Dark Cherry Hot Chocolate

Rich dark chocolate meets tart cherry in this luxurious hot chocolate that's perfect for cozy evenings. Photo by Amanda Rosenblatt.

Serves 4

Ingredients

For dark cherry syrup

1 cup dark cherries, (pitted, fresh or frozen)

½ cup turbinado sugar

½ cup water

½ teaspoon lemon juice

1 small piece cinnamon stick

For hot chocolate

4 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream (optional)

1 cup dark chocolate (60-70%, chips or bar)

3 ounces dark cherry syrup

3-4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

3-4 tablespoons sugar, to taste

Whipped cream, for serving

Dark cherries, for garnish

Instructions

To make dark cherry syrup: Combine cherries, cinnamon stick, sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, mashing cherries lightly with a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Strain through a fine strainer. Let cool, then transfer to a clean bottle or jar.

Over medium-low heat, add milk to a saucepan. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until dissolved. Once the milk is warm, add dark chocolate and whisk until combined. Stir in dark cherry syrup, tasting along the way to ensure correct sweetness.

To make boozy version: Add ½ ounce of Cherry Herring and ½ ounce of St. Augustine Rum to each individual serving.

To serve: Serve in a mug with whipped cream and a dark cherry.