So rich and thick, this Parisian Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud) is as close as it comes to true French hot chocolate. Inspired by the famous chocolat chaud from Angelina Paris, this decadent sipping chocolate is made with dark chocolate, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and a touch of sugar. Espresso powder is the secret ingredient that brings out the chocolate flavor in this cozy drink. Topped with a dollop of freshly whipped cream, the smallest cup of this delicious chocolate drink will definitely satisfy your chocolate craving!

This sipping chocolate is not very sweet, but has the perfect balance as an afternoon treat, or in place of dessert after a lovely meal. To learn how to make this decadent hot chocolate recipe, see the printable recipe card below. Take a look at the recipe video, or get Step by Step Instructions for a more detailed explanation of this recipe. For details on the history of chocolat chaud or make ahead instructions, please visit my Blog Comments & Tips below.

Sign up for a free subscription to our monthly newsletter and access to exclusive content.

To browse some of our favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and pantry items, visit our Recommended Products page.

Parisian Hot Chocolate, French hot chocolate, prep my recipe, pimp my recipe, parisian hot chocolate recipe, french hot chocolate recipe, hot chocolate recipe, rich hot chocolate, thick and rich hot chocolate, valrhona chocolate, trader joes recipes, trader joes dark chocolate, italian hot chocolate, Angelina Paris, Angelina’s hot chocolate, Angelina’s chocolat chaud recipe, chocolat chaud, chocolate chaud recipe, parisian sipping chocolate, sipping chocolate, sipping hot chocolate, vegetarian, gluten free, entertaining, quick and easy, hot drink, hot drink recipe, IG6, 5ING2, make ahead, easy hot chocolate recipe, five ingredient recipe, five ingredients or less, 5-ingredient recipe, 5 ingredient recipe, 5 ingredients, how to make Angelina’s chocolate chaud, how to make Parisian hot chocolate, how to make French hot chocolate, how to make chocolate chaud

Cocktails & Drinks, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Quick and Easy, Entertaining, 5 Ingredients or Less

French

Servings: 4

Author: Prep My Recipe

PARISIAN HOT CHOCOLATE (Chocolat Chaud)

So rich & thick, this Parisian Hot Chocolate is as close as it comes to true French hot chocolate. Inspired by the famous chocolat chaud from Angelina Paris, a small cup of this deliciously decadent sipping chocolate will definitely satisfy your chocolate craving!

Prep Time: 12 MinCooking Time: 5 MinTotal Time: 17 Min

Ingredients

4 ounces dark chocolate (70% to 72% cacao - see Note #1), chopped
⅔ cup heavy whipping cream, divided
¼ teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, divided
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon powdered sugar (optional)
1 pinch espresso powder (not instant espresso)

Instructions

With a large chef’s knife, chop chocolate, and set aside.
To a small bowl, add ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream, and ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and whip into medium stiff peaks with a hand mixer. Transfer to a small serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Add milk, remaining ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream, and powdered sugar (optional - see Note #2) to a 2 quart saucepan, and whisk to combine. Over medium heat, continue to whisk until steaming and beginning to simmer around the edges (do not boil). This process will take about 5 minutes.
Once heated through, leave the saucepan on the same burner, but turn off heat. Immediately add espresso powder, remaining ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and whisk together. Then add chopped chocolate, and whisk together until completely melted and smooth (about 1-2 minutes - see Note #3).
Ladle (or pour) into 3 ounce espresso cups (see Note #4), and top with a dollop of whipped cream, and serve immediately. To best enjoy, gently stir in the whipped cream so there are streaks of whipped cream still visible (see Note #5 for serving suggestions).

Notes

I like either of these brands of dark chocolate for this recipe: Valrhona Chocolate (70% cacao) is a high quality French chocolate, or Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate (72% cacao) is a great quality Belgian chocolate.
This is a super rich and thick sipping chocolate that is not sweet (like liquid chocolate ganache). If you prefer it a little sweeter, add up to 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar (or none at all if you don't like it sweet).
If you prefer it a little thinner, heat an additional ¼ cup of whole milk to thin out the hot chocolate. Once mixture is combined and ready to serve, whisk the hot milk into the hot chocolate only 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
This sipping chocolate is so rich that it’s best served in very small amounts, like in 3 ounce espresso cups, or 3 ounce demi-tasse cups. If you want a larger serving, try using 6 ounce cappuccino cups.
In true French tradition, this chocolate is served alongside a glass of sparkling mineral water. After a few sips of the rich hot chocolate, a sip of mineral water here and there cleanses the palate and cuts some of the richness.
Recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight jar, then reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once it’s reheated, it may need to be thinned out a little by stirring in hot milk (or hot water) a little at a time to the mixture, until you achieve the desired consistency. For Make Ahead Instructions for Entertaining, visit my Blog Comments & Tips for this recipe on the website for details.
Makes about 4 small servings (3 ounces per serving), or 2 larger servings (5 ounces per serving).

Recommended Products:

HexClad Saucepan (2 Quart)

Global Knife

Cuisinart Electric Hand Mixer (5 Speed)

Nutrition Facts

Calories

344.9

Fat (grams)

28.36 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

17.2 g

Carbs (grams)

17.73 g

Fiber (grams)

3.09 g

Net carbs

14.64 g

Sugar (grams)

11.43 g

Protein (grams)

5.37 g

Sodium (milligrams)

39.69 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

52.99 mg

Nutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.

https://PrepMyRecipe.com/blog/parisian-hot-chocolate

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @prepmyrecipe on instagram and hashtag it # prepmyrecipe

Prep ingredients for the French Hot Chocolate recipe. — PREPARATION

Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.

A glass bowl filled with chopped dark chocolate. — STEP 1

With a *large chef’s knife*, chop 4 ounces dark chocolate (70% to 72% cacao - see Note below), and set aside.
*Note: I like either of these brands of dark chocolate for this recipe:* *Valrhona Chocolate (70% cacao)* *is a high quality French chocolate, or* *Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate (72% cacao)* *is a great quality Belgian chocolate.*

STEP 2

Whip together ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream, and ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, into medium stiff peaks. Transfer to a small serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Note: Although I used a milk frother for this small amount in these photos, it’s much faster to use a small bowl and a hand mixer instead.

Milk, cream & vanilla.

Whip.

Medium stiff peaks.

Transfer to bowl.

STEP 3

Add 1 cup whole milk, remaining ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream, and 1 teaspoon powdered sugar (optional - see Note below) to a 2 quart saucepan, and whisk to combine. Over medium heat, continue to whisk until steaming and beginning to simmer around the edges (do not boil). This process will take about 5 minutes.

Note: This is a super rich and thick sipping chocolate that is not sweet (like liquid chocolate ganache). If you prefer it a little sweeter, add up to 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar (or none at all if you don't like it sweet).

Add milk & cream.

Add powdered sugar.

Whisk to combine.

Starting to simmer.

STEP 4a

Once heated through, leave the saucepan on the same burner, but turn off heat. Immediately add 1 pinch espresso powder (not instant espresso), ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and whisk together.

Pinch of espresso powder.

Vanilla.

Whisk to combine.

STEP 4b

Then add chopped chocolate, and whisk together until completely melted and smooth (about 1-2 minutes - see Note below).

Note: If you prefer it a little thinner, heat an additional ¼ cup of whole milk to thin out the hot chocolate. Once mixture is combined and ready to serve, whisk the hot milk into the hot chocolate only 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

Add chocolate.

Whisk to combine.

Melted & smooth.

STEP 5

Ladle (or pour) into 3 ounce espresso cups (see Note below), and top with a dollop of whipped cream, and serve immediately.

Note: This sipping chocolate is so rich that it’s best served in very small amounts, like in 3 ounce espresso cups, or 3 ounce demi-tasse cups. If you want a larger serving, try using 6 ounce cappuccino cups.

Pour in espresso cups.

Or ladle in 6 oz cups.

Dollop of whipped cream.

SERVING SUGGESTION

To best enjoy, gently stir in the whipped cream so there are streaks of whipped cream still visible. Although not shown in these photos, it’s typical to serve a glass of sparkling mineral water alongside the chocolate. After a few sips of the rich hot chocolate, a sip of mineral water here and there cleanses the palate and cuts some of the richness.

6 ounce cup.

3 ounce espresso cup.

Dollop of whipped cream.

Streaks of cream.

Notes:

Recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight jar. Then reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once it’s reheated, if you need to thin it out a bit, try stirring in hot milk (or hot water) a little at a time to the mixture, until you achieve the desired consistency.
Recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight jar, then reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once it’s reheated, it may need to be thinned out a little by stirring in hot milk (or hot water) a little at a time to the mixture, until you achieve the desired consistency. For Make Ahead Instructions for Entertaining, visit my Blog Comments & Tips below for details.
Makes about 4 small servings (3 ounces per serving), or 2 larger servings (5 ounces per serving).

BACK TO RECIPE

A luxurious sipping experience!

This Parisian Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud) is as close as it comes to true French hot chocolate. The rich flavor and thick texture of this French hot chocolate makes it feel extra luxurious, and tastes like you are drinking liquid chocolate ganache! When stirred into this hot drink, a dollop of fresh whipped cream adds a creamy element and cuts the richness of the chocolate. A very small amount of this is a super decadent cup of hot chocolate will definitely satisfy your chocolate cravings.

Compared to the watery American hot chocolate, Parisian chocolat chaud is absolutely luxurious. Instead of having a chocolate bar, the French mostly prefer enjoying their chocolate in the form of pastries, chocolate truffles from a chocolatier, and hot chocolate. A favorite pastime in France is sitting at a sidewalk cafe and leisurely enjoying a cup of coffee or chocolate and a pastry, while people watching. But there is a very special place in Paris that is even more popular for their sipping hot chocolate and pastries.

Aside from their beautiful pastries, Angelina’s French hot chocolate is without a doubt the most famous in Paris. The original Angelina Paris is a legendary tea room located on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France. They have been serving elegant pastries and their famous chocolat chaud (French hot chocolate) since 1903, and are known worldwide for this rich and silky French hot chocolate. Their French hot chocolate is usually served in a small pitcher, and poured into a demitasse cup, with a small cup of freshly whipped cream that gets dolloped and stirred into the chocolate. A glass of mineral water is typically served as a side. Taking an occasional sip of mineral water between sips of rich chocolat chaud really cleanses the palate and enhances the experience.

Although there is now another location in New York City, nothing really compares to the experience of having breakfast, lunch, or tea in the original tea room in Paris. Its belle epoque-style dining room has an incomparable nostalgic elegance not found in most tea rooms. Sipping their chocolat chaud and enjoying some of their beautiful pastries is a luxurious experience that everyone should try at least once when in Paris.

How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?

My 5 tips to making this decadent French Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud):

High quality ingredients. Use the best quality chocolate you can find. For this recipe, I prefer either Valrhona Chocolate (70% cacao) which is a high quality French chocolate, or Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate (72% cacao) which is a great quality Belgian chocolate.
Do not use low fat or nonfat milk. To create the thick and silky texture, it’s important to use a combination of whole milk and heavy whipping cream.
Do not boil your milk and cream. Make sure to continually whisk or stir to prevent a film from forming. You want to get it very hot, and bring it to a point where it is steaming and barely starting to simmer around the edges. You will start to see when it begins to thicken in the pan. That’s the point where you must turn off the heat, otherwise it will continue to reduce and thicken, and become the texture of a ganache when you add the chocolate.
If you need to thin out your hot chocolate a bit, just stir in hot whole milk (or even hot filtered water) only 1 tablespoon at a time until you achieve the desired consistency. You want it very thick, but drinkable.
Make Ahead Instructions for Entertaining: Follow the instructions for the recipe through Step 4b, and allow to cool down in the pan a little (about 2 to 3 minutes). Then transfer to a large wide-mouth mason jar or airtight container, and allow to cool uncovered to room temperature. Cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Slowly reheat in the microwave, stirring every 15 to 30 seconds until heated through. If it needs to be thinned out a bit, once the chocolate is hot, stir in a little hot whole milk (or hot water) 1 tablespoon at a time.

Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.

Santé!

Mich

Footnote: Remember to turn off the heat as soon as the milk and cream mixture start to simmer on the edges of the pan.

Inspired by the famous chocolat chaud from Angelina Paris, my recipe comes as close as possible to the original flavor and texture of the decadent Parisian sipping chocolate!

Every editorial product is independently selected. I may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you purchase products via these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Parisian Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud)