There’s a moment in late winter when I’m thoroughly done with the gray skies but strawberries are just starting to hint at their summer sweetness in the stores. It was on one such dreary afternoon, craving both comfort and a taste of sunshine, that I first dreamed up this Strawberry Hot Chocolate. I remember the hesitant hope as I simmered the strawberries, my small kitchen gradually filling with the most incredible scent—a mix of rich cocoa and sweet, jammy berries. When I took that first tentative sip, it was pure magic. The deep chocolate warmth wrapped around the bright, fruity strawberry notes, creating something entirely new and wonderful. It felt like a hug in a mug, a promise that spring was coming. This recipe is now my go-to for turning a gloomy day into something special, and I’m so excited to share it with you.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/3 cup high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped bar chocolate
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste and strawberry sweetness)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A tiny pinch of salt
Let’s talk ingredients, because quality really sings here. For the strawberries, truly fresh is best. If they’re a bit tart, that’s okay—you can adjust the sugar. But don’t use frozen for the infusion if you can help it; they release too much water and dilute the flavor. That heavy cream is non-negotiable for me—it gives the drink its luxuriously silky mouthfeel. Skim milk just won’t achieve the same velvet texture. And for the chocolate, please use the good stuff. A bar you’d enjoy eating plain makes a world of difference compared to waxy chips. That pinch of salt isn’t a suggestion; it’s the secret weapon that makes all the flavors pop, so don’t skip it!(See the next page below to continue…)