Dark Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate Recipe

This delicious dark chocolate orange hot chocolate recipe uses simple ingredients and couldn’t be easier to make! This rich and creamy hot chocolate drink is perfect for the winter months and the holiday season. Plus its unique and irresistible flavor is sure to be a hit and have everyone asking for the recipe! 

a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and half a candied orange slice on top

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This post may contain affiliate links. For more information see my full disclosure here.

I’ve found when it comes to the flavor combination of orange and chocolate, in whatever form it might happen to come in, people either love it or they hate it. I happen to love it, which is why this hot cocoa happens to be one of my new favorite recipes! 

a finished cup of hot chocolate with chocolate shavings and candied orange slices around it

In my mind, this recipe perfectly combines the rich and creamy texture of French hot chocolate, with the delicious flavor combination of dark chocolate and orange, to create what might just be my new favorite hot chocolate. 

I know I say that about a lot of my recipes, but I promise you I am being completely honest with this one. And despite what some of my younger siblings might have to say, in my book this recipe is a winner through and through. And I’m positive you’ll instantly fall in love with this rich and flavorful drink just like I did!

an overhead shot of a finished cup of hot chocolate with chocolate shavings and candied orange slices around it

It’s the perfect chocolatey drink for serving on any chilly winter day or throughout the holiday season. And while a dark chocolate orange hot chocolate might sound a little odd to people at first, I promise this easy drink is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

Just be sure to keep the recipe handy if you are serving this hot cocoa to friends!

a finished up of hot chocolate with melted whipped cream dripping down the side of the cup

How To Make Dark Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate

Makes 1 large cup

Ingredients

  • dark chocolate. I like to use chopped dark baking chocolate, but you can use any kind of dark dark chocolate bar or even dark chocolate chips for this recipe! 
  • whole milk. You can also use 1%, 2%, skim, or even chocolate milk for this recipe! You can also swap out the milk for your favorite non-dairy milk. Oat milk, almond milk, and soy milk all work well.
  • heavy cream or half and half OR more milk of choice
  • unsweetened cocoa powder
  • white sugar, you can also brown sugar, cane sugar, or even maple syrup. to sweeten this orange hot cocoa
  • vanilla extract
  • orange extract

Toppings

  • whipped cream, homemade or store-bought
  • chocolate shavings
  • candied orange slice or candied orange peel
a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and an candied orange slice on top

Directions

In a small or medium saucepan, combine everything but the chopped dark chocolate, and heat over medium heat whisking often. 

Continue to heat the mixture until small bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan, and the sugar has dissolved completely.

Add the chopped dark chocolate, and continue to cook, whisking continually, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove the pan from the heat, taste, and add more orange extract if needed.

Pour into a large mug and top your cup of hot chocolate with a generous amount of whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a candied orange slice. 

Enjoy!

a finished cup of hot chocolate with melted whipped cream dripping down the side

Recipe Notes

I like to start with a small amount of orange extract for this recipe, as I don’t want to be too overpowering. But if you would like your hot chocolate to have a stronger orange flavor, feel free to add an additional 1/4-1/2 tsp of orange extract!

You can also add a splash of orange liquor when serving this recipe for adults!

To make super easy homemade whipped cream, simply combine, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsps powdered sugar, and 3 tsp vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat using an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form. Enjoy!

Personally, I prefer this recipe with dark chocolate, but if you would like this hot chocolate to be more on the sweet side feel free to use milk chocolate in place of the dark. You can even make this hot chocolate with white chocolate(and skip the cocoa powder) to create a rich and creamy white chocolate orange hot chocolate! 

a close up of the whipped cream chocolate shavings and half a candied orange slice on top of a cup of hot chocolate

Be Sure To Check Out These Delicious Hot Chocolate Recipes Too!

French Hot Chocolate Recipe | Chocolat Chaud

Blackberry White Hot Chocolate with blackberry syrup

Grinch Hot Chocolate Recipe

dark chocolate orange hot chocolate - featured image

Dark Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate

Rose Lemere
This rich and creamy hot chocolate drink is perfect for the winter months and the holiday season. Plus its unique and irresistible flavor is sure to be a hit and have everyone asking for the recipe! 
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 953 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz dark chocolate I like to use chopped dark baking chocolate, but you can use any kind of dark dark chocolate bar or even dark chocolate chips for this recipe! 
  • 1 cup whole milk You can also use 1%, 2%, skim, or even chocolate milk for this recipe! You can also swap out the milk for your favorite non-dairy milk. Oat milk, almond milk, and soy milk all work well.
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half OR more milk of choice
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1-2 tbsp white sugar you can also brown sugar, cane sugar, or even maple syrup.
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp orange extract

Toppings

  • whipped cream homemade or store-bought
  • chocolate shavings
  • candied orange slice or candied orange peel

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan, combine everything but the chopped dark chocolate, and heat over medium heat whisking often. 
  • Continue to heat the mixture until small bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan, and the sugar has dissolved completely.
  • Add the chopped dark chocolate, and continue to cook, whisking continually, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove the pan from the heat, taste, and add more orange extract if needed.
  • Pour into a large mug and top your cup of hot chocolate with a generous amount of whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a candied orange slice. 
  • Enjoy!

Notes

I like to start with a small amount of orange extract for this recipe, as I don’t want to be too overpowering. But if you would like your hot chocolate to have a stronger orange flavor, feel free to add an additional 1/4-1/2 tsp of orange extract!
You can also add a splash of orange liquor when serving this recipe for adults!
To make super easy homemade whipped cream, simply combine, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsps powdered sugar, and 3 tsp vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat using an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form. Enjoy!
Personally, I prefer this recipe with dark chocolate, but if you would like this hot chocolate to be more on the sweet side feel free to use milk chocolate in place of the dark. You can even make this hot chocolate with white chocolate(and skip the cocoa powder) to create a rich and creamy white chocolate orange hot chocolate! 

Nutrition

Calories: 953kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 17gFat: 76gSaturated Fat: 46gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 964mgFiber: 8gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 2167IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 427mgIron: 8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Keyword chocolate-orange, Christmas, holiday recipes, hot chocolate, orange
Tried this recipe?Tag @anexpressionoffood_blog on Instagram and use the hashtag #anexpressionoffood!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.