The ritual of hot chocolate is nothing new: even the Aztecs enjoyed a rich cocoa-based drink for sacred ceremonies and festive occasions. Today, gourmet hot chocolate is often considered a once-in-a-while indulgence—but with a few clever tweaks, you can prepare two equally indulgent yet lighter options: Light Hot Chocolate – a guilt-free cuddle in a cup Vegan Hot Chocolate – for those avoiding animal products without sacrificing taste Light Hot Chocolate Recipe Don’t let the word “light” fool you: this version is just as velvety, smooth, and delicious as the classic! The secret lies in using high-quality cocoa, which delivers a bold, rich flavour even without sweeteners. Difficulty: Very easyPrep time: 10 minutesServes: 1 cup Ingredients 10 g Venchi unsweetened cocoa powder 10 g cornflour 250 ml milk Method Sift the Venchi cocoa powder and cornflour into a small saucepan. Add milk a little at a time, whisking thoroughly to dissolve any lumps. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly until just below boiling point. Remove from heat and pour into your favourite cup. For a thicker consistency: extend cooking by 1 minute.Want it even lighter? Replace milk with water for a more delicate—but still indulgent—texture. For a gourmet twist, try adding a dash of mint syrup and a few fresh mint leaves for a refreshing after-dinner drink. Calories? Unsweetened cocoa (10 g): ~107 kcal Whole milk (250 ml): ~80 kcalMint syrup: ~250 kcal per 100 g—but you only need a drop! Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe The base recipe stays the same with a few small adjustments: Swap milk for an unsweetened plant-based drink with a delicate taste—soy milk works best as it thickens easily and creates a creamy texture; rice milk is a sweeter alternative. Boost indulgence by adding Venchi Vegan Chocolate for extra silkiness. Difficulty: Very easyPrep time: 10 minutesServes: 1 cup Ingredients 50 g Venchi vegan chocolate 10 g unsweetened cocoa powder 10 g cornflour 250 ml soy or rice milk Method: Chop the vegan chocolate into fine pieces and melt in a bain-marie. Set aside. In a small pan, whisk cocoa powder and cornflour with the plant milk. Heat gently until the mixture thickens, then incorporate the melted chocolate, stirring continuously to prevent sticking. Remove just before boiling and serve immediately. Perfect Pairings for Your Hot Chocolate On its own, this light or vegan treat is pure bliss—but if you want to indulge:✔ Sprinkle with Venchi cocoa powder, cinnamon, or crushed almonds✔ For an elegant pairing, serve with a scoop of Venchi Azteco gelato or a slice of homemade cake
