Equipment Needed
- A small to medium saucepan
- A fine-mesh sieve or strainer
- A whisk
- A wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mugs for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
I start by gently heating the milk, cream, and those beautiful sliced strawberries in my saucepan over medium-low heat. The key here is patience. You want to bring it just to a simmer, where little bubbles form around the edges, but never let it boil vigorously. As it heats, I use my wooden spoon to gently mash the strawberries against the side of the pot. This helps them release all their gorgeous juice and color into the dairy. I let this mixture simmer gently for about 8-10 minutes, and my whole kitchen starts to smell like sweet strawberry jam. It’s heavenly.
Now, here’s where I learned a timing lesson the hard way. Once infused, you must strain the mixture. I carefully pour the hot pink milk through my fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl or pitcher, pressing on the strawberry solids to get every last drop of flavor. Those spent berries go straight to the compost. I then pour the infused strawberry milk back into the now-empty (and rinsed) saucepan. This might seem like a fussy extra step, but it prevents any tiny burnt strawberry bits from sticking later.
Back on medium-low heat, I whisk in the cocoa powder, sugar, and that all-important pinch of salt. I whisk constantly for a minute until everything is dissolved and no lumps remain. It will look like a lovely pink chocolate soup. Then, I turn the heat down to its lowest setting and add the chopped chocolate and vanilla extract. I switch to my spatula and stir slowly, almost reverently, until the chocolate is fully melted and the entire pot is smooth, glossy, and impossibly fragrant.
The final test is the temperature. I’ve served it too hot and burned my tongue, and I’ve let it sit too long and gotten a skin—neither is ideal. I aim for just steaming hot, not scalding. I give it one final stir and immediately pour it into my favorite pre-warmed mugs. The color is this dreamy, dusky rose that makes me smile every single time. The first sip is always a moment of pure bliss.(See the next page below to continue…)