When the weather calls for something cozy, this thick, silky French Hot Chocolate is one of my favorite ways to warm up. It’s richer and more luxurious than your classic hot chocolate, with melted chocolate creating a velvety texture that feels almost dessert-like in a mug. Think somewhere between Parisian hot chocolate and chocolate fondue... rich, smooth, and perfect for sipping slowly!
There’s something so incredibly special about a cup of Parisian hot chocolate! Unlike the hot cocoa many of us grew up with here in the U.S., French hot chocolate, otherwise known as chocolat chaud, is luxuriously thick, deeply chocolatey, and meant to be savored slowly. Made with real melted dark chocolate and cream, it’s closer to a drinkable chocolate dessert than a simple winter beverage, and it’s a classic café staple throughout France!
I first fell in love with chocolat chaud during my time working in Paris. One memory that always comes back to me is sitting inside the elegant tea room at Angelina, sipping their famously rich Parisian drinking chocolate beneath gilded mirrors and chandeliers. But just as memorable were the days I grabbed a to-go cup and wandered through the nearby Luxembourg Gardens, warming my hands while strolling past fountains and rows of chestnut trees. A DREAM!
This recipe is inspired by those moments and the classic techniques I learned during my pastry school days. It creates a deeply rich, silky French hot chocolate that’s thick enough to feel luxurious but still perfectly drinkable. With the addition of some softly whipped cream and a slice of candied oranges, perfection.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This Parisian hot chocolate recipe is simple to make and delivers a rich, velvety cup of classic chocolat chaud at home. Here’s how this luxurious French hot chocolate comes together:
Step 1: An optional step is to infuse your dairy used for this recipe with orange! It adds a lovely bright citrus note to an otherwise rick and dark drink - highly recomment!
Step 2: Add the milk, cream, and brown sugar to a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Add the chopped chocolate and reduce the heat to low.
Step 3: Ladle into mugs and top with some softly whipped cream and a slice of candied orange if desired.
Step 4: Enjoy right away while it’s warm, and the texture is perfectly velvety!
Storing and My Top Tips
- Reheating Leftovers: If you happen to have extra, store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat while whisking to bring it back to a smooth texture. The chocolate will naturally thicken as it cools, so adding a small splash of milk while reheating helps loosen it.
- Chopping the Chocolate: Finely chopping the chocolate helps it melt smoothly and prevents the mixture from overheating while you wait for large chunks to dissolve. This keeps the texture silky rather than grainy.
- Chocolate Quality Matters: Because French hot chocolate relies on melted chocolate rather than cocoa powder, the flavor depends entirely on the chocolate you use. Choose a high-quality dark chocolate around 60–70% cacao for the best balance of richness and sweetness. Anything much darker can make the drink slightly bitter.
More Chocolate Recipes
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Quick French Hot Chocolate (Chocolate Chaud)
Equipment
- Mugs for serving
Ingredients
French Hot Chocolate
- 2 cups (490 g) Whole Milk
- 1 cup (240 g) Heavy Cream
- 1 Orange, zested, optional
- 2 tablespoons (24 g) Brown Sugar
- 8 ounces (226 g) High Quality Dark Chocolate, broken into pieces
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Garnish
- ¼ cup (60 g) Heavy Whipping Cream, for serving
- 1 Candied Orange Slice, quartered
Instructions
- OPTIONAL (skip to the next step if you would like!): If infusing your dairy with orange, add the milk, cream into a saucepan and heat till simmering. Add orange zest heat for an additional 5 minutes before removing from heat and allowing to infuse for 30 minutes to an hour. Strain the orange zest peels, and ensure that you still have 3 cups of dairy after the infusing process as sometimes the liquid can reduce a bit throughout this process. If needed, add a splash of milk to ensure you have three total cups of dairy before moving on to the next step.2 cups Whole Milk, 1 cup Heavy Cream, 1 Orange, zested
- Add your cream, milk and brown sugar to a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Warm the mixture gently, stirring occasionally, until it’s steaming and the sugar has dissolved - you’re looking for the liquid to be hot but not boiling.2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- Once the dairy is warmed through, add the chopped chocolate and reduce the heat to low. Stir continuously until the chocolate melts completely and the drinking chocolate becomes smooth, glossy, and slightly thickened. Stir in the vanilla extract.8 ounces High Quality Dark Chocolate, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- The final texture should be richer than traditional hot chocolate but still easily sippable. If it feels a bit thin, allow it to simmer for another minute or two to thicken. If it becomes too thick, stir in a splash more milk until it reaches the consistency you love!
- Ladle into mugs and top with some softly whipped cream and a slice of candied orange if desired. Enjoy right away while it’s warm and velvety!¼ cup Heavy Whipping Cream, 1 Candied Orange Slice
Briana
Loved these - simple process with delicious results. Thanks.