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OK, I only had this once while living in NYC. Frozen Hot Chocolate is the trademark dessert at the Serendipity Restaurant. It has been there forever (Maybe you saw the movie of the same name with Kate Beckensale and John Cusack?). What I remember most is that it was Christmas time and freezing outside, yet my friends and I sat there drinking/eating our Frozen Hot Chocolate and it was wonderful! You’ll see lots of recipes on line but for my version, I went with a couple of different, high-quality chocolate powders and yes, I did use Lankanto sugar substitute and skim milk!!!! I know, I know… why mess with a classic that uses real sugar and whole milk? Well, just to cut some of those calories and get rid of most of the sugar. But would it actually taste good? Oh, yes it does!!!! The ice thickens it up and I left real whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings on top for some of the full fat/sugar experience.

Don’t like the idea? Just use real sugar and whole milk (same quantities) and you’ll be good. I also use a cup of frozen coffee ice cubes. I’m not sure if that is in the original recipe or not but it definitely adds a richness that you are going to love. Coffee and chocolate are just a match in heaven and this really works. I just pour cooled coffee into an ice tray and freeze overnight. It is perfect for this drink but also try those frozen coffee cubes in my Hazelnut Caramel Iced Coffee too.

I think the reason this drink/dessert gets so much buzz is because of the name… Frozen Hot Chocolate. Definitely a contradiction but it does lure you in. I’m sitting in Califorina in 107 degree weather as I write, test and yes eat/drink this dessert and it is hitting all the notes. Cold, refreshing, delicious and the chocolate is rich.

A note on the chocolate powders. You can easily find Hershey’s powder at the grocery store but I do recommend mixing it with a richer more decadent chocolate powder. In this recipe, I used Valrhona cocoa powder because it is probably one of the richest and best known chocolates around, but you could also use Ghiradelli, Guittard, Sharfren Berger, or other local brands. Don’t have any of those, try Hershey’s straight up!

I also played with the recipe a bit, and added a shot or two of flavored liquors. My guests loved that! Anything you might use in hot chocolate would be great in this. Peppermint schnapps around Christmas with some candy cane dust on top would be fabulous. Really into chocolate? A Chocolate Liquor would be amazing.

Give this a try and when in the Big Apple, stop by Serendipity for the original. HELPFUL HINT: you need to make a reservation. If going at Christmas time, make that reservation months in advance, Yes, it is that good.

Like this drink and looking for other fun coffee drinks? Do try the Cold Brew, Cherry and Almond Delight. Yummo!