be made with full on dairy or your favourite plant-based milk. I even have a post showing you how to make your own hemp milk if you’re feeling adventurous. What this voluptuous drink makes me realise, is that I’ll still be able to enjoy plenty of delicious treats during my vegan January. Just one note of caution; if you make this for a vegan, do make sure the dark chocolate is suitable. Sadly, not all dark chocolate is created the same.
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate – The Recipe
- 4 large slices root ginger
- 1 small dried red hot chilli (optional)
- 100 ml water
- 60 g golden caster sugar
- 1 tbsp homemade ginger syrup
- 40 g dark chocolate 70% or more - grated
- 300 ml milk of your choice
- Place all the ingredients into a small pan, bring gently to the boil so that the sugar dissolves. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Take the lid of the pan and boil gently, until the mixture becomes syrupy - about 5 minutes.
- Strain through a sieve into a small sterilised bottle.
- Pour the milk into a suitably sized pan and heat over a medium heat until just about to boil.
- Meanwhile place the chocolate into the bottom of a large mug, or two smaller ones.
- Whisk some of the milk into the chocolate, reserving a few flakes for decoration. When melted and thoroughly combined, whisk in the rest of the milk.
- Sprinkle the last of the grated chocolate over the top.
Other hot chocolate recipes you might like
- Honeyed rose hot chocolate
- Hot chocolate with marshmallow fluff (vegan)
- Matcha hot chocolate
- Rich & velvety hot chocolate (vegan)
- Spiced hot chocolate
For even more hot chocolate inspiration, head over to my chocolate drinks board on Pinterest. You’ll be surprised at just how many versions of hot chocolate there can be.
Linkies
I’m sharing my Christmas chocolate bark with Easy Peasy Foodie for #CookBlogShare.
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make this velvety gingerbread hot chocolate, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or via social media. Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them. For more delicious and nutritious recipes, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate. PIN IT.
johanna @ green gourmet giraffe
30th December 2018 at 2:29 amthis sounds lovely – I really like hot chocolate in cafes but have never managed to make one I really like at home.
good luck with veganuary – I could do with trying this – we have reduced our egg and dairy intake over the last few years but not got rid of them completely. I have found that doing Vegan MoFo has helped a lot. I will look forward to seeing how you go.
Choclette
30th December 2018 at 12:06 pmI think you’d manage a lot better than me Johanna, you’re already well versed in the whole vegan thing. It’s a bit difficult here as CT isn’t even vegetarian. He’s happy to only eat vegetarian at home, but the fridge will still be stuffed with cheese and I will have to resist!
angiesrecipes
30th December 2018 at 5:37 amWish I were holding that cup of hot chocolate now :-)) Happy New Year and all the BEST with the veganuary, Choclette!
Choclette
30th December 2018 at 12:03 pmThanks Angie. I’m looking forward to the challenge, but it’s definitely a challenge.
Emm
30th December 2018 at 8:10 pmThis sounds divine. I have some ginger cake that would go with this perfectly. Also good luck for Veganuary! We are doing it too!
Choclette
31st December 2018 at 11:20 amGood luck to you too. This hot chocolate is set to see me through Veganuary.
Sisley White
31st December 2018 at 2:41 pmOh my gosh yes please. This is right up my alley. Love a hot chocolate and gingerbread so combined would be a dream.
Choclette
1st January 2019 at 3:36 pmThink I might just need to make myself one today Sisley.
Heidi Roberts
2nd January 2019 at 10:38 pmI am more into hot chocolate this winter! I never thought of making ginger syrup – I will give it a try.
Choclette
3rd January 2019 at 11:48 amThe syrup is delicious and such an easy way to get some soothing but hot ginger into you.
Anna | Serving Dumplings
3rd January 2019 at 9:54 amI’m totally into this hot chocolate! This is a dream combo!
Choclette
3rd January 2019 at 11:49 amThanks Anna. It’s so good at this time of year when ginger feels much needed. As does hot chocolate.
Jacqueline Meldrum
3rd January 2019 at 5:14 pmWhat a great idea. I love the flavour of this Choclette. I am a bit chilly right now, one of these would hit the spot. Shared 🙂
Choclette
4th January 2019 at 11:33 amThanks Jac. Ginger is one of the best things to keep the chills at bay I find – that and chilli 😀
Corina Blum
3rd January 2019 at 9:16 pmGood luck with Veganuary! I’d love to try it one year but I don’t think my family are ready for it year and I know I couldn’t manage it alone. This hot chocolate sounds so tasty and would be very warming with the ginger in.
Choclette
4th January 2019 at 11:35 amYes, it would be really difficult if you were cooking non-vegan food for the family. I’m lucky really. CT is very tolerant – he just keeps snacking on cheese and hot buttered toast!
Mandy
4th January 2019 at 11:26 amThis sounds really good Choclette. Hope you’re finding Veganuary ok! I usually use oat or almond milk to make hot chocolate – my kids love it with either.
Choclette
4th January 2019 at 11:37 amI’m really enjoying the challenge. I’m going through various milks at the moment, trying to find the one I like best.
Jere Cassidy
5th January 2019 at 5:45 amI am always on the lookout for something warm to drink. The ginger syrup sounds delicious since I love ginger. I love your Veganuary concept, such a good idea.
Choclette
5th January 2019 at 2:03 pmThanks Jere. I’m really enjoying Veganuary so far. I’m finding I’m eating a wider variety of foods than I normally do.
Swati
6th January 2019 at 8:28 amHot chocolate with my favorite spice .. ginger sounds so warm and comforting!! Loved the #veganury concept..
Choclette
6th January 2019 at 1:26 pmGinger is one of my favourite spices too, though I find it hard to have an all out favourite. It goes wonderfully well with hot chocolate.
Cindy
6th January 2019 at 9:14 pmThis actually looks really good! I’m thinking a creamy cashew milk would be nice:)
Good luck with Veganuary! There are really so many great resources available now to make it doable. You’ll feel great if you can stick to it!
Choclette
7th January 2019 at 3:31 pmThanks Cindy. I’m really enjoying Veganuary so far and I’ve only indulged in hot chocolate twice. The first time I made it with coconut milk and the second with hazelnut milk. The hazelnut milk version is just amazing.