National Chocolate Week: 3 Classic Cocoa-based drinks
This week (every week for us chocoholics!) signifies the official National Chocolate Week — a celebration of all things cocoa and cocoa-based!
If you have a sweet tooth or an interest in chocolate of any persuasion — we don’t discriminate against white chocolate: even though it isn’t even really proper chocolate — then this is the one day of the year for catered specifically for you.
Maybe the savoury crowd might not be a fan of a whole week dedicated to chocolate, so if that is the case, then you might want to give this one a miss.
We’ve curated a few classic chocolate drink recipes to really brighten your day, and help you get a caffeine AND cocoa fix.
You can’t ask more than that!
Nutella Mocha
Combining the sweet, rich chocolatey goodness of Nutella, and putting a modern twist on the popular Mocha sees possibly one of the most indulgent coffees we have ever made, tasted or even attempted.
Simply by swapping out cocoa for a dollop of one of the most popular chocolate-based spreads on the market somehow makes sense, but also sees our taste buds tingle.
The combination of coffee, smooth milk and rich, sweet Nutella is the ultimate caffeinated indulgence, and we are going to show you exactly how to make them.
Easy to make, with or without access to an espresso machine, for the purpose of the perfect hazelnut, chocolate and coffee combo we do recommend making with an espresso machine.
Ingredients
- Nutella (we recommend Ferrero brand chocolate hazelnut spread but any alternative will work)
- Espresso – for an extra kick a double espresso will be preferred
- Milk (as per preference) – we recommend whole milk for extra smooth foamed milk
- Cocoa powder – a good quality cocoa powder is needed to ensure a good flavour profile
- Sugar (although we do not recommend adding extra sugar)
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate sauce
Method
If you have made a mocha before then you will notice only a few minor changes, if not then continue reading!
- Brew your espresso or double espresso.
- Once the espresso is brewed, add 2 teaspoons of Nutella and stir until mixed thoroughly. If the mixture is too thick, add a dash of hot water.
- Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to your milk and stir until smooth.
- Foam/Steam the cocoa-milk mixture until velvety smooth and tap to remove excess bubbles.
- Add to your espresso-Nutella mix
- Add a squirt of whipped cream to the top.
- Dust the top with a light covering of cocoa powder or chocolate sauce and serve!
Marble Milk and White Hot Chocolate
We don’t want to ruffle any feathers but in the interest of National Chocolate Week we’ll let this one slide and consider white chocolate as ‘proper choc’ instead of a bit of an abomination — at least in this writer’s opinion.
Softening the blow slightly, this recipe does still rely on ‘real’ chocolate to create a marble effect that makes a very very tasty alternative to the plain hot chocolate you’ll find in any coffee shop.
Ingredients
- White hot chocolate mix
- Milk/Dark Chocolate sauce
- Milk (we recommend whole milk for ideally smooth foamed milk)
- Whipped cream
- Milk/Dark chocolate cocoa powder (for dusting)
- Mini marshmallows (as you see fit)
Method
- Line your serving cup with the chocolate sauce to preference remembering to leave a thin layer around the edge of the cup
- Mix the milk and white hot chocolate powder until smooth (not necessary but helps create better hot chocolate)
- Foam/Steam the cocoa-milk mixture until velvety smooth and tap to remove excess bubbles.
- Add the foamed milk/hot chocolate mixture to your serving cup
- Add a squirt of whipped cream and lines of chocolate sauce.
- Dust with a light covering of cocoa powder, garnish with mini marshmallows and serve!
Espressino
We’ve gone a little Nutella-heavy with this short little list by adding the Espressino.
It would be rude not to add this superb little option to any curated collection of chocolate and coffee combinations though, such is the luxury and the taste.
A product of the very region where our favourite hazelnut spread is produced, this tasty Italian treat has the potential to become an instant hit on your next menu overhaul.
Ingredients
- Nutella
- Espresso
- Milk
- Chopped nuts
- Cocoa powder
Method
- Layer the inside of a small 160ml cup with Nutella.
- Brew espresso or double espresso and add a teaspoon of cocoa before mixing well
- Add the cocoa-espresso mix to the glass
- Foam milk until velvety smooth and add to the drink
- Top with thin teaspoons of Nutella
- Dust the drink with cocoa powder and a sprinkling of chopped nuts before serving
If you’ve overcome with cocoa, then you ain’t seen nothing yet! National Chocolate Week culminates in the Chocolate Show, which runs from the 13-15th October at Olympia National Hall, London.
And with hundreds of events expected throughout the week from the UK’s top chocolatiers and chocolate companies and even bars, restaurants are getting involved.
If you’d like to learn more about National Chocolate Week and the celebrations then visit: www.chocolateweek.co.uk