Salted Maple Hot Chocolate

5 minutes preparation, plus 8-10 minutes cooking · Serves 2

smooth dark hot chocolate with maple and a quiet touch of sea salt

Rain at the window. Chocolate in the mug.

A note from Essy: Warm the mugs with hot water while the chocolate cooks. It keeps the drink hot for longer without boiling the milk; pour the water away and dry the mugs just before serving.

Ingredients

• 20 g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 500 ml whole milk or lactose-free whole milk
• 50 g dark chocolate, approximately 70% cocoa, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup, approximately 30 ml
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp fine sea salt

Method

1. Put the cocoa powder into a medium saucepan. Add 3 tbsp of the measured milk and whisk until completely smooth and glossy, with no dry pockets of cocoa remaining.
2. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk. Set the pan over medium-low heat and warm for 5-6 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the milk is steaming and hot but not boiling.
3. Lower the heat. Add the chopped dark chocolate, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt. Whisk for 2-3 minutes, until the chocolate has melted and the drink is completely smooth.
4. Taste carefully. The chocolate should come first, followed by a soft maple note and a clean, subtle salt finish. Do not add more salt before tasting a full spoonful.
5. Divide between two warmed mugs and serve immediately.

Chocolate first, maple second. The salt should only whisper.

• Best:Serve immediately in two warmed mugs.
• Keep:Refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours. Reheat gently over low heat while whisking; do not boil.
• Allergens:Contains milk with dairy milk and standard milk-containing chocolate. Use lactose-free whole milk when needed; always check the chocolate packaging.

• ♡ Whisk the cocoa into a glossy paste first.
• ♡ Let chocolate lead; maple should stay quiet.
• ♡ Steam the milk, but never let it boil.

Written by Esther

Esther is a photographer and storyteller, and the founder of Essy's Essentials - a seasonal home for stories, rituals, recipes and everyday luxuries.

Published 30 August 2026 · Updated 3 August 2026

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