Do you have a favorite hot beverage for a cold winter morning? Hot cocoa? Mulled cider? How does Earl Grey-Lavender Hot Chocolate sound? Granted, it is not for the faint of heart…a decadent, chocolaty drink with a wonderfully fragrant lavender and Earl Grey flavor combination.

When I saw a recipe for Earl Grey-Lavender Hot Chocolate in last month’s giveaway book, I knew I needed to give it a try. (Click here for more on Winter Cocktails by Maria Del Mar Sacasa.) I love using the flavor of Earl Grey in desserts and I love the flavor pairing of lavender and hot chocolate.

How do I know this?  Because I adore the hot chocolate with lavender foam served at Chocopologie in Norwalk, Connecticut!  So, if you like these flavors as much as I do, you need to give this recipe a try!  I’m calling it my ‘snow day hot chocolate!’  (Remember the Earl Grey cream puffs?  Or, the Earl Grey creme brulee?  Click on name to see!)

Yes, it is a little more work than a traditional hot cocoa to make, but creating something wonderful in the kitchen is what snow days are all about, right? This is a wonderfully hot, chocolaty treat to enjoy slowly on one of those days when you are housebound and enjoying the slow pace of a snow day!

Earl Grey-Lavender Hot Chocolate – Serves 4
½ cup dried edible lavender flowers
½ cup loose Earl Grey tea
4 cups whole milk
4 Tab unsalted butter
½ cup natural cocoa powder
3 Tab packed dark brown sugar
6 oz. finely chopped bittersweet chocolate
Pinch salt
1 Tab vanilla extract

Bring lavender, tea and milk to a simmer in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let steep 15 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and discard solids. Wipe out saucepan.

In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and brown sugar and whisk together until a paste forms. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in chocolate and salt and cook, stirring, until chocolate is completely melted.

Notes: If you haven’t used lavender in cooking before, be sure to use culinary-grade lavender. I found containing the Earl Grey and lavender in a spice bag created a smoother drink texture and eliminated the need for a sieve. Don’t plan on accompanying this drink with a pastry or biscuit – it is a dessert all on its own!

Hope you enjoy this cold weather treat! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to find pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with French Country Cottage, Kim Klassen Friday Finds,  Sand & Sisal, Elizabeth & Co., and Coastal Charm.