Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
ON COLD DECEMBER NIGHTS it is my habit to curl up with classic holiday films, such as ‘A Christmas Carol’ (the really old one with Alistair Sims and Hermione Baddeley), ‘A Wonderful Life’ (with James Stewart), and ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ (Cary Grant and Loretta Young). My beverage of choice during these nights is rather classic, too — hot chocolate. But I refuse to open a packet of highly processed garbage like ‘Swiss Miss.’ Instead, I make my own thick, rich, and creamy hot chocolate from scratch. Anyone born prior to 1970 will probably know this recipe:
Old-Fashioned Hot Chocolate
Ingredients for about 4 cups
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped or broken into smallish pieces
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
Small pinch of salt
3 cups whole milk
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat chocolate and water. Stir constantly until the chocolate has melted and the mixture seems smooth.
Stir in sugar and salt, heat to boiling, and then reduce heat to low.
Stir in the milk, cover the pot, and heat through but do not boil. (If you like your hot chocolate frothy — I do — briefly beat with a hand mixer before serving.
Now, I wasn’t kidding when I referred to instant hot chocolate as “garbage.” Just compare the above ingredients for Old Fashioned Hot Chocolate with those found in a packet of ‘Swiss Miss:’ Sugar, corn syrup, modified whey, cocoa (processed with alkali), hydrogenated coconut oil, nonfat milk, calcium carbonate (an antacid), salt, dipotassium phosphate, non- and diglycerides, artifical flavor, carrageenan (a seaweed extract). I doubt that neither James Stewart, Loretta Young nor Donna Reed would approve.
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carolpie says
You are so right! This is yummy!
Sonja says
I swear we have so much in common … I make mine this way as well(great Gma's recipie)… U can't get the right taste any other way … This is also GREAT chilled …
Brigid O'Brien says
I am old enough to remember this hot chocolate, Kevin. I can't wait to make it again. Thanks for inspiring me.
Katreader says
I need to make some hot chocolate, especially since I got some whipped cream flavored vodka, which I think will be a lovely addition. You also mentioned my favorite Christmas movie…kind of. The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant is just about my favorite Christmas film…perhaps tied with A Christmas Story. In fact, I watched it today with my folks as we celebrated Thanksgiving. The Preacher's Wife was a remake with Whitney Houston-I only watched 5 minutes before having to turn it off. Major disappointment.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Carolpie – yummy indeed! I'm making it again this morning.
Sonja – We must have the same great-grandmother!
Brigid – I feel so sorry for any child who only knows hot chocolate as Swiss Miss or Nestle's Quick.
Katreader — You're right…I meant the Bishop's Wife. Cary Grant made a swell angel, yes? I didn't care for the modern version of this one either…but then I rarely enjoy remakes of classics.
And speaking of angels — that whipped-cream-flavored vodka certainly sounds celestial!
Adele says
Kevin, this is the cocoa I grew up with, and that my kids grew up with too. As you said, it's a true classic.
Brigid O'Brien says
Hey Kevin, unrelated to hot chocolate, but I was just thinking, you should have your own TV show. Would you like that?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Brigid – That's very, very kind of you to think so. In truth, I would love to have my own, upbeat and uplifting TV show that incorporated both gardening and kitchen how-to. Alas, I do not have the connections one would require to make such a program a reality…
Brigid says
Well I remember down in Larchmont/Mamaroneck, LMC-TV, it was the public access cable and they used to love for people to make their own TV shows. They even taught me how to edit. I used to film a free clinic my friend Dr. Maloney had every Friday night. They used to see patients and have some comedy going on. They needed things to fill up ……… I think our closest one is http://www.sacctv.org in Schenectady. It's a place to start. Also, I would much rather see you on Channel 9 the cooking segment, than that guy they have now. Remember, Rachel Ray was discovered on a TV segment in Albany by Al Roker when he was at his weekend house in Canaan. I think I'll poke around and write a couple of notes with your website attached. It couldn't hurt.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Brigid – what a generous gesture — thank you!
Brigid O'Brien says
Kevin: Update: I contacted a couple of people. No word yet. I will put a few more feelers out when I get a day off. By the way, making the hot chocolate tonight.
Brigid O'Brien says
Kevin, I made the hot chocolate at about 9 pm last night, but I made it a little differently because I didn't have a heavy pot with a cover that was smallish and also I didn't beat it because I didn't feel like washing one more thing. I used the Baker's chocolate and water, stevia natural sweetener and Half N' Half because our milk was sour. hahaha… Well all things considered, it was delicious and I fell asleep on the couch about 5 minutes later and woke up at midnight. I'm going to do it again. A delicious sleeping pill it is.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Brigid – If you want to make this a real sleeping pill…try adding a teaspoon or two of pure vanilla extract. Vanilla extract is 35% alcohol!
Lynn says
I make hot chocolate by putting choc pieces (best Belgian callets) in a mug and microwaving till melted. Add 2tspb cream and mix till smooth. Fill the mug with milk and mix till smooth. Microwave till hot. Alternatively, boil milk on the stovetop and add to the mixed cream and chocolate. Delicious and much creamier than using water.
Lynn says
*tbsp or to avoid any confusion – tablespoons