Frozen Hot Chocolate
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Hot chocolate is one of my absolute favorite things about winter. Whether it’s shopping the outlets on Black Friday, stopping into Starbucks, or taking in a hockey game, hot chocolate is always my drink of choice. Naturally, I don’t tend to drink it during the warmer summer months, but throw a hot chocolate mixture into a blender with some ice and, voila! Like its frappuccino cousin, frozen hot chocolate is a slushy blend that tastes exactly like hot chocolate, but… it’s ice-cold. Genius!
I have been hearing raves from other food bloggers about the best frozen hot chocolate they’ve ever had, hailing from a little place in New York City called Serendipity. Any girl who was a teenager during the late 80′s or 90′s likely watched the movie Say Anything over and over, and over, again. Rewinding the scene where John Cusack holds a boombox above his head blaring Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” was absolutely par for the course. If you can’t ever hear that song without being taken back to your high school years, chances are that years later you soaked up another John Cusack film called Serendipity. A few scenes in that movie take place at the actual sweet shop in NYC, which is how I knew about the spot. I have yet to make my way there while in New York, but hearing all of the chatter about it led me to trying out a replica recipe for their signature frozen hot chocolate. I made a couple of little tweaks and think it’s an absolutely wonderful summertime version of my favorite winter drink!
The beauty of this recipe is its ability to be completely customized based on your preferences. You can use whatever type of chocolate you like; I used a blend of milk, semisweet and dark, but you could use all of one type, or even white chocolate, if you prefer. I threw in Ovaltine because (1) I had some in the pantry already, thanks to the Chocolate Buttercream-Frosted Brownies; and (2) I just adore that slight malt flavor that it gives to chocolate. You can use your favorite hot cocoa mix in place of the Ovaltine, if you’d like. The milk is totally forgiving, so throw in whatever you keep on your refrigerator door – skim, 1%, 2%, whole, even chocolate milk if you want an extra kick of chocolate flavor!
I love everything about this drink-slash-dessert. You can slurp it with a straw or enjoy it with a spoon. It’s part slushy, part granita. It also reminds me a little bit of a Frosty from Wendy’s, although with a little more ice. The chocolate flavor imitates a hot chocolate perfectly; it’s a phenomenal summer drink, especially for those of us who have already begun the countdown to cooler fall days. Who’s with me?!
One year ago: Everything Bagels
Two years ago: Homemade Pop-Tarts
Three years ago: Better-than-Brownies Chocolate Cookies
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Yield: 2 to 3 large servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
3 ounces chocolate (milk, semisweet or dark), finely chopped
4½ teaspoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons Ovaltine
1½ cups milk, divided
3 cups iceDirections:
1. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl set over a saucepan with about 1 inch of barely simmering water (keep the heat on low). Stir the chocolate occasionally, until it is completely melted and smooth. Add the sugar and Ovaltine and whisk to combine completely. Remove from the heat and slowly whisk in ½ cup of the milk until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
2. In a blender, place the remaining 1 cup of milk, the chocolate mixture and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and slushy. Pour into servings glasses and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
(Recipe adapted from Epicurious)
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Ovaltine – love it, what memories!
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Emily on August 6th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
I was just wondering if you could use the hot chocolate packets instead of Ovaltine?
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Michelle on August 9th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Hi Emily, Yes, absolutely!
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Too funny – as soon as I saw the title of this post it made me think of Serendipity restaurant. There is a Serendipity in Miami Beach too – I went there for the first time last month and had a Oreo frozen hot chocolate – to die for!!!!
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I love hot chocolate too! This looks so tasty, I’ll definitely be trying this soon!!
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This is my fav drink ever – its totally amazing! Yours looks awesome!
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This looks so freaking tasty. Perfect for this scorching weather!
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Evan Walterdeen on August 8th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Oh, how right you are!
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My daughters are hot chocolate junkies!! I’m so going to surprise them with this after today’s trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo. YAY for frozen hot chocolate
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Michelle on July 28th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Aw, what a fun mom you are! Hope you had fun at the zoo; I’ve been wanting to go myself!
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I have enjoyed the Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity and was seated at the very same table as John Cusack in the movie. It is a fun place but be prepared to wait if you go. I can’t wait to try your version.
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I have never had Ovaltine but I just saw it at the store and debated about buying it. I could kick myself for not. I have to make your frozen treat!!
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Rhea Burke on August 1st, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Olvatine also comes in rich choc. If you dont like the malt flavor. Also we use hot cocoa packs and they come in all types flavors,and throw in a few mini marshmallows yum
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This looks wonderful! Definitely a great summer drink.
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its freezing here in Sydney at the moment but this still looks so tempting!
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YUM!!!
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I love hot chocolate, and I’ve never tried frozen hot chocolate. This is as good a time as any to give it a try!
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Anything made with Ovaltine has my vote. This looks ammaazziingg!
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Ooohh I am so making this!!! Great recipe!
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Oh this is great! I love hot chocolate. . .I need to try the frozen version!
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I remember Say Anything. I remember Serendipity and always thought that shop looked amazing. I’ll have to pin this to give it a try.
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Hi Michelle – Thanks for sharing your stories and recipes … they’re great! As a Weight Watcher, I’m wondering if I could substitute Truvia or Stevia for the sugar in the Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe? Again thanks!!
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Victoria on July 26th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Betty, I’m sorry but I couldn’t help saying that I’m a fellow weightwatcher! I’ve been on it for 3 years now, 1 year losing and 2 maintaining. I’ve lost 91lbs! (by the grace of God). Michelle: thank you SO much for this delicious recipe! I made it yesterday and added a bit of peppermint extract. So refreshing! I was so excited to see this recipe on your blog as I’ve been making my own for a long time.
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Betty on July 26th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Victoria – Did you use a substitute for the sugar? Wow .. losing 91 pounds .. thats inspiring!
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Michelle on July 28th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Hi Betty, Yes, I think you could use those substitutes without a problem. Enjoy!
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Having been to Serendipity a few times, I can say I’d rather have this tasty at home version than wait two hours for a table there!
They also had some health code issues recently, eww! But their sundaes are amazing and I’ll settle for a few mice as long as they aren’t in my ice cream!
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This sounds great – I think I heard somewhere that the calorie count on the real Frozen Hot Chocolate is through the roof… I love that you can make this a little “skinnier” by using non fat milk, or dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate (dark is totally healthier, right? Antioxidants!)
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Mmm I’ve been wanting hot chocolate but the thought of it when it’s this hot outside is a little unsettling. Tis looks very refreshing and delicious!
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I love this, and I love John Cusack. Thank you.
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Wonderful! One of my favorite drinks made for summer!
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Mmmm…frozen hot chocolate is the BEST! Looks delicious!!!
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This looks so good and perfect for this really hot summer!
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that sounds incredible! i’ll take a glass right now por favor!
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Making this tonight and sharing on my blog at http://www.praycookblog.com ! Thanks for the great idea.
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I’ve always wanted to make frozen hot chocolate because I LOVE hot chocolate so much and crave it year-round. I order frozen HC any chance I get. This looks awesome!
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I cannot wait to try this!!! This is my favorite drink, but have never been brave enough to attempt it.
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This looks amazing and COMPLETELY up my alley! Must try this!
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Looks delicious! And a little healthier than a milkshake
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OMG! I always wondered how to make frozen hot chocolate. It looks incredible and I think there is Redi Whip in my fridge!
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Will be trying this tonight with the hub and the kids!
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Yes Please!
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McDonalds has iced hot chocolate-but this sounds sooo much better. I do like malt flavor, too. Thanks for the recipe.
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Or if you are lazy like I am, you just buy the mix at Williams Sonoma. It’s the Serendipty mix too.
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I’ve been getting it at dunkin donuts, so delicious!
gonna try and make it using this.
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