2 1/2 cups whole milk - or 2 cups milk and 1/2 cup whole cream

3/4 cup ChefShop Cocoa Powder

1/2 cup Superfine Castor Sugar

1/4 teaspoons fine Sea Salt

1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Our basic recipe is delicious and it is when you make variations and changes to this very simple recipe that it becomes yours. Add cream in combination with milk, or use oat milk or coconut milk for a different richness. Add in cinnamon, or sprinkle some on top, dust with more cocoa powder, or with nutmeg or cardamom, or top with a zest of citrus.

Add more or less sugar to match your preferences when you make the base, and then try finishing with different sugars. Don’t forget to consider sweet syrups and candy canes.

Consider freeze-dried coffee to a cup, or citrus bitters – actually any bitters will make an interesting change to the personality of the sip.

And of course, use your milk – dairy or not – to make a design in the chocolate before you serve. Or go old school with a handful of marshmallows.

Lastly, add a little of your favorite chocolate bar to the mix for a nice, rich difference! Delicious drinking chocolate is a classic comfort food – and making it your own is the fun!