European-Style Sipping Chocolate Recipe (For Serious Cacao Lovers Only!)

Before going down this chocolatey road, be advised that this recipe is not for your run-of-the-mill hot cocoa. This European-style drinking chocolate (or "sipping chocolate") and is for serious cacao lovers only. I mean, it's for those who like their chocolate dark (at least 70% cacao) and who can happily inhale an entire bar in one sitting. Do I still have your attention? Perfect. Firstly, I'm not sure whether to categorize this as a food or a beverage, as it's so thick you may even choose to spoon it up rather than sip it. Also, I should mention that it differs from the traditional European recipe in that it isn't thickened by cornstarch (too carby!), but by adding half & half to the milk and evaporating off some of the liquid. The result is an intense, rich, and seriously decadent chocolate sipping experience. Oh, and did I mention that it's low-carb and low-sugar? Guilt-free decadence!

Sugar-free, low-carb European-style drinking chocolate.

Tip

Not a low carber? Simply use regular sugar instead of sweetener. Or you can use bittersweet chocolate bars and add additional sugar (if needed) to taste.

Things You’ll Need

  • 1 ½ cups whole milk

  • ½ cup half & half

  • ¼ cup sweetener (I used Lakanto Classic)

  • 3 ½ ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder (optional)

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 to 3 pinches of sea salt

Step 1

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine milk and half & half. Place over medium-low heat and stir.

Heating milk and half & half in saucepan for low-carb, drinking chocolate.

Step 2

Add sweetener and stir to dissolve.

Adding sweetener to milk and half & half in saucepan for low-carb, drinking chocolate.

Step 3

Once the sweetener is dissolved, add the chopped chocolate and stir it in.

Adding chocolate to milk and half & half in saucepan for low-carb, drinking chocolate.

Step 4

If using chili powder and cinnamon, add them in immediately after stirring in the chocolate, then continue simmering until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is thickened and smooth.

Adding optional chili powder and cinnamon to low-carb, drinking chocolate.

You'll know it's done once it coats the back of a spoon.

Thickened low-carb drinking chocolate coating the back of a spoon.

Step 5

Remove from heat, then add vanilla extract and 2 to 3 pinches of sea salt. Stir to incorporate.

Adding vanilla to low-carb, drinking chocolate. Adding pinches of sea salt to low-carb, drinking chocolate.

Step 6

Your chocolate is nearly ready to sip (or spoon!). To serve, strain in equal portions into small mugs.

Straining low-carb, drinking chocolate into a mug to serve.

This recipe makes 4 to 5 servings — depending on how much you can drink in one sitting!

Sugar-free, low-carb European-style drinking chocolate.

You can sip/spoon it up as is, top with whipped cream and cocoa powder, or even use it as a dipping sauce.

Sugar-free, low-carb European-style drinking chocolate.

However you take it, it's best enjoyed savored slowly on a cold and wintry morning (or eve!) while reminiscing about life's happiest moments.

Sugar-free, low-carb European-style drinking chocolate.

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