Hot Chocolate

[birder53]

If you saw this movie (Johnny Depp was in it) do you remember how wonderful the hot chocolate was supposed to be? I thought the owner of the chocolate shop said the secret was a little chili pepper. Is there really such a drink? Anyone have a recipe?

[phaelon56]

It sounds very similar to

Mayan Hot Chocolate

I'd try following the recipe on the linked page but start out with a smaller amount of chili or just add a dash of some good chili powder. Prior to nosing around on this page I had always used the terms "hot cocoa" and "hot chocolate" interchangeably but obviously they are quite different from one another.

[Carolyn Tillie]

Saveur did an article on it (with recipe) several years ago but, alas, they have not put it online...

[docsconz]

Cafe Pascual's in santa Fe uses Ibarra Mexican chocolate to make something similar, although I'm not sure they have chili powder in it.

Antica Dolceria Bonajuto from Modica, Sicily makes little chocolates with peperoncini that are marvellous, although I cannot find them mentioned on their website. They are pictured, but apparently not offered for sale at Zingerman's. They do appear to be available at Nastasi Imports, although I know nothing of this merchant.The vanilla and cinammon chocolates are also wonderful and they are available at Zingerman's and Nastasi.

[Huevos del Toro]

This Mayan Hot Chocolate may just be what you're looking for. You can use either fresh chilis or chili powder. Sounds delicious! When you make it, please report!

edited to add: Drat! Phaelon upstaged me!

Edited December 8, 2003 by Huevos del Toro (log)

[docsconz]

Mariebelle in NYC also makes hot chocolate mixes that are excellent. They have a "Spicy" Hot chocolate in addition to the "Aztec" and others. These also make great chocolate pudding.

[edemuth]

Another one to try...

Jacques Torres' Hot Hot Chocolate mix

[birder53]

The Mayan Hot Chocolate sounds very seductive! I really enjoyed the brief history of hot chocolate that accompanied all the recipes. I'll report back when I've had a chance to try it - maybe this weekend! Thank you all for your replies.

[Stigand]

Something similar is also available from the Cool Chile stall in London's Borough Market.

[MHesse]

The Chocolate Bar (8th Ave and 12th St) serves a fine spiced hot chocolate.

[ludja]

The Mayan Hot Chocolate Recipe looks great---a gussied up version of the simplebut tasty technique of whirling Mexican Chocolate (like Ibarra) in a blender with hot milk (remember to loosen to top a bit before blending).

Whenever I make 'regular' hot chocolate, I add a pinch of cayenne and it is great!

[lia]

best hot chocolate ever:

choc-issimo

i make it very (almost too) thick and i always add a dash or two of cayenne.

[joiei]

The last really good chocolate I had was in San Miguel de Allende at San Agustin in San Miguel de Allende You had a choice of Mexican, American or French. The French was the best, at least I thought so.