Josephine’s Hot Chocolate

Josephine's Hot Chocolate

Discover cooking with LavenderLavender was the secret ingredient in the nightcap Josephine created for Napoleon. Not only delicious, this drink always seemed to put Napoleon in a “romantic” mood. Serve on Valentine’s Day and add a small amount of liqueur for a special touch. Josephine added an ounce of coffee to her potion. This excerpt has been reprinted with permission from Discover Cooking with Lavender: Fresh & Flavorful Recipes, published by Florentia Press, 2010

 

3 cups whole milk or half-and-half
2 teaspoons dried lavender buds
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
 
1. Pour milk into a medium saucepan and stir in lavender buds. Set over medium heat and bring just to a boil.
 
2. Remove mixture from heat and steep for 3 to 5 minutes, or longer for a stronger lavender flavor.
 
3. Strain the milk to remove the lavender buds, and then pour the milk back into the saucepan. With the saucepan over medium heat, whisk in the chopped chocolate until melted and smooth.
 
4. Whisk in the cocoa powder, sugar and salt; remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.
 
5. Divide among coffee mugs. Top with whipped cream or homemade marshmallow. (Kathy includes a recipe in the book.)