Have you ever tried the most popular and delicious hot chocolate made with traditional Haitian flavors? If not, then you have missed something really special in your life.
Yes, we are talking about the classic Haitian Hot Chocolate. It is a creamy, rich, and aromatic hot drink that is popularly served during the winter season in Haiti.
This is a very soothing and comforting hot beverage that is not only immensely loved by the Haitians but also has been gaining popularity in many other countries too.
In this recipe post, we are going to reveal all our secret ingredients and techniques to make classic Haitian Hot Chocolate as they do in Haiti.
What Is Haitian hot chocolate?
Haitian hot chocolate is a delicious and creamy hot beverage that is very popular in Haiti. It is also known as “chocolat chaud” in French.
This comforting and flavorful drink is made with an infusion of evaporated milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and spices such as star anise and cinnamon stick which are native to Haiti.
The sweet and creamy hot chocolate has a rich and deep flavor that is perfect for cold winter evenings or any time of the year when you crave something comforting to drink.
Where Did I First Try Haitian hot chocolate?
I first tried Haitian hot chocolate in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I was traveling the country for a week and made sure to visit the local markets, restaurants, and cafes.
One afternoon, after exploring all day, I stopped at a small cafe near the square to get something warm to drink. There were plenty of options on the menu like coffee and tea, but what caught my attention was the Haitian hot chocolate.
I decided to give it a try and I’m so glad I did! The hot chocolate was creamy, rich, and had a unique flavor that was unlike anything I had tasted before. It had a deep flavor of cocoa along with subtle notes of star anise and cinnamon.
I found it to be so comforting that I made sure to get a cup every day for the rest of my trip. There’s something about sipping on a warm cup of hot chocolate that just makes everything better, especially when it’s Haitian hot chocolate!
You May Also Like These Drink Recipes:
- Recipe for a Herbalife Peanut Butter Shake
- Reeses Shake Recipe (Copycat version)
- Tipsy Zombie Applebee’s Copycat Recipe
- How to make a Herbalife Cinnamon Roll Shake
Ingredients
- Unprocessed Cocoa Powder: Some cocoa powder is necessary to make this hot chocolate. Unprocessed cocoa powder has a richer and more intense flavor than processed cocoa powder.
- Salt: A hint of salt is added to balance out the sweetness from the sugar and evaporated milk. Salt helps to bring out the flavors of all the other ingredients in this recipe.
- Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk gives Haitian hot chocolate a creamy and silky texture. It also helps to sweeten the drink without adding too much sugar.
- Sugar: Sugar is added to balance out the intense flavor of cocoa powder. You can adjust how much sugar you add to make it as sweet or as mild as you like.
- Star Anise: Star anise adds a unique and subtle flavor to this hot chocolate. It pairs well with the other ingredients, giving it a deeper and more complex flavor profile.
- Cinnamon Stick: A cinnamon stick gives the hot chocolate a warm and inviting aroma. This is optional, but definitely recommended.
Cooking Directions
Step 1
Add the evaporated milk, cocoa powder, salt, sugar, and cinnamon stick to a pot over medium heat.
Step 2
Stir the ingredients with a hand whisk until everything is well combined. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring continuously.
Step 3
Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes while stirring occasionally.
Step 4
Turn off the heat and add star anise to the pot. Stir and let it sit for 10 minutes so that the flavors of the spices can infuse into the hot chocolate. Remove the cinnamon stick, and strain with a sieve into a cup.
Cooking Tips
- Use quality ingredients: To make your hot chocolate extra special, use cocoa powder that is unprocessed and organic. Also, make sure to get evaporated milk with no added sugar or preservatives.
- Infuse the flavors: Make sure to give the spices enough time to infuse their flavor into the hot chocolate. To do this, add the star anise and cinnamon stick to the milk before heating it up. This will give your hot chocolate a richer and more complex flavor.
- Adjust sweetness: Everyone likes their hot chocolate differently – some like it sweet, others not so much. Make sure to adjust how much sugar you add according to your taste.
- Serve it: Serve your hot chocolate in mugs or cups with handles and top it with some grated chocolate or marshmallows to make it extra special.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
If you don’t have all the ingredients listed for this recipe, there are some substitutions that can be made.
- Evaporated milk: If you don’t have evaporated milk on hand, condensed milk or whole milk will work as a substitute.
- Star anise: To replace the star anise, try using cardamom or allspice.
- Cinnamon stick: To replace the cinnamon stick, try using ground cinnamon.
- Sugar: Instead of sugar, you can use honey or agave syrup to sweeten your hot chocolate.
- Unprocessed cocoa powder: Instead of unprocessed cocoa powder, you can use Dutch-processed or regular cocoa powder. However, the flavor may not be as intense and deep as with unprocessed cocoa powder.
Haitian Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- Pot
- Sieve
- Hand Whisk
Instructions
- Pour the evaporated milk, cocoa powder, salt, sugar and cinnamon stick into a pot. Place it over medium heat and stir thoroughly with a hand whisk until everything is fully incorporated.
- Turn up the heat to bring the combination to a boil while stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for several minutes, stirring intermittently.
- Switch off the heat and add star anise to the pot. Leave it alone for 10 minutes so that the flavors of the spices can soak into the hot chocolate. Remove the cinnamon stick, then strain with a sieve into a cup.
Notes
- Use quality ingredients: To make your hot chocolate extra special, use cocoa powder that is unprocessed and organic. Also, make sure to get evaporated milk with no added sugar or preservatives.
- Infuse the flavors: Make sure to give the spices enough time to infuse their flavor into the hot chocolate. To do this, add the star anise and cinnamon stick to the milk before heating it up. This will give your hot chocolate a richer and more complex flavor.
- Adjust sweetness: Everyone likes their hot chocolate differently – some like it sweet, others not so much. Make sure to adjust how much sugar you add according to your taste.
- Serve it: Serve your hot chocolate in mugs or cups with handles and top it with some grated chocolate or marshmallows to make it extra special.
Nutrition Information
Haitian hot chocolate is a comforting and delicious drink. It’s made with high-quality ingredients that are not only tasty but also nutritious. Here is the nutritional information for one cup of Haitian hot chocolate:
- Calories: 120
- Total Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
- Sodium: 65mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 22g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 16g
- Protein: 4g
How to Store Leftover Haitian hot chocolate?
You can store leftover Haitian hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, pour the desired amount into a saucepan and heat over low heat until it’s warm. Besides, you can also freeze the leftover hot chocolate in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then follow the same instructions above.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can eat Haitian hot chocolate. However, they should make sure to use all-natural and unprocessed ingredients to ensure the highest quality and prevent any health risks.
Can I make this with almond milk?
Yes, you can make Haitian hot chocolate using almond milk instead of regular or evaporated milk. Just follow the same instructions as above and make sure to adjust the sweetness according to your taste.
Can I add other spices?
Yes, you can add other spices to this recipe. Nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and vanilla are all good additions that will enhance the flavor of your hot chocolate. Experiment with different flavors until you find the perfect combination.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can make Haitian hot chocolate vegan by using plant-based milk and sweeteners instead of dairy and sugar. You can also use coconut cream instead of evaporated milk for a creamy texture.
Wrapping Up
So, tell us what you are thinking about this delicious Haitian hot chocolate recipe. Whether served as a warming beverage or a sweet treat, it’s sure to become your go-to wintertime favorite.
So gather the ingredients and start experimenting with different flavors until you find the perfect combination for your taste buds.
You should try this sweet, creamy, and comforting drink for a cozy winter evening. Please share this recipe with your friends and family so they can enjoy this delicious treat too!
Thank you for reading and happy cooking.
You Might Also Like These Recipes!
- Funnel Cake Shake Recipe (Copycat version)
- Mango Margarita Recipe of Texas Roadhouse
- Strawberry Cheesecake Shake with Herbalife
Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.