July 1, 2013

Let's make frrrozen hot chocolate

For this upcoming Independence Day, might I suggest that your celebration include a frosty glass of frozen hot chocolate?
That would be "Frrrozen hot chocolate" because this is the drink made famous  by Serendipity 3 in New York City.  It's been a while but I've been there a few times - waiting on those long lines - for this very concoction!  There have been times I've scratched my head wondering why we endured the wait.  But it all comes down to their frozen hot chocolate because I can barely remember what I actually ate there.  If you're a chocolate lover like I am, it is impossible to resist, and it's as good as it looks.  
At the restaurant, the frrrozen hot chocolate comes to you overflowing in a round, wide glass goblet.  Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, a few straws are tucked into it because it's meant for sharing.  It might seem huge at first but you quickly realize you could easily down one of them all by yourself.

The recipe for Serendipity 3's frrozen hot chocolate has been around for years...maybe you've already made it yourself?  It was first published in their book in 2004.  But what can I say?  I didn't even get a blender until late last year!  But better late than never and I will likely be making up for lost time with many batches of frozen hot chocolate for years to come.  

So you might be wondering if this recipe is the real deal - the "same" drink as the signature one that arrives at your table at Serendipity 3.  Well...it's fantastically close if my memory serves me right (the last time I went there was probably 4 years ago; we have a picture the little one and I slurping away together).  But you know how it is...things tend to taste differently when someone else prepares it for you and there are bound to be some differences.  Maybe that's why my husband says the one I made was better than what he remembered having at Serendipity.  I am well aware that he would say that though!
There's more for refills...
And the recipe does leave room for interpretation that will inevitably make your frozen hot chocolate different from mine and the one at the restaurant.  It's the chocolate.  The recipe calls for a total of 3 ounces of your favorite chocolates (any mix) and does not disclose what blend or brand the restaurant uses.  So that, along with the kind of milk you use, will create different results.  I used a combination of milk, semi and bittersweet chocolates (just chocolates I like to eat) and 1% milk for my version.  All I can tell you is it made one delicious drink that's sure to satisfy the chocoholic!  

The recipe makes a lot - enough to generously serve 2 thirsty, chocolate-loving adults, or up to 3 or 4 more "normal" individuals.  I say it's perfect for 2!  I hope you give it a try!

Happy 4th of July!  


I have to say that my blender has turned out to be a major workhorse and an appliance I wish we'd gotten much sooner than last year (at year-end, Christmas, at that)!  Remember my "mock mocha frap"?  I have been making them religiously several times a week - no lie!  The combination of coffee, chocolate in icy cold form really hits the spot these days.  That's still my regular drink of choice but this frrrozen hot chocolate is a great treat for special occasions.

You might think it's too rich for the summer but it's really not - at least not for us.  I use 1 1/2 cups of 1% low-fat milk and with 3 cups of ice thrown in, the richness from those 3 ounces of chocolate really mellow out.  Yes, the whipped cream does add more richness but that's optional.

Start with the chocolate.  The recipe actually calls for "6 half-ounce pieces of your favorite chocolates".  Is it me or is that a little confusing?  Basically, you need 3 ounces of good chocolate that you'd like to eat; I suppose their wording implies it's good to use a variety (like they do) and to use high-quality chocolate you'd snack on.  I used a mix of chocolates - I have plenty of chocolate stashed around my house at all times so not a problem here!
The only other interesting thing that surprised me about the recipe was the 2 teaspoons of store-bought hot chocolate mix.  I suspect using hot chocolate mix instead of cocoa provides some kind of thickening but I'm not sure if I'm over thinking it.  

All you do is first melt the chocolate in a double boiler, then stir in the hot chocolate mix and 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar.  Then, add 1/2 cup of the milk and mix together.  Stir to blend as much as possible but it's likely to be a bit grainy still if you're using a good amount of dark chocolate.  Since everything gets whirled in the blender, there's no need to worry about it.  
You can make the chocolate mixture in advance and leave it at room temperature.  To make the drink, just pour the mixture into the blender with another cup of milk and 3 cups of ice.  

Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.  Not absolutely necessary but oh-so-good and makes it just all the more special.
I love to eat chocolate but sometimes, it's really good to drink your chocolate too!


Recipe:

Serendipity 3's Frrozen Hot Chocolate
From epicurious

- Serves 2 very generously -

3 ounces of a variety of your favorite chocolates (I used milk and dark chocolates that I enjoy eating)
2 teaspoons store-bought hot chocolate mix
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups milk (I used 1% low-fat milk)
3 cups ice
For topping: whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Place chocolate pieces in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of just simmering water.  Stir together until just melted.  Add hot chocolate mix and sugar, stirring to combine.  Carefully remove bowl from the heat and gently stir in 1/2 cup of the milk.  Stir until as smooth as you can get it.  Set mixture aside to cool to room temperature.

To make drink, place the chocolate mixture, remaining cup of milk, and ice into the blender.  Blend on high (or according to manufacturer's instructions) until smooth.  Pour into large glass(es) and top with some whipped cream and chocolate shavings.  Pop some straws in it and take a long sip.  Enjoy!




41 comments:

  1. Me me me!!! I am a chocolate lover like you! ;) This sounds sooooo good! I can use one right now to cool me off. :)

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  2. Oh my goodness YES! I have always wanted to make this at home. Can't wait to try! :)

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    1. Same here...I'm glad I did and hope you do too!

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  3. Do you know I STILL haven't been to Serendipity despite the fact that I live 10 blocks away? I really should remedy that...although it looks like I don't have to now that you've given me the best recipe they've got ;) I'll be trying this soon for sure!!!

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    1. I don't blame you, Amy. Who wants to wait on that line and - to be honest - the place and food isn't something to scream about. But I do love the drink! Do try this at home some time. : )

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  4. Oh how I wish I had this drink to sip on right now! Love that it's full of chocolate goodness and whipped cream! It looks so refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day:) Thanks for sharing Monica, my hubby would be over the moon if he came home to this, can't wait to make it:)

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    1. The guys in my family were very happy with this! Whipped cream and chocolate shavings look so good here but you could totally skip it, use low-fat milk and not feel guilty.

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  5. Wow - I am in love. This sipping dessert sounds amazing! I going to make this one! Love it - thanks for sharing. I also love your stories, you are a gifted writer and anybody that scans your blog without reading every word is missing out! Hope you have a wonderful week.

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    1. My goodness, Tricia - thank you so much for those kind words! That is really so sweet of you. I think you must have me confused with someone else though! : )

      You know I do try to edit myself here because I tend write the way I talk...i.e., too wordy, repetitive, with lots of run-on sentences and grammatical errors. In my first English lit class in college, the professor told me my writing was very "erratic" (he was worried I'd confuse it with another word since he spoke with a British "accent") and I totally understand what he meant. I'm a little all over the place. But thank you for stopping by and for the compliment. xo

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  6. I love frozen hot chocolate! Yum!

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  7. This frozen hot chocolate is just perfect for our weather...delicious!
    Have a great week Monica :D

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  8. I've actually never been to Serendipity because the line is always just insane! But now i can just make this at home and drink it curled up in bed. WIN.

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    1. Yes, it's a major turnoff when they tell you the wait is like 90 minutes or something crazy. Not sure it's worth it.

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  9. An indulgent summer treat! Love it!

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  10. Oh this looks suuuper yummy, especially on a hot summer day! I'm so jealous of all the delicious shops you have in New York! (:

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    1. There is definitely everything in NYC! So much to eat, so little time and space...

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  11. Oh yes indeedy, I could SO go for a refreshing, chocolaty drink like this today! It looks so delicious, Monica!

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    1. Thanks, Georgia! It'd be great with one of your pesto pizzas...ahhh...

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  12. To be honest Monica, I have never drank a whole glass of chocolate drink but after reading your post I am suddenly craving for it. Looks very refreshing and delicious!

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    1. haha - I hope I'm not turning you over to the "dark side", Balvinder. It's actually not that rich, particularly if you opt out of the cream.

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  13. Frozen hot chocolate? Yes, please!! I'd like a glass (or two) right now... :)

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    1. My fellow-chocoholic, I think you would enjoy one of these. : )

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  14. I heard about the famous Frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity but I've never been there so I wouldn't know how it tasted. I have my own recipe for frozen hot chocolate too (made from homemade chocolate mix) and it was good. Guess I'll have to try your version too. hehe....looks really good and I love the chocolate shavings on top. Way to go!

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    1. I'm sure your version is even better, Amy! I'll have to check it out.

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  15. I would LOVE to try frozen hot chocolate! The days are getting so much hotter now, I think I would make this everyday

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    1. So hot and humid at this end, Cathleen. The blender is working overtime!

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  16. i STILL don't have a blender, so. :) well, i had one at some point, but it got thrown out and never replaced due to to many other things i could blend up things with. I'm trying this in one of those appliances, for sure!

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    1. Shannon, I didn't get a blender til last Christmas. Never thought I'd use it much (I have a food processor) but boy, was I wrong. I'm making mocha fraps almost daily and saving so much money! It was a good investment for sure.

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  17. Cool to see this! I have tried these kinds of drinks, and actually am not a big fan of liquid chocolate. But, yours looks beautiful and it's good to know it's close to the original for people to recreate!

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    1. Given a choice, I'd prefer to *eat* my intake of chocolate as well...but this really is rather delicious. I'm a sucker for anything really icy. : )

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  18. Ok, now I really have to stop thinking about it and buy a new blender! I live in a house full of chocoholics and this will be a major hit with them! Our old blender wasn't working well on chopping ice cubes so I decided to retire it from the kitchen and use it to make mole repelent ( red pepper, dish soap, castor oil). The plan was to buy a new one for the kitchen right away. Years have gone by with no new blender. The Ninja I bought broke the first time I used it making salad dressing! What kind of blender do you have? I really could use a daily dose of liquid chocolate. :)

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    1. Wendy - I never thought I'd make much use of a blender but it has turned out to be a real workhorse! Between the mocha frappucinos and using it for making dutch baby pancake batter or this drink here, I've gotten my money's worth. I just have a basic "Kitchen Aid" blender and it crushes ice/does the jobs beautifully so far. I cannot see myself spending hundreds and hundreds on one of those Vitamix blenders (though I'm sure it's magical) so I'm really glad what I have is doing a good job for me. Thanks!

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  19. I am 100% making this. I'm not going out in the heat or waiting in line, I will make it right in my kitchen! THANK YOU!

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    1. Love your enthusiasm! You've got me wanting to make another batch soon! : )

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    2. I am drinking this right now, I used salted caramel hot chocolate. I made 2, one for me and one for my husband and all I hear is him slurping his straw across the room. It's really good!

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    3. Pamela - you go girl!! Salted caramel hot chocolate sounds good! And thank you for letting me know you made it. I'm so glad you and your hubby enjoyed it. My husband was like "this is one of the best drink you've ever made..." and happily slurping his the other day as well. Thanks again!

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  20. So enticing! I love the movie and NYC but have never tried it. I will have to make a point of making this now. Thanks!

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    1. Hope you try it. Nothing bad about it, that's for sure! : )

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