It’s November here in Boston and the crispness of fall has very abruptly given way to the harsh unforgiving wind of winter. As someone with lots of hair and an extremely slight tolerance for winter temperatures, this is not the best time of year for me. I will often make hot drinks just to hold them in my hands in an effort to keep warm. And I’m more likely to drink that hot beverage if it has a splash of booze in it.
The drink this month is Some Like It Hot, a spicy hot chocolate (or drinking chocolate, if you’re feeling fancy). It’s rich, warm, and has plenty of spice that you can vary depending on how spicy you like things. I’ve had some hardcore chocolate cravings and this really hit the spot, especially while sitting on the couch with a very thick blanket.
We’re huge fans of Elizabeth Hoyt here at the Bitchery and many of the Maiden Lane books leave us feeling warm and fuzzy, much like a cup of hot chocolate, so the featured book is Duke of Pleasure, the eleventh book in the Maiden Lane series. The heroine often disguises herself as a man, which immediately made me think of the movie, Some Like It Hot, with the poorly disguised Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. There are also assassins and spying, which add some great intensity to the historical romance.
I think longtime fans of the series will really enjoy this one!
Shopping list
Chili Chocolate Kahlua
Milk
Chocolate
Brown Sugar
Vanilla extract
Proportions for 1 serving
1 1/2 cup milk
2 oz chocolate – chopped
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup of Kahlua
Pinch of salt
Directions
- Chop up chocolate; the smaller the better!
- Throw milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt into a pot.
- Heat on low-medium until bubbles form around the edges of the pot, stirring occasionally.
- Turn the heat off and add the chopped up chocolate and Kahlua.
- Whisk in chocolate until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Garnish your mug with chocolate chili sugar, if available.
- Pour into your favorite hot chocolate mug and top with some marshmallows!
Modifications and notes
- For an even richer hot chocolate, use half and half in place of milk.
- I used brown sugar as a sweetener, but feel free to substitute with something else, like honey.
- Chili Chocolate Kahlua is a limited seasonal flavor, so you may have trouble finding it.
- You can make the hot chocolate and really add any booze you prefer.
- For the chocolate, I used 70% cocoa from Lindt, which is a smooth dark chocolate. If dark chocolate is too bitter for you, use milk chocolate!
- If it’s too spicy, use less Kahlua. Not spicy enough, use more!
*The bourbon barrel chocolate chili sugar is from Spiced Up! It’s a subscription box spice service and I highly recommend it for those who love experimenting in the kitchen. They also have rubs for meat and include recipes for the spices they send.
The chocolate chili sugar was sent to us as a sample, and boy, are we thankful. (Do not make the same mistake I did and smell it after opening the package, because my nose did not appreciate that.) You can order the chocolate chili sugar individually online from spicedup.rocks.
If you’re interested, we have promo codes!
Use code Freebie16 to get a “Surprise Spice Sample” and, of course, FREE SHIPPING!
Or you can buy a Swizzler for 1/2 Price. Regularly $10 for ONLY $5. USE CODE: SB16
Drink up and I hope our US readers have a great Thanksgiving!
This sounds lovely, the only ingredient not to hand is the flavored Kahlua, but I do have the regular kind. I’m contemplating round three of Thanksgiving dishes and this might make the whole post Holiday recleaning go down a bit easier.
WANT! Hmm trying to keep my book budget resolution is hard, so very hard (see what i did there)
I made the mulled wine from the comfort foods post for my mom yesterday. It was delicious and warm. 😀 I’m totes going to have to try this hot chocolate when I go home to Florida for Christmas. I bet my sister in law will love it.
This sounds just fabulous. Off to get some Kahlua…
Oooh, this sounds so yummy. I might have to try it with my sister next week!