Curl up and pour yourself a mug of Orange Hot Chocolate Hug in a Mug — because ordinary hot chocolate just isn’t invited tonight.
This dreamy little number swirls together silky, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate with a bright kiss of zesty orange, creating that “wait… why is this so good?” moment from the very first sip. It’s rich, it’s citrusy, it’s basically a chocolate orange in liquid form — and yes, it tastes as magical as that sounds.
Perfect for frosty evenings, festive catch-ups, or those “I deserve something indulgent” nights, this beauty comes together in under five minutes. Fast, fabulous, and far from basic.
One sip and you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain hot chocolate. Your taste buds? Officially obsessed.
Prepare
Cook
Serving
Ingredients
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¼ cup dark chocolate, chopped into melty little shards of joy (about 2 oz.)
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1 cup almond milk (or whatever milk you’re loyal to — no judgment here)
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1 tablespoon cocoa powder, for that deep chocolatey drama
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1 tablespoon cane sugar, because balance is everything
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¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, the quiet hero of the mug
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2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice, bright and zingy
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2–3 strips of orange peel, for that aromatic citrus glow-up
Basically: chocolate + sunshine + five minutes of your time = elite cosy energy.
Method
Place a saucepan over medium heat and add the dark chocolate and almond milk. Stir gently as the chocolate melts into silky submission — no rushing, no scorching, just smooth, glossy magic forming in front of you.
Once everything is melted and velvety, lower the heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder, cane sugar, vanilla, fresh orange juice, and those fragrant strips of orange peel. The aroma alone? Ridiculous.
Let the mixture gently simmer on low for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then, allowing the citrus to infuse and the flavours to deepen into something truly indulgent.
Remove from the heat and strain out the peel if you like a smoother finish. Pour into your favourite mug.
Top with a cloud of whipped cream, a sprinkle of dark chocolate shavings, or even a little extra orange zest if you’re feeling dramatic.
Then wrap your hands around it, take that first sip, and try not to make an audible “mmm.” No promises though.
Helpful Tips
Choose a high-quality dark chocolate for the best results. The better the chocolate, the deeper and silkier your hot chocolate will taste. Lower-quality varieties often contain extra stabilisers that can melt poorly and leave a slightly waxy texture.
This is one of those recipes where the chocolate really is the star — so it’s worth picking one you’d happily eat straight from the bar. Your mug will taste noticeably richer for it.
Discover more from Table No. 7
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